Evista/Raloxifene IS USED FOR:

Treating and preventing osteoporosis (bone thinning) in women past menopause.

Raloxifene/Evista is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). It prevents osteoporosis by building bone and stopping the thinning of bone that occurs in women after menopause.

Raloxifene/Evista is as effective as tamoxifen in reducing the incidence of breast cancer in certain high risk groups of females.

BEFORE USING Evista/Raloxifene :

Some medical conditions may interact with Raloxifene/Evista . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if your cholesterol and/or triglyceride levels increased when you took estrogens in the past
• if you are currently immobilized, have liver problems, congestive heart failure, or cancer, or have not passed menopause
• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Raloxifene/Evista . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anion exchange resins (eg, cholestyramine) because they may decrease the effectiveness of Raloxifene/Evista
• Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin/Coumadin) or thyroid hormones (eg, levothyroxine/Levothroid) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Raloxifene/Evista

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Raloxifene/Evista may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

HOW TO USE Evista/Raloxifene :

Use Raloxifene/Evista as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• If you miss a dose of Raloxifene/Evista , use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.
• An extra patient leaflet is available with Raloxifene/Evista . Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
• Take Raloxifene/Evista by mouth with or without food.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Raloxifene/Evista .

DO NOT USE Evista/Raloxifene IF:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Raloxifene/Evista
• you are pregnant, could become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• you are taking an anion exchange resin (eg, cholestyramine)
• you have or have had blood clots

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF Evista/Raloxifene :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Depression; gas; hot flashes; indigestion; joint pain; laryngitis; leg cramps; muscle pain; sleeplessness; stomach ache; vaginal irritation, redness, or swelling.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); abnormal vaginal bleeding or spotting; bladder inflammation; breast pain, tenderness, or enlargement; changes in vision; chest pain; coughing up blood; pain in the calves; shortness of breath; swelling of the hands, feet, or legs; unusual weight gain; urinary tract disorder; vaginal bleeding or discharge.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

• Raloxifene/Evista should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Raloxifene/Evista before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Do not use Raloxifene/Evista if you are pregnant. Avoid becoming pregnant while you are taking it. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. It is not known if Raloxifene/Evista is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Raloxifene/Evista .
• Being immobile for a long period of time while taking Raloxifene/Evista may increase your risk of blood clots. During long periods of travel, get up and move around as often as possible.
• It is important to have enough calcium/Phoslo and vitamin D in your diet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your diet or about taking dietary supplements, such as calcium/Phoslo or vitamin D.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.