Evista

Evista is used to treat and prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, as well as to reduce the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women, whether they have osteoporosis or not. It works by binding to estrogen receptors in the breast and by increasing bone mineral density. Evista comes in tablet form and is typically taken once a day. Side effects include hot flashes, joint pain, and flu-like symptoms.

 

What Is Evista?

Evista® (raloxifene hydrochloride) is a prescription medication approved for the following uses:
 
  • Preventing and treating osteoporosis in postmenopausal women
  • Reducing the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis
  • Reducing the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women who are at high risk for it.
     
(Click Evista Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

Who Makes Evista?

Evista is made by Eli Lilly and Company.
 

How Does Evista Work?

Evista belongs to a group of medications called selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). SERMs have both estrogenic (estrogen-like) effects and anti-estrogen effects. Evista has anti-estrogen effects on the breasts, while it has estrogen-like effects on bones (helping to strengthen them).
 
Many breast cancers are sensitive to the estrogen hormone, meaning that the tumor grows with the help of it. Evista binds to estrogen receptors in the breast, preventing the hormone from binding. By decreasing the effects of estrogen, Evista can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.
 

Effects of Evista

Evista has been evaluated in several studies for various uses.
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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