Do not take EVISTA:
- If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to raloxifene or any of the ingredients of EVISTA.
- If there is still a possibility that you can get pregnant, EVISTA could harm your unborn child.
- If you are being treated or have been treated for blood clots (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism or retinal vein thrombosis).
- If you have liver disease (examples of liver disease include cirrhosis, mild hepatic impairment or cholestatic jaundice).
- If you have any unexplained vaginal bleeding. This must be investigated by your doctor.
- If you have active uterine cancer, as there is insufficient experience of EVISTA use in women with this disease.
- If you have severe kidney problems.
Take special care with EVISTA
The following are reasons why this product may not be suitable for you. If any of them apply to you, talk to your doctor before you take the medicine.
- If you are immobilised for some time such as being wheel-chair bound, needing to be admitted to a hospital or having to stay in bed while recovering from an operation or an unexpected illness.
- If you are receiving oral oestrogen therapy.
- If you are suffering from breast cancer, as there is insufficient experience of EVISTA use in women with this disease.
- If you have had a cerebrovascular accident (e.g. stroke), or if your doctor has told you that you are at high risk of having one.
It is unlikely that EVISTA will cause vaginal bleeding. So any vaginal bleeding while you take EVISTA is unexpected. You should have this investigated by your doctor.
EVISTA does not treat postmenopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes.
EVISTA lowers total cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol. In general, it does not change triglycerides or HDL ("good") cholesterol. However, if you have taken oestrogen in the past and had extreme elevations in triglycerides, you should talk to your doctor before taking EVISTA.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
If you are taking digitalis medicines for your heart or anticoagulants like warfarin to thin your blood, your doctor may need to adjust your dose of these medicines.
Tell your doctor if you are taking cholestyramine which is mainly used as lipid-lowering medicine.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
EVISTA is for use only by postmenopausal women and must not be taken by women who could still have a baby. Evista could harm your unborn child.
Do not take EVISTA if you are breast-feeding as it might be excreted in mother's milk.
Driving and using machines
EVISTA has no known effects on driving or using machines.
Important information about some ingredients of EVISTA
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to lactose, a type of sugar, contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.