Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). A SERM will act in some tissues by acting like estrogen but “selectively” have anti-estrogen qualities in others. What is marketed as Evista, Raloxifene is used to help prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Interestingly enough Evista can also be used to treat breast cancer as breast cancer metastases to bone.

Tamoxifen is a slightly older medication used to treat instances of breast cancer, and in 2006 the National Cancer Institute deemed raloxifene comparable to tamoxifen. As a result raloxifene was stated as being just as effective in breast cancer reduction as tamoxifen. Tamoxifen has a couple major adverse side effects; this fact as well as the FDA approval for raloxifene’s use to treat breast cancer that came in late 2007 has made raloxifene a first pick as treatment for breast cancer.

The known negative events associated with raloxifene include, hot flashes and leg cramps. In less common scenarios raloxifene has caused serious blood clots in the legs lungs and eyes. Others have experienced leg pain, vision changes, trouble breathing, or chest pain. Raloxifene is primarily used to treat postmenopausal women for osteoporosis but is a new pick in preventing invasive breast cancer.

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raloxifene