Raloxifene

Diagram of the molecular structure of Raloxifene
Brand name: EVISTA®
IUPAC: [6-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)- benzothiophen-3-yl]- [4-[2-(1-piperidyl)ethoxy]phenyl] -methanone
FDA approval: Yes
Manufacturer Link
Usage:

Raloxifene is used in post-menopausal women who are at high risk of invasive breast cancer or have osteoporosis in order to reduce their risk. Studies are being done to test its usefulness of breast cancer prevention in certain pre-menopausaual women.1

  • 1Raloxifene. MedlinePlus. 2016. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698007.html
Mechanism:

Raloxifene binds to estrogen receptors, thereby blocking some estrogenic pathways and activating others.  Raloxifene works by blocking the effects of estrogen on breast tissue, which can stop the growth of cancer that feeds off estrogen.1

The diagram above shows the 3D molecular structure of Raloxifene.

 

  • 1Raloxifene. MedlinePlus. 2016. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698007.html
Side effects:

Common side effects include hot flashes, leg cramps, swelling, flu-like symptoms, joint pain, sweating.1

  • 1Raloxifene. MedlinePlus. 2016. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698007.html
Contraindications:

Women who have or have had blood clots in the legs, lung, or eyes should not take EVISTA®, as this treatment has the possibility of leading to blood clots or death by stroke.1

  • 1Raloxifene. MedlinePlus. 2016. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a698007.html