raloxifene

1 8.6

A drug that prevents weak bones and lowers the chance of breast cancer in women after menopause

noun
/rəˈlɒksɪfiːn/

Specialized

: raloxifeno

The doctor prescribed raloxifene to help prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Examples

Raloxifene was designed specifically to treat osteoporosis, and research has indicated some increase in bone density and a significant reduction in vertebral fractures (Ettinger et al., 1999).

Academic text (2002)
Raloxifene comes in an oral tablet that can be taken any time of the day.

Academic text (2002)
Raloxifene was the first in this class approved for treating osteoporosis.

Academic text (2007)
Raloxifene does not reduce cardiovascular events in postmenopausal women (Ensrud et al., 2006).

Academic text (2007)
Raloxifene does not control the vasomotor symptoms of menopause (hot flashes).

Academic text (2002)
Raloxifene significantly reduced breast cancer in patients using it for treatment of osteoporosis and in independent trials for patients who are at high risk for breast cancer (Vogel et al., 2006).

Academic text (2007)
For postmenopausal women at risk of breast cancer, raloxifene is often recommended as a preventive treatment.
Studies indicate that raloxifene effectively reduces the incidence of breast cancer in certain groups of women.

Surface Forms

raloxifene singular

raloxifenes plural

Etymology

Raloxifene is a modern medicine name made by scientists and it shares the ending -fene with similar drugs like tamoxifen, so a helpful way to remember it is to think of it as part of a group of medicines that act on hormones. That's why raloxifene is used to protect bones and lower the risk of breast cancer in women after menopause.