Raloxifene: What to Know Before You Take It

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Venous Thromboembolism : Increased risk of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and retinal vein thrombosis. Discontinue use 72 hours prior to and during prolonged immobilization. (5.1 , 6.1) Death Due to Stroke : Increased risk of death due to stroke occurred in a trial in postmenopausal women with documented coronary heart disease or at increased risk for major coronary events. No increased risk of stroke was seen in this trial. Consider risk-benefit balance in women at risk for stroke. (5.2 , 14.5) Cardiovascular Disease : Raloxifene hydrochloride should not be used for the primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. (5.3, 14.5) Premenopausal Women : Use is not recommended. (5.4) Hepatic Impairment : Use with caution. (5.5) Concomitant Use with Systemic Estrogens : Not recommended. (5.6) Hypertriglyceridemia : If previous treatment with estrogen resulted in hypertriglyceridemia, monitor serum triglycerides. (5.7) 5.1 Venous Thromboembolism In clinical trials, raloxifene hydrochloride-treated women had an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism). Other venous thromboembolic events also could occur. A less serious event, superficial thrombophlebitis, also has been reported more frequently with raloxifene hydrochloride than with placebo. The greatest risk for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism occurs during the first 4 months of treatment, and the magnitude of risk appears to be similar to the reported risk associated with use of hormone therapy. Because immobilization increases the risk for venous thromboembolic events independent of therapy, raloxifene hydrochloride should be discontinued at least 72 hours prior to and during prolonged immobilization (e.g., post-surgical recovery, prolonged bed rest), and raloxifene hydrochloride therapy should be resumed only after the patient is fully ambulatory. In addition, women taking raloxifene hydrochloride should be advised to move about periodically during prolonged travel. The risk-benefit balance should be considered in women at risk of thromboembolic disease for other reasons, such as congestive heart failure, superficial thrombophlebitis, and active malignancy [see Contraindications (4.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . 5.2 Death Due to Stroke In a clinical trial of postmenopausal women with documented coronary heart disease or at increased risk for coronary events, an increased risk of death due to stroke was observed after treatment with raloxifene hydrochloride. During an average follow-up of 5.6 years, 59 (1.2%) raloxifene hydrochloride-treated women died due to a stroke compared to 39 (0.8%) placebo-treated women (22 versus 15 per 10,000 women-years; hazard ratio 1.49; 95% confidence interval, 1 to 2.24; p=0.0499). There was no statistically significant difference between treatment groups in the incidence of stroke (249 in raloxifene hydrochloride [4.9%] versus 224 placebo [4.4%]). Raloxifene hydrochloride had no significant effect on all-cause mortality. The risk-benefit balance should be considered in women at risk for stroke, such as prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), atrial fibrillation, hypertension, or cigarette smoking [see Clinical Studies (14.5) ] . 5.3 Cardiovascular Disease Raloxifene hydrochloride should not be used for the primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. In a clinical trial of postmenopausal women with documented coronary heart disease or at increased risk for coronary events, no cardiovascular benefit was demonstrated after treatment with raloxifene for 5 years [see Clinical Studies (14.5) ] . 5.4 Premenopausal Use There is no indication for premenopausal use of raloxifene hydrochloride. Safety of raloxifene hydrochloride in premenopausal women has not been established and its use is not recommended. Additionally, there is concern regarding inadvertent drug exposure in pregnancy in women of reproductive potential who become pregnant, due to risk of fetal harm [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] . 5.5 Hepatic Impairment Raloxifene hydrochloride should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment. Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients with hepatic impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 5.6 Concomitant Estrogen Therapy The safety of concomitant use of raloxifene hydrochloride with systemic estrogens has not been established and its use is not recommended. 5.7 History of Hypertriglyceridemia when Treated with Estrogens Limited clinical data suggest that some women with a history of marked hypertriglyceridemia (>5.6 mmol/L or >500 mg/dL) in response to treatment with oral estrogen or estrogen plus progestin may develop increased levels of triglycerides when treated with raloxifene hydrochloride. Women with this medical history should have serum triglycerides monitored when taking raloxifene hydrochloride. 5.8 Renal Impairment Raloxifene hydrochloride should be used with caution in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment. Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 5.9 History of Breast Cancer Raloxifene hydrochloride has not been adequately studied in women with a prior history of breast cancer. 5.10 Use in Men There is no indication for the use of raloxifene hydrochloride in men. Raloxifene hydrochloride has not been adequately studied in men and its use is not recommended. 5.11 Unexplained Uterine Bleeding Any unexplained uterine bleeding should be investigated as clinically indicated. Raloxifene hydrochloride-treated and placebo-treated groups had similar incidences of endometrial proliferation [see Clinical Studies (14.1 , 14.2) ] . 5.12 Breast Abnormalities Any unexplained breast abnormality occurring during raloxifene hydrochloride therapy should be investigated. Raloxifene hydrochloride does not eliminate the risk of breast cancer [see Clinical Studies (14.4) ] .