raloksyfen

Raloksyfen is not a widely recognized chemical name in major pharmacological references. It may be a misspelling or variant spelling of raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) used in osteoporosis and breast cancer risk reduction.

Raloxifene is approved for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women at high risk. It is not approved for use in men for osteoporosis.

Mechanism: Raloxifene binds to estrogen receptors in bone, acting as an agonist to help maintain bone density, while acting as an antagonist in breast and uterine tissue, reducing cancer risk without stimulating the endometrium.

Administration: The usual dose is 60 mg taken once daily by mouth. It is metabolized in the liver and excreted primarily in the bile.

Safety: Common side effects include hot flashes and leg cramps. Serious risks include venous thromboembolism and, rarely, stroke. It is contraindicated in pregnancy and should be used with caution in individuals with a history of thromboembolic disease or significant hepatic impairment.

History and availability: Raloxifene was developed by pharmaceutical companies and marketed under the brand name Evista. It gained FDA approval for osteoporosis in 1997 and was later approved to reduce invasive breast cancer risk in 2007. It is available as a prescription medication in many countries. See also: tamoxifen, bazedoxifene.