Raloxifene – Treatment of osteoporosis
Due to its mechanism of action, Raloxifene is only available as a treatment option for women who have experienced menopause. It is prescribed exclusively to women who have suffered a fracture as a result of osteoporosis and are at an increased risk of sustaining another fracture. This medication is likely to be considered only if you have previously attempted one of the more standard drug therapies, or if alternative treatments are not appropriate for your condition. Raloxifene is classified as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), which is a category of medication. What does raloxifene do and how does it work? Raloxifene uk can assist in strengthening your bones and lowering the likelihood of fractures, especially in the spinal region. Bones consist of living tissue. The interior of our bones is continuously undergoing a process of breakdown and reconstruction by specialized bone cells. Provided this process remains balanced, your bones will remain healthy and robust. However, if this process becomes unbalanced, our bodies may begin to deplete more bone than they generate. This imbalance can lead to weakened bones that are more susceptible to fractures. During a woman’s menopause, there is a reduction in the levels of the female sex hormone estrogen. Estrogen plays a crucial role in maintaining bone strength, so a decline in estrogen levels results in weaker bones. Raloxifene is not estrogen; however, it functions similarly to estrogen within your bones. This can help to slow down the deterioration of bone and contribute to maintaining bone strength. While taking raloxifene, it is still possible to sustain a fracture. If this occurs, it does not necessarily indicate that the medication is ineffective. No drug can prevent all fractures, but the use of raloxifene significantly reduces their likelihood. It is important to note that raloxifene is not a pain-relieving medication, and therefore, it will not alleviate the pain associated with broken bones. Nevertheless, there are alternative treatments and methods available for pain management. Who can take raloxifene? Raloxifene tablets could be an appropriate choice if you have experienced menopause and have previously sustained a fracture due to osteoporosis. Typically, it will only be considered if you have already attempted a conventional medication for your bone health, or if alternative medications are not appropriate for your situation. When is raloxifene not suitable to take? Raloxifene is not appropriate for individuals who: are male are female and have not yet experienced menopause suffer from significant liver or kidney issues have a history of blood clots are currently pregnant or nursing experience unexplained vaginal bleeding. There are additional circumstances in which raloxifene might not be appropriate. It is essential for your physician to review your individual risks and advantages with you, in order to determine whether raloxifene uk is the most suitable treatment option for you. For instance, Raloxifene may not be the most appropriate treatment choice if: you are susceptible to developing blood clots – as the use of raloxifene could exacerbate this risk you have previously experienced, or are at risk of experiencing, a stroke – since although raloxifene does not elevate the risk of a stroke, individuals who suffer a stroke while on the medication may face more severe consequences you are diagnosed with breast cancer – you will not be eligible to commence raloxifene until you have completed your cancer treatment, thus another osteoporosis medication may be more fitting you possess a high likelihood of sustaining a hip fracture – because it remains uncertain whether raloxifene mitigates the risk of hip fractures to the same extent as alternative medications. No connection between raloxifene and a higher risk of breast or womb cancer Certain forms of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that include oestrogen are associated with a slight elevation in the risk of breast or endometrial (womb lining) cancer. Raloxifene, however, is not classified as HRT and does not contain oestrogen. It functions similarly to oestrogen within your bones, yet it does not adversely affect breast or womb tissue. Consequently, the use of raloxifene will not heighten your risk of developing breast or endometrial cancer. In fact, raloxifene may assist in reducing the risk of specific types of breast cancer that are stimulated by oestrogen. Nonetheless, raloxifene will not be a viable option if you currently have, or may potentially have, breast or endometrial cancer. This is due to the uncertainty regarding the safety of taking raloxifene during treatment for these cancer types. How should I take raloxifene? You are required to take one tablet (60mg) daily. Swallow the tablet whole, accompanied by a glass of water. It can be taken at any time throughout the day, regardless of whether you have eaten or not. If you miss a tablet If you happen to miss a tablet from time to time, it is unlikely to have a long-term impact on your bone health. However, it is advisable to avoid this whenever possible. If you frequently forget to take your medication, consult your doctor. They might be able to recommend a more appropriate medication. How will my treatment be monitored? You will not require regular appointments while undergoing treatment with raloxifene. Your physician likely will not need to see you again unless you request an appointment to discuss your medication or overall bone health. Please consult a doctor or pharmacist if you encounter any issues with your treatment. They may offer suggestions to help manage any side effects. Additionally, you should reach out to them if you are having difficulty taking your tablets consistently. If you sustain a fracture while on raloxifene, consult your general practitioner. A fracture does not necessarily indicate that your treatment is ineffective. However, it may be prudent to undergo a bone health assessment. In contrast to some other osteoporosis medications, there is no maximum duration for which you can continue taking raloxifene. It is typical to remain on it for several years. Nevertheless, you should still undergo a formal treatment review after approximately five years. During this review, your doctor will evaluate whether you
