1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health

Has any gotten blood clots on Evista (Raloxifene)?

Posted by cmdw2600 @cmdw2600, Oct 8, 2023

I am four years out from completion of treatment for triple negative breast cancer. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis after treatment and Prolia was recommended. I did not do much research at that time because after chemo I thought “what’s one more injection?”. I suffered significant hair loss (after finally regrowing my hair) and chose to discontinue. Since I also have GI issues, most oral osteoporosis drugs are not recommended. My endocrinologist suggested Evista, a medication that can help ward off breast cancer as well as treat osteoporosis, which I agreed to even though it is not effective in preventing my type of BC. She and I discussed the warning that blood clots are a possibility but she was not concerned as I am not predisposed to that issue so I started taking this once a day pill in April.

I now have had some targeted pains that are concerning-one in my inner left thigh, but the scarier one is in my head. I never get headaches and this is in a very specific small spot. The thought of a possible stroke is frightening. Just wondering who on this forum takes Raloxifene and if they’ve had any issues.

Thank you,
Cindy

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cmdw2600 | @cmdw2600 | Jul 12 7:22am

Time has gone by and I am no longer as concerned about blood clots. Will report back in September after I’ve had bone scan to inform as to if Evista was effective.

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2 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jul 12 7:25am

Hello @cmdw2600,

I just noticed your post from several months ago regarding Evista. I took Evista for several years for bone loss, at that time I was diagnosed as osteopenia. While taking Evista, I still had some bone loss, but it did not turn into osteopenia. I never had any side effects from taking Evista. Like you, I also have GI problems (as a result of three surgeries of the upper digestive tract for a rare form of cancer) and the oral medications for osteoporosis have been a problem.

Now, with a diagnosis of osteoporosis, I need to decide what medication to take. I'm just wondering if you continued taking Evista for bone loss? If not, have you tried any other medications?

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2 replies
active1 | @active1 | Jul 13 12:07pm
In reply to @cmdw2600 "Time has gone by and I am no longer as concerned about blood clots. Will report..." + (show)
@cmdw2600

Time has gone by and I am no longer as concerned about blood clots. Will report back in September after I’ve had bone scan to inform as to if Evista was effective.

Jump to this post

Hi Cindy - those concerns, pains went away then? I’m considering Evista for osteoporosis. Just recently diagnosed.

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cmdw2600 | @cmdw2600 | Jul 13 12:44pm

I occasionally have the inner thigh pain (mild), but none in my head. Evista seemed to be one of the few options for me. Will keep you posted on its effectiveness.

Good luck with your decision!
Cindy

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cmdw2600 | @cmdw2600 | Jul 14 6:25am
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @cmdw2600, I just noticed your post from several months ago regarding Evista. I took Evista..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @cmdw2600,

I just noticed your post from several months ago regarding Evista. I took Evista for several years for bone loss, at that time I was diagnosed as osteopenia. While taking Evista, I still had some bone loss, but it did not turn into osteopenia. I never had any side effects from taking Evista. Like you, I also have GI problems (as a result of three surgeries of the upper digestive tract for a rare form of cancer) and the oral medications for osteoporosis have been a problem.

Now, with a diagnosis of osteoporosis, I need to decide what medication to take. I'm just wondering if you continued taking Evista for bone loss? If not, have you tried any other medications?

Jump to this post

Yes, I am still taking Evista daily after discontinuance of Prolia. Will report results of scan in September. I am aware that it is not as “powerful”, but am hopeful that it’s good enough!

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lmayo | @lmayo | Jul 15 8:46pm
In reply to @cmdw2600 "Time has gone by and I am no longer as concerned about blood clots. Will report..." + (show)
@cmdw2600

Time has gone by and I am no longer as concerned about blood clots. Will report back in September after I’ve had bone scan to inform as to if Evista was effective.

Jump to this post

I have taken Raloxifene for four years and have had no problems. I also have severe GI and GERD problems which makes other forms of osteoporosis meds unfavorable to me, not mention the cost of some of them. I try to get as much of my calcium intake from food as I can, and I also take vitamin D and a magnesium supplement.

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cmdw2600 | @cmdw2600 | Aug 1 6:16am
In reply to @hopeful33250 "Hello @cmdw2600, I just noticed your post from several months ago regarding Evista. I took Evista..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

Hello @cmdw2600,

I just noticed your post from several months ago regarding Evista. I took Evista for several years for bone loss, at that time I was diagnosed as osteopenia. While taking Evista, I still had some bone loss, but it did not turn into osteopenia. I never had any side effects from taking Evista. Like you, I also have GI problems (as a result of three surgeries of the upper digestive tract for a rare form of cancer) and the oral medications for osteoporosis have been a problem.

Now, with a diagnosis of osteoporosis, I need to decide what medication to take. I'm just wondering if you continued taking Evista for bone loss? If not, have you tried any other medications?

Jump to this post

I have continued Evista and will let you know the results of my scan in September. Will make assessment at that time.

Best wishes,
Cindy

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Aug 1 6:57am
In reply to @cmdw2600 "I have continued Evista and will let you know the results of my scan in September...." + (show)
@cmdw2600

I have continued Evista and will let you know the results of my scan in September. Will make assessment at that time.

Best wishes,
Cindy

Jump to this post

@cmdw2600 Hello Cindy,

I appreciate your post and I'm looking forward to hearing how you are doing after your next scan. I'm not due for another scan until May of next year.

At this point, I think I will go back on Evista until my next scan, to see if I can prevent more loss. As you said Evista may not be as effective as other meds are in building bone, but it seems to be a better option for me right now.

I found two articles about Evista if you would like more information. The first one is from Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/raloxifene-oral-route/description/drg-20065760
There is also one from Cleveland Clinic with a few more details, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/20931-raloxifene-tablets

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