EVISTA Reviews (RALOXIFENE HYDROCHLORIDE)Average Rating: 1.9 (377 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare EVISTA with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
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Results are sorted by length of time drug was taken longest to shortest. Key to Ratings: 1=LOW (I would not recommend taking this medicine.) |
More on EVISTA: Reviews Summary | Drug Safety Information
| RATING | REASON | SIDE EFFECTS FOR EVISTA | COMMENTS | SEX | AGE | DURATION/ DOSAGE | DATE ADDED |
| 1 | Osteo & breast cancer prevention | It's been soooo many years now. Over time, I've noticed I had problems getting & staying asleep (still do), 30 lb. weight gain in the last 20 years (middle) - fatigue, lack of energy, anger issues, depression, shortness of breath, 3 root canals in the last 8 years, numerous bronchial infections and pneumonia (missed lots of work)and in the last few months have had tingling, numb feeling in legs and feet. I am borderline diabetic so I thought that was my issue with the numbness, etc. I thought all of the above were issues about aging, etc. and was living a really poor quality life as far as my health was concerned, until I got very lucky and opened up this website. I HIT THE MOTHERLODE! I am NOT ALONE! | I talked to my pharmacist about all my concerns in taking this drug after reading all the comments here. She said I wouldn't experience any huge health ramifications if I stopped taking EVISTA abruptly. Although she did say, given the length of time I've been on it, I may want to "wean" myself off ot it. I haven't taken EVISTA for 2 days now and I'm not sure if I will take another one of these horrible pills. I think I am going "cold turkey!" Why oh why did I stay on this horrible drug for so many years?....? MY doctor(s) recommended it over & over again and I believed and trusted them. Doing some research now (including this website) I have found there is a huge kick'back from the drug companies for doctors that prescribe it. SHAME ON THEM!! What have I done to myself over the years??? Who knows?!*! I don't know if I will ever be back to normal again, (what is normal?) but hopefully, after cleansing my body & system of this horrible drug EVISTA - I am praying that some of my health problems will have disappeared. Must mention too, EVISTA is very expensive!!! I will keep this website posted of my progress or my status. I wish I had all this info when I started taking this drug, if so, I never would have taken it and certainly would have questioned my doctor(s) about its supposed "BENEFITS!" I am going to take extra Vit(s) C & D, along with exercise and maybe a better diet, too. EVISTA IS BAD STUFF!!!! | F | 64 | 21 years 60 1X day | 1/22/2011 | 3 | for bone loss& preventing breast CA | Having some problems with my jaw, TMJ as the dentist says but I feel some is from Evista | Had night sweats, some weight gain, problems sleeping in the beginning better now. But how long is too long to be taking this drug???? | F | 65 | 17 years 60 mg 1X day | 9/28/2010 | 5 | osteopenea | none | F | 52 | 15 years 1X day | 8/28/2013 | 5 | osteoporosis | I really don’t know how to get ahold of the Evista makers, maybe you can forward this to them, I believe in telling people when good things work, I started taking Evista 10 years ago because I had osteoporosis. I have taken it daily for 10 years. Well this year I had a scan done and my osteoporosis is GONE!!!! It has to be the Evista, and I am thrilled!!!!! Thank you for a medication that works so well. My Doctor said they were unsure about Evista, but I am living proof, and she will continue to keep me on it!!!. THANK YOU, Mary Mary Amyot 8177 Trolleys End Cicero, New York 13039 | WONDERFUL!!!!! | F | 62 | 10 years 1X day | 1/23/2012 | 2 | preventative osteoporos/breast canc | Knees have been hurting for last three or more years. When coming off of a mountain trail a few years ago, I attributed the pain I was experience (I cried, it hurt so bad) to getting old (also this theory was supported by my doctor who wanted to place me on arthritis drugs.) A year ago pain was so bad that I could hardly walk down the stairs. Since Evista was the only drug I was on, my husband encouraged me to discontinue it to see if I got better--I stopped it and I did get better!!! After a year of being off of Evista I went to my doctor and he responded to my comments as though he didn't think Evista could be causing me this much pain and encouraged me to go on it again due to the preventative aspects for both osteoporosis AND breast cancer, both of which are in my family genes. I started Evista again and immediately experienced the pain in the knees along with the needle-like sensation in ankles and legs that others of you have written about on this website. Thank goodness fo | I also experienced the embarrassing flatulance issue one of you has written about. Being rid of that side effect took many months longer than getting rid of the pain in my knees once I stopped taking Evista. Just so you can compare, I take very good care of my body--eating well along with a vigorous exercise program 5 days a week and physical activity out-of-doors. My body weight compared to my height is well within the weight zone. I had good results with bone density testing 5+ years ago, but have not been back to see if I remained so or if things got worse . | F | 60 | 10 years | 6/1/2007 | 4 | My bone scans are excellent, but it seems that Evista has been causing an ever-increasing soreness in my legs (just below the knees), plus a numb toe; and, during the past year or so, I developed tendinitis at both knees (ileo-tibial band). The diagnosis was complicted by the fact that I was also taking Zocor for 6 years (I began taking the two drugs at just about the same time, which made it very hard to diagnose the cause or causes); the Zocor caused increasingly terrible cramps throughout my body even though the blood tests showed no problems. In other words, owing to one or the other drug, Zocor and Evista, for about 5 years I had soreness below my knees for no diagnosable reason, plus spasms all over! Things got better for a few months immediately after I stopped the Zocor (about 5 years ago); but then the soreness just below my knees -- which didn't go away when I stopped the Zocor -- began increasing and got worse and worse, and eventually was complicated by the ileo-tibial infl | The trouble caused by Zocor was terrible enough, but Evista was just as terrible, it seems, because it was doing things so silently and sneakily. Combined, the two medications have caused me to reduce my activity for almost 10 years, in hopes of avoiding pain and inflammation. A waste of 10 prime years!!! | F | 78 | 9 years 60 mg 1X day | 12/1/2010 | 2 | Osteopenia/Osteoporosis | Evista is the only prescription drug I take. In reading the comments on this site, I find that many of the symptoms reported apply to me. Hot flashes, leg & toe cramps,lower back pain, weight gain, urinary tract problems, hair thinning, swelling of my feet, concentration problems. | I tried both Fosamax and Actonel and both caused substantial joint pain. My father's side of my family all had osteoporosis and I did not want it. My mother died at 41 of breast cancer. Evista seemed the ideal prescription drug, but the many side effects are beginning to wear on me and affecting the quality of my life. I am stopping taking it and hope that many of the symptoms clear up. I will continue to take 1,000 mg of calcium plus vitamin D, daily. Thank you for this site! | F | 70 | 9 years | 9/30/2007 | 1 | osteopenia | Hot flashes, leg-toe cramps, urinary problems, hair loss, general aches and because of the hot flashes-leg-toe cramps, interrupted sleep. | I posted on this site on 9/30/07 and said I was going to stop Evista. It was the only prescription drug I took. I stopped 9/30/07 and since then have have 6-7 hours of uninterrupted sleep (most nights), less hot flashes, much less & less severe leg-toe cramps and the big item I did not expect: When I get up from my desk, I don't hurt all over! I thought it was from my age, but I no longer have this effect since I stopped Evista! I have told friends that I felt like I had "been rode hard and put away wet!". I have upped my intake of Calcium and Vitamin D and hope my next bone density (May 08) will not say that I have lost ground. I feel so much better now! | F | 70 | 9 years | 12/20/2007 | 5 | osteoporosis | None | I went through menopause at 45. My mother has severe osteoporosis and I had osteopenia. My doctor decided to try evista for the hormone-like properties and the osteopenia. I have been on evista for eight years. My bone density has improved significantly and I have no side effects. I have had no menopausal symptoms either. My mother was on actonel for twenty five years. Her bone density continually worsened. After several fractures she is on the IV medication which has improved her bone density. I am staying on Evista | F | 54 | 8 years | 1/31/2010 | 5 | I went on Evista in 2002 after I had a breast nodule removed that was close to cancerous. I also had osteoporosis in one hip. A dexa scan of my bones 3 years later showed that the ostoporosis in that one hip was now osteopenia. I was thrilled with those results. I've never noticed any side effects whatsoever. | Recently I heard Evista could cause weight gain. I have gained about 25 lb since 2002, but I also had a total hysterectomy that same year so I attributed the weight gain from that. Now I am wondering if I would lose weight if I go off. However, the risk of getting breast cancer scares me since breast cancer rates in our geographical area is extremely high. | M | 59 | 8 years | 11/28/2009 | 3 | Osteoporosis | I don't know if my symptoms have anything to do with Evista, because I'm on several other meds that can have those side-effects. After reading these (and the Boniva ratings), I'm really concerned. After the first 18 months, the osteoporosis in my spine became osteopedia & osteopedia in my hips went away; I figured that would continue. WRONG! Now it's 11% worse than it was in 2000 - at my last scan & GYN wants to put me on weekly or monthly pill, because it doesn't seem to be working anymore. | I'm thinking of stopping my Evista & waiting a while before even trying the other pills. I'm really afraid to try the Boniva, since I already have enough problems! What if the Evista is what's been causing them? | F | 69 | 8 years | 6/24/2007 | 2 | early hysterectomy/due to cancer | Wow, after all these years, I thought the leg pain and cramps was a result of my chemotherapy for ovarian/uterine cancer. Maybe it's the Evista. The leg pain and cramps would mostly be at night (I still cannot walk up and down stairs the same as before, something about my right hip) and I got sciatic pain which was so bad it would wake me up at night. Never even thought about the fact that I was laying down in bed and not moving for a few hours when it would start. I started taking digestive enzymes a couple of years ago and it has subsided, however I am now getting cramps in my feet and toes for no good reason during the day. At the same time I was prescribed the Evista I started experienceing severe heartburn and was prescribed Aciphex. Which I still take, although not daily as I was. I also have increased flatulence, thought it must be my diet. Recently, I have been experiencing some rapid heartbeat. I think I'm going to talk to my doctor about stopping this medication and see | The Evista was prescribed to me immediately after my surgery to remove both ovarian and uterine tumors, in order to prevent bone loss from early forced menopause (I was 46 then). There has still been bone loss, so I'm not even sure it's working, who knows if there'd be more or less unless you stop taking it. I never questioned the Evista because I thought my pains were from the six months of chemotherapy treatments. I cannot say they weren't, but if I stop taking this drug and they go away. I will definitely let you all know. I just recently heard about the possiblity of increased risk of stroke with this drug, so I'm scheduled to go to the doctor in the near future and I think I'll ask to lay off it for a while and see what happens. This drug and the aciphex are the only prescription drugs I take and maybe getting rid of one will get rid of the other! | F | 55 | 8 years | 10/17/2007 | 1 | to prevent breast cancer, osteopero | Leg pain, hip pain, visual disturbances, headaches, numbness, knee pain, restless legs, leg cramps | My doctor prescribed this medication for me about 2003. Two years ago, I experienced what was called a "vascular event". Prior, I walked 3 miles everyday and was considered very healthy. I went numb from my waist down, can't to this day feel my feet, legs feel numb as well as my right arm. My doctor who prescribed it called right away and told me to get off of the Evista. My energy level is still very low. About two years before the "event" which they said was a spinal cord stroke, I started having symptoms which I attributed to my job as I'm on my feet all day. I was never asked about symptoms and when I said something it was ignored. My ankles started swelling. Now, I have retired. I still can't feel my feet and have horrible hip pain that is sometimes nauseating. I doubt at this point that the numbness will ever go away in my legs and torso. I am begging anyone who has taken this medication or is taking it to get off of it as soon as possible. | F | 64 | 8 years 60mg 1X day | 3/14/2013 | 1 | osteoporosis | Have experienced numbness at night in both my feet, but most of all my arms and hands are easily bruised, leaving me with ugly purple spots, and the veins on my hands appear to be swollen. | I have decided to discontinue use and in just 2 weeks the veins on my hands now look rather normal. Don't know if this is just a coincidence. My dr. doesn't agree with me, says I have fragile capilllaries! I will stay off it til the end of the year and see if there is any improvement. Anybody else have symptons like this? | F | 74 | 8 years | 11/5/2009 | 5 | osteopoenia | None | A much easier way of taking medication than my Mother had with her osteoporosis. Dexa scans have shown bone density in my spine has increased. | F | 67 | 7.5 years | 1/7/2010 | 5 | osteopenia | No ill side effects; no adverse events. | F | 59 | 7 years 60mg 1X day | 6/12/2011 | 4 | prevention of osteoporosis | Haven't really had any problems taking Evista. Occasional foot/ankle pain but not sure if it is from taking Evista. I feel fine. | F | 56 | 7 years 60 mg | 6/21/2014 | 3 | DEXA scan showed bone loss | Had gastric bypass. Two years later had parathyroids removed and started taking Synthroid. Also had Dexa Scan which showed bone loss compared to previous year. At this time my FSH levels showed that I was menopausal. Started taking Evista. Hot flashes stopped after a few months. The third year's scan was almost back to normal. Started having problems about year 5. Started with leg cramps and foot cramps across the top of my feet, sometimes during the night, other times several times during the day. This last year has been the worst. I have muscle cramps after setting for any length of time and my legs feel "bow-legged" with the calves burning and pain in the ankles. I can't stand for any length of time and any exercise I try to do (such as leg lifts or gentle walking) result in additional pain for over a week. | I have been experiencing edema in my ankles and knees and complained to my doctor who stated to stay away from salt. I asked about the Evista and he stated that the symptoms would have appeared within the first 2 years of taking this Rx, not 6 years later! I think that the symptoms I am experiencing have been slowly ongoing and I just found excuses for their causes until now that they are painful beyond reason. I have stopped taking Evista for the last three days and today I was able to stay on my feet much of the day. My ankles are slightly swollen but not the "tree-trunks" they have been at the end of the day. There have been a few mornings that I have had swollen ankles before getting out of bed, which is unusual. I will talk to my doctor about just taking the vitamin/mineral regime and to test for any change in the DEXA scan. | F | 60 | 7 years 60 mg 1X day | 7/31/2011 | 2 | diagnosed osteopenia | Increased bouts of nightly hot flashes and muscle aches. | Muscular aches have been diagnosed as tendonitis. I'm unsure but dubious about diagnosis. Annoying nightly hot flashes definitely caused by Evista. Unable to tolerate biophosphenates. | F | 71 | 7 years 60 mg 1X day | 12/21/2010 | 2 | doctor insisted???no family history | Not until I researched side effects did I realize that the leg cramps that I have experienced for several years and weight gain may be linked to the Evista. Not sure why I was even prescribed this since no family history of breast cancer or osteoporosis but plenty of history of hypertension. I stopped taking Evista 5 days ago and feel better already and my BP dropped from 165/104 to 135/85. I lost 2 pounds the first day in pure water. Was not aware of any side effects but are aware of them now. | F | 62 | 7 years | 7/20/2006 |
EVISTA (RALOXIFENE HYDROCHLORIDE): Raloxifene is used by women to prevent and treat bone loss (osteoporosis) after menopause. It slows down bone loss and helps to keep bones strong, making them less likely to break. Raloxifene may also lower the chance of getting a certain type of breast cancer (invasive breast cancer) after menopause. Raloxifene is not an estrogen hormone, but it acts like estrogen in some parts of the body, like your bones. In other parts of the body (uterus and breasts), raloxifene acts like an estrogen blocker. It does not relieve menopause symptoms such as hot flashes. Raloxifene belongs to a class of drugs known as selective estrogen receptor modulators-SERMs. This medication should not be used before menopause. It should not be used to prevent heart disease. FDA Approval Date: 1997-12-09 (Sources: U.S. Centers for Medicare Services, FDA)