EVISTA Reviews (RALOXIFENE HYDROCHLORIDE)Average Rating: 1.9 (377 Ratings)Filter ResultsCompare EVISTA with similar:
Type: Rx Drug
|
Results are sorted by Date added. 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 |
| 5 | Osteopenia | At first would get rushes of anxiety occasionally at night while I was sitting watching TV. Went off it, but went back on a few months later. Attacks were much less and now hardly ever have them. Have now been on it for about 5 years. My gynocologist highly recommends it for bones and it's protection against breast cancer. My bones are staying about the same - no real improvement according to scans but not worse. I also am not as good as I should be about taking my calcium. | F | 62 | 5 years 1X day | 7/18/2011 | 2 | breast cancer prevention | Substantial hair loss; depression; anger issues; hostility; diminished visual acuity; forgetfulness; minor leg cramps | I thought I was doing well on Evista---I'm not postmenopausal & experienced no hot flashes or trouble sleeping. I have noticed that my hair is falling out to the point where it is becoming a problem. After having children I've dealt with post-partum depression and have taken meds for that (which don't really help) but now am wondering if Evista is contributing to the depression & anger issues. I'm very forgetful, whereas I used to have the memory of an elephant, not since I started Evista though. I meet with my doctor next week and think I'll get off this stuff. I'm too young to go bald! | F | 39 | 210 days 60 MG 1X day | 7/6/2011 | 2 | osteopenia | According to Bone Density Test, it is building bone. However, I have had 3 broken bones since starting Evista. Going to talk over w/physician. I'm seriously thinking about just taking my Calcium w/D and giving up Evista!! | F | 59 | 5 years 60mg 1X day | 6/25/2011 | 3 | Breast cancer prevention | I experienced no side effects for one year. Then, by the end of the day there was swelling of my legs, feet & ankles. Then sudden weight gain!!! 5lbs in one week!! Now I wake up with edema first thing in the morning that worsens from the time my feet hit the floor to extreme pitting by bedtime!!! GP not concerned. Plan to contact surgeon office who originally ordered E tomorrow!! Will update later. | Taking for 14 months | F | 64 | 60 mg 1X day | 6/19/2011 | 5 | osteopenia | No ill side effects; no adverse events. | F | 59 | 7 years 60mg 1X day | 6/12/2011 | 4 | osteopenia / osteoporosis | Hot flashes | It has been several years (maybe 4?) since I took this drug for osteopenia. I quit after a while, but it was helping me. Now, after about 3 years without anything, I find I have osteoporosis. Endocrinologist wants me on Fosamax, but I'm scared of it. Gynocologist recommends Evista and I am going to start taking it again and see how it goes. I had hot flashes last time (which I have anyway) and I don't remember anything else bothering me. I'll see how it goes this time. I have to do something and just taking calcium and vitamin D won't do it according to the Endoc. My body doesn't hang on to calcium. | F | 58 | 2 years 60 1X day | 6/8/2011 | 3 | Atypical ductal hyperplasia | The first year was very difficult to adjust to. I had severe hot flashes and sweating that were almost intolerable. The body aches were bad too. I felt like I had the flu most the time.. Weight gain of 20 lbs. Not to mention poor sleep. | I have annual breast MRI's and mammograms and am being followed by an oncologist for my one time ADH. I've been on this medication for 3 years, with desire by my Doctor to be on it for 5years. My husband is a statistics guru and he crunched the numbers risk of breast cancer, vs risk of stroke, embolism (which scares me even more). Due to the constant hot flashes, body aches, weight gain and feeling blah I have decided to stop it after taking it for 3 years. I'm not letting fear make my decision, just what works for me. The medicaiton does make me feel terrible, I've been on it for 3 years, I will continue with my annual breast MRI and mammograms. I'm more concerned with the stroke risk and am tired of feeling like crap (body aches, flashing all the time, weight gain and poor sleep). I can always change my mind but I'm glad I finally made a decision that is best for me. | F | 56 | 3 years 60mg 1X day | 5/20/2011 | 1 | osteoporosis | Very sick! Sore throat, fever, malaise, sore muscles,night sweats. | I quit taking evista 7 days ago fever finally gone, throat still sore, night sweats continue. From reading this site realize it will be extended time for side effects to go away. Regret taking it would not recommend it to anyone! | F | 70 | 12 days 60 mg 1X day | 5/13/2011 | 1 | bone loss | increased hot flashes, sleep disturbance with muscle jerks and leg pain. | Had a car accident which I now attribute to lack of sleep and I attribute the lack of sleep to Evista. Symptoms were similar to menopausal symptoms--muscle jerking, sweats, etc.--which I had previously resolved with Ambien at night. The week on Evista nothing worked. After having d/cd now for 3 days I feel normal. | F | 64 | 8 days 60 1X day | 4/10/2011 | 1 | Osteoporosis | In the middle of the night after taking my first Evista , I woke up with cramping in my legs. Very unusual for me. The second night I woke up with terrible pain in my legs and a sharp stabbing cramp in my one thigh. I also noticed a suttle heaviness in my chest. The third day, the pain in my chest became worse..and I took my B.P. I run a very low blood pressure and it was 135/85. I immediately went to the hospital. I went into tachycardia, 130, in the E.R. They admitted me to the Cardiac Care unit. Several tests later, including an echo and stress test...and a million blood tests...Ekg's etc...all were normal. I stopped taking Evista and I still have the pain in my chest, which I now attribute to Heartburn/Hiatal Hernia. The Evista, no doubt did this to me. I mentioned it to three doctors and NONE of them said anything except to stop taking it. The symptoms are very slowly starting to go away. A nightmare. | I wouldn't take this drug if I was paid a zillion dollars. Evista does not list increased heart rate or palpitations in their side effects. They need to. And they need to list heartburn as the other osteoporosis drugs do. | F | 57 | 3 days 60 mg 1X day | 3/2/2011 | 1 | osteopenia | Severe pain in my left shoulder. Unbelievable! I couldn't move my arm up or down - was ill for a few days - took Aleve, but that didn't touch the pain. I didn't realize the connection until my samples ran out - was refilling the prescription and since there is no generic, the cost is unaffordable at $130.00 for only one month. No thanks - I am drinking 3-4 glasses of milk a day and do take a supplement of calcium along with a vitamin. That will have to do it. Food is the best thing for us anyway. Forget the drugs! I also take thyroid medication, and Evista needs to be taken 12 hours after - not good. My arm is almost 100% better now, so I realize that it was the Evista that hurt me so much. Never again! | F | 70 | 6 weeks 1X day | 2/23/2011 | 1 | Osteoporosis | I am convinced that I will have an allergic reaction to any drug that's supposed to help bones. After the first Evista pill, I started to itch and with the second pill the itch became nearly unbearable. Head to toe--felt like someone was sticking me with needles. It's 5 days later and I am still experiencing itching. I had a small rash as well. Also BP went sky high, had headache, cough and shooting pains in my knees. I am glad that I only took two pills but wonder how long these side effects will continue. I have read that the half life is 27.7 hours but don't believe that is true. | Tried other meds: Fosomax--instant flu symptoms and horrible headaches. Missed a week from work before I found out the drug was making me feel this way. Took Actonel for 13 months. Then I think it tried to kill me. BP sky high, 5-6 muscle spasms per night in both legs and feet, chest pain, one urinary tract infection after another, diarrhea. Went to two doctors to treat bladder/bowl problems and no problems could be found--because it was the drug all along. | F | 64 | 2 days 60mg 1X day | 2/16/2011 | 1 | Diagnosed with LCIS | Extreme upper body muscle aches; restless leg syndrome; a feeling of "not being connected" or confused; Tired; felt like I just wanted to stay in bed or at the end of the day, I could hardly wait to get home and go to bed; depression and constant hot flashes. | I stopped taking Evista and immediately the following day I no longer had the upper body aches and within a week I felt like my old self. I will not take this drug again and I may try the second drug that was an option: Tamoxifen. | M | 63 | 21 days 60MG 1X day | 2/6/2011 | 1 | osteopenia | I am very physically active, a runner for 30 years and was completing upper body work with 8lb weights. After taking evista for about 3 months, I noticed deep aching pain in my upper arms and shoulders, along with leg cramps at night. A few months later, the pain in my shoulders and upper arms caused me sleeplessness and increased difficulty raising my arms over my head. Additionally, I could no longer lift my hand weights due to decreased strength in my arms - I stopped taking the drug!! It is now about 4 months later, and I still have some pain in my upper arms, particularly with deep aching pain during the night. However, the strength is returning, but not yet to the "pre-evista" level. I would recommend extreme caution if you are considering this drug, and stop it sooner than I did if you are experiencing side effects. | F | 54 | 6 months 60mg 1X day | 1/29/2011 | 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 | 1 | Bone density | JOINT PAIN - Unbelievable pain in most of my joints, I was afraid something terrible was going on in my body.Hot flashes,tired,problem sleeping. This was never discussed as a side effect.I stoped taking Evista over a month ago and I still have pain in my arms.Espacialy one I can't move,pain is terrible.Hope it didn't do any permanent damage. It got so bad I was unable to raise my arms over my head. It's now 17.January 2011 and I'm going to try some physical therapy to see if that helps with the joint pain and flexibility in my arms.I am not planing to take any medication for bone density ,I felt realy good before I started to take Evista and now I'm in a lot of pain. | F | 51 | 60 days 60mg 1X day | 1/17/2011 | 1 | yes | muscle aches,muscle cramps, hot flashes,hostility, anxiety, easily frustrated, forgetfulness, irritability | recommended as a preventive measure for breast cancer - forget it - after 30 days I'm done. I have appreciated the other reviews and wished I would have read them prior to taking the drug. I just hope I get back to normal. | F | 52 | 30 days 60 mg 1X day | 1/16/2011 | 1 | Osteopena/Osteoporosis | After the first pill, I started having joint pain particularly in my hips. I have now been off meds for 2 weeks and am still experiencing joint pain particularly in my shoulders and have started having acid reflux. Nothing else changed in my lifestyle. I don't take an other meds. I exercise regularly and eat healthy so I feel certain these are residual side effects of just 3 pills!!! I will try to deal with this condition through natural means. | F | 64 | 3 days 60 MG 1X day | 12/29/2010 | 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 | 1 | Ostenpenia | My former doctor wanted to prescribe Evista for my bone loss. I refused to take it. I told him I read about the side effects of this kind of drugs. I want to explore natural cures. He lashed out at me. I will never go back to him again. Some doctors get kickbacks from the drug companies to push pills to their patients. Patient beware! I did some research and found out that strontium, along with calcium, vitamin k2, magnesium will reverse bone loss. Just don't take calcium and strontium together since they compete with each other. Take strontium 3 hours after your last meal in the evening. Good luck to all! | F | 54 | 0 days 1X day | 12/21/2010 |