Evista general information

What is Evista used for?

Evista tablets 60mg are used to help manage changes associated with decreased oestrogen production by the ovaries in post-menopausal women.  The decrease in oestrogen levels at menopause can cause osteoporosis, which is the loss of bone density, resulting in brittle bones, which can fracture more easily.  Evista tablets 60mg are used to treat and prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis to reduce risk of fracture.  Evista tablets 60mg are also used to reduce the risk of invasive oestrogen-dependent breast cancers in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and in women who are at high risk of invasive breast cancer.   

How does Evista work?

Evista tablets 60mg contain raloxifene, a selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM), which has selective agonist and antagonist activity on tissues responsive to oestrogen and is used to mimic some of the beneficial effects of oestrogen in post-menopausal women.  Oestrogen is a steroid hormone produced by the ovaries that binds to specific receptors inside oestrogen-responsive cells and stimulates them to make proteins involved in producing secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development and in regulating the menstrual cycle.  Oestrogen also has several other actions in various metabolic processes, including maintaining bone mass and lipid (fat) metabolism.  Raloxifene in Evista tablets 60mg has oestrogenic actions on bone and helps maintain bone mass by decreasing bone resorption (the process for removal of old bone tissue) and restoring bone turnover to normal levels, which increases bone mineral density and reduces risk of fracture.  It exerts the positive effects of oestrogen on bone and lipid metabolism, while specifically antagonising some of the potentially negative effects of oestrogen on uterine and breast tissues.  Raloxifene in Evista tablets 60mg has anti-oestrogenic effects on the endometrium (lining of the uterus) so does not increase risk of endometrial cancer.  In breast tissue raloxifene also has anti-estrogenic effects which means it does not stimulate cell growth and is used to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancers, a tumour that is oestrogen-dependent and has receptors for oestrogen. 

What does Evista contain?

Evista tablets 60mg contain the active ingredient raloxifene, a selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM), used to treat and prevent osteoporosis and reduce risk of fracture in postmenopausal women, also reduce risk of invasive oestrogen-dependent breast cancers in postmenopausal women. 

Treating osteoporosis with Evista

Evista tablets 60mg contain raloxifene, a selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM), which has selective agonist and antagonist activity on tissues responsive to oestrogen, and mimics some of the beneficial effects of oestrogen in post-menopausal women.  Evista tablets 60mg are used to treat and prevent osteoporosis in menopausal women to reduce risk of fracture.  Bone turnover is a normal part of bone remodelling, which is a dynamic process that allows bones to grow and repair and is hormonally controlled by oestrogen.  During menopause, oestrogen production slows down and this causes a loss of bone density resulting in osteoporosis, which increases the risk of fracture.  Raloxifene in Evista tablets 60mg has oestrogenic actions on bone and helps maintain bone mass by decreasing bone resorption (the process for removal of old bone tissue) and restoring bone turnover to normal levels, which increases bone mineral density.  This reduces risk of vertebral and hip fractures, which can be painful and cause loss of height if the fracture occurs in the spine.

Preventing breast cancer with Evista

Evista tablets 60mg contain raloxifene, a selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM), which has selective agonist and antagonist activity on tissues responsive to oestrogen and is used to mimic some of the beneficial effects of oestrogen in post-menopausal women.  Most, but not all, breast cancers are sensitive to oestrogen and are known as oestrogen receptor-positive because they are oestrogen-dependent tumours and the cells contain oestrogen receptors.  Raloxifene in Evista tablets 60mg has anti-oestrogenic in breast tissue which means that although it binds to the oestrogen receptor on tumour cells, it does not stimulate cell growth.  Evista tablets 60mg are used to reduce the risk of invasive oestrogen-dependent breast cancers in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and in women at high risk of invasive breast cancer.

What are the side effects of Evista?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Evista include hot flushes, leg cramp, fluid retention (oedema) causing swelling of hands, feet and legs, skin rash.  More serious but less common side effects include risk of venous thromboembolic events, including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and retinal vein thrombosis.

When should Evista not be used?

You should not use Evista if you:

• are allergic to raloxifene or any ingredients in Evista
• have liver disease
• have had or have a history of abnormal blood clots, such as deep venous thrombosis, thromboembolic disorders, cerebral vascular accident associated with oestrogen
• have not been through menopause, as Evista tablets 60mg is only for use by women after menopause and must not be taken by women who could still have a baby
• are taking medicines that interact with Evista including digoxin for heart failure (your dose may need adjustment), anticoagulants like warfarin, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or oestrogens, cholestyramine for cholesterol lowering

How should Evista be taken?

You should take Evista tablets 60mg swallowed whole with a glass of water with or without food, once daily.  Evista tablets 60mg are intended for long-term use, so you should continue to take your tablets for as long as recommended by your doctor.

How long should you take Evista?

Evista tablets 60mg are intended for long-term use, so you should continue to take your tablets for as long as recommended by your doctor.

Missed dose of Evista

If you miss a dose of Evista tablets 60mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Evista be stored?

You should store your Evista tablets 60mg below 25°C in a cool dry place.