Raloxifene
Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator used in postmenopausal women for osteoporosis treatment or prevention and for reduction of invasive breast cancer risk in selected high-risk groups. It improves spine bone density and lowers vertebral fracture risk but increases venous thromboembolism risk and carries a boxed warning for increased risk of venous thromboembolism and death from stroke in women with coronary heart disease or high coronary risk.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator used in postmenopausal women for osteoporosis treatment or prevention and for reduction of invasive breast cancer risk in selected high-risk groups. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is Postmenopausal women: 60 mg orally once daily, with or without food. Ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake when dietary intake is insufficient., though a prescriber sets the actual dose. This profile indexes 3 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis, reduced vertebral fracture risk. 3 sources indexed (1999–2026), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Raloxifene acts as an estrogen receptor agonist in bone and lipid metabolism while acting as an antagonist in breast and uterine tissue. In bone, it decreases osteoclast-mediated resorption and turnover, preserving bone mineral density. Its hepatic and coagulation effects contribute to reduced LDL cholesterol but also increased venous thromboembolism risk.2,1
Dosing & protocol.
May be taken with or without food. Avoid use during prolonged immobilization and follow label guidance around surgery or immobilization because of clot risk.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Hot flashes
- Leg cramps
- Peripheral edema
- Flu-like symptoms
- Arthralgia
- Venous thromboembolism
- Retinal vein thrombosis
- Stroke death risk in high-risk women
- Gallbladder disease rarely
Contraindications
- Active or past venous thromboembolism including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or retinal vein thrombosis3,1
- Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding
- Known hypersensitivity to raloxifene1,2
- Use caution in women with stroke risk, coronary heart disease, prolonged immobilization, or severe hepatic impairment1,2
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Randomized controlled trials
2- 1Effects of raloxifene on cardiovascular events and breast cancer in postmenopausal womenBarrett-Connor E et al. · New England Journal of Medicine · 2006
RUTH trial clarified benefit and vascular risk tradeoffs in women with coronary disease or risk factors.
- 2Reduction of vertebral fracture risk in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis treated with raloxifeneEttinger B et al. · JAMA · 1999
MORE trial data support vertebral fracture reduction and bone density effects.
Reference material
1- 3Raloxifene Hydrochloride Tablets US Prescribing InformationURLU.S. National Library of Medicine · DailyMed · 2026
Labeling describes 60 mg daily dosing, osteoporosis and breast cancer risk indications, VTE contraindication, and boxed warning.
Common questions.
Quick answers about Raloxifene, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Raloxifene?
Raloxifene is a selective estrogen receptor modulator used in postmenopausal women for osteoporosis treatment or prevention and for reduction of invasive breast cancer risk in selected high-risk groups. It improves spine bone density and lowers vertebral fracture risk but increases venous thromboembolism risk and carries a boxed warning for increased risk of venous thromboembolism and death from stroke in women with coronary heart disease or high coronary risk.
What is Raloxifene used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Raloxifene include: Treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis; Prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis; Reduced vertebral fracture risk; Reduction of invasive breast cancer risk in selected postmenopausal women. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.
What is a typical dose of Raloxifene?
A typical adult dose of Raloxifene is Postmenopausal women: 60 mg orally once daily, with or without food. Ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake when dietary intake is insufficient.. The commonly recommended form is Oral tablet once daily. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Raloxifene?
Reported side effects include hot flashes, leg cramps, peripheral edema, flu-like symptoms, arthralgia, venous thromboembolism. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Raloxifene?
NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Raloxifene in NutriStack.
Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.