A drug used to prevent and treat postmenopausal osteoporosis (see under BONE, DISORDERS OF). Its action di?ers from hormone-replacement drugs in that it does not modify the symptoms of the MENOPAUSE.
n. a drug used to prevent and treat osteoporosis that develops after the menopause. Raloxifene is a *selective (o)estrogen receptor modulator (SERM): it mimics the protective action of oestrogen in the bones without the risk of the adverse effects (e.g. on the breast and uterus) associated with *hormone replacement therapy. However, it does not relieve menopausal symptoms. Side-effects include hot flushes, and there is a risk of *thromboembolism and *thrombophlebitis.
Health Encyclopedia