title: The use of raloxifene in osteoporosis treatment.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Osteoporosis is a common disease characterized by the occurrence of fragility fractures. Major osteoporotic fractures are associated with decreased quality of life and high costs.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review summarizes clinical data on raloxifene (RLX), a second generation selective estrogen-receptor modulator (SERM), currently approved for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. RLX has estrogen effects on bone and lipid profile, whereas it has anti-estrogen effects on uterus and breast cells. Its main side effects are hot flushes and venous thromboembolism. Literature searches were conducted to retrieve articles reporting RLX clinical trial data. For comparison of safety and efficacy, post-marketing studies on RLX were included.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RLX is effective in reducing vertebral fracture risk in osteoporotic women, it is safe and its ability to prevent breast cancer has to be considered in the analyses of cost/effect and of the ideal candidate to this treatment. RLX has to be avoided in patients with previous history of venous thromboembolism.
authors.affiliation: University of Torino, Gerontology and Bone Metabolic Disease Section, Department of Medical Sciences, Corso Bramante 88/90, 10126 Torino, Italy. patrizia.damelio@unito.it
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: D'Amelio
authors.forename: Giovanni Carlo
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Isaia
mesh_terms: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015663:Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000517:prevention & control; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride