raloxifene hydrochloride
Pharmaranks rates Raloxifene Hydrochloride 3.6/5 for recall safety — an independent score from its FDA recall history and its manufacturer's record. Raloxifene Hydrochloride is an estrogen agonist/antagonist used to treat Postmenopausal Osteoporosis.
Estrogen Agonist/Antagonist · by Invagen Pharms
Based on 1 source · Recall-safety score from FDA recall history — this product's own recalls and its manufacturer's record. Not an efficacy or quality rating. methodology →
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Raloxifene Hydrochloride
- Drug class
- Estrogen Agonist/Antagonist
- Form
- Tablet
- Strength
- Raloxifene Hydrochloride 60MG
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Generic
- May treat
- postmenopausal osteoporosis
- Manufacturer
- Invagen Pharms
- What the pharmacy pays
- ~$7.20 for 30 — not your price
- FDA application
- ANDA090842
- FDA boxed warning
- Yes — see the boxed warning
What is Raloxifene Hydrochloride?
From the FDA label:Raloxifene hydrochloride, USP is an estrogen agonist/antagonist, commonly referred to as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that belongs to the benzothiophene class of compounds. The chemical structure is: The chemical designation is methanone, [6-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)benzo[b]thien-3-yl]-[4-[2-(1-piperidinyl) ethoxy]phenyl]-, hydrochloride. Raloxifene hydrochloride (HCl) has the empirical formula C 28 H 27 NO 4 S•HCl, which corresponds to a molecular weight of 510.05. Raloxifene HCl, USP is an off-white to pale-yellow solid that is very slightly soluble in water. Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets, USP are supplied in a tablet dosage form for oral administration. Each raloxifene hydrochloride tablet contains 60 mg of raloxifene HCl, USP which is the molar equivalent of 55.71 mg of free base. Inactive ingredients include mannitol, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl cellulose, poloxamer 407, magnesium stearate and opadry white (titanium Dioxide, hypromellose 2910 (3cP), hypromellose 2910 (6cP), macrogol/PEG 400 and polysorbate 80). structure
How to use
60 mg tablet orally once daily. ( 2.1 ) 2.1 Recommended Dosing The recommended dosage is one 60 mg raloxifene hydrochloride tablet daily, which may be administered any time of day without regard to meals [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . For the indications in risk of invasive breast cancer the optimum duration of treatment is not known [see Clinical Studies (14.3 , 14.4) ] . 2.2 Recommendations for Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation For either osteoporosis treatment or prevention, supplemental calcium and/or vitamin D should be added to the diet if daily intake is inadequate. Postmenopausal women require an average of 1500 mg/day of elemental calcium. Total daily intake of calcium above 1500 mg has not demonstrated additional bone benefits while daily intake above 2000 mg has been associated with increased risk of adverse effects, including hypercalcemia and kidney stones. The recommended intake of vitamin D is 400-800 IU daily. Patients at increased risk for vitamin D insufficiency (e.g., over the age of 70 years, nursing home bound, or chronically ill) may need additional vitamin D supplements. Patients with gastrointestinal malabsorption syndromes may require higher doses of vitamin D supplementation and measurement of 25-hydroxyvitamin D should be considered.
Side effects
Adverse reactions (>2% and more common than with placebo) include: hot flashes, leg cramps, peripheral edema, flu syndrome, arthralgia, sweating. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Exelan Pharmaceuticals, Inc at 1-866-604-3268 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch 6.1 Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical studies are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. The data described below reflect exposure to raloxifene hydrochloride tablets in 8429 patients who were enrolled in placebo-controlled trials, including 6666 exposed for 1 year and 5685 for at least 3 years. Osteoporosis Treatment Clinical Trial (MORE) — The safety of raloxifene in a treatment of osteoporosis was assessed in a large (7705 patients) multinational, placebo-controlled trial. Duration of treatment was 36 months, and 5129 postmenopausal women were exposed to raloxifene hydrochloride (2557 received 60 mg/day, and 2572 received 120 mg/day). The incidence of all-cause mortality was similar among groups: 23 (0.9%) placebo, 13 (0.5%) raloxifene hydrochloride tablets-treated (raloxifene HCl 60 mg), and 28 (1.1%) raloxifene HCl 120 mg women died. Therapy was discontinued due to an adverse…
FDA Boxed Warning (the FDA’s most serious warning)
Boxed (black-box) warning — from the FDA label
Increased risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism have been reported with raloxifene hydrochloride tablets [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Women with active or past history of venous thromboembolism should not take raloxifene hydrochloride tablets [see Contraindications (4.1) ]. Increased risk of death due to stroke occurred in a trial in postmenopausal women with documented coronary heart disease or at increased risk for major coronary events. Consider risk-benefit balance in women at risk for stroke [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) and Clinical Studies (14.5) ]. WARNING: INCREASED RISK OF VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM AND DEATH FROM STROKE See full prescribing information for complete boxed warning. Increased risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism have been reported with raloxifene hydrochloride tablets ( 5.1 ). Women with active or past history of venous thromboembolism should not take raloxifene hydrochloride tablets ( 4.1 ). Increased risk of death due to stroke occurred in a trial in postmenopausal women with documented coronary heart disease or at increased risk for major coronary events. Consider risk-benefit balance in women at risk for stroke ( 5.2 , 14.5 ).
Warnings
Important safety information
Venous Thromboembolism: Increased risk of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and retinal vein thrombosis. Discontinue use 72 hours prior to and during prolonged immobilization. ( 5.1 , 6.1 ) Death Due to Stroke: Increased risk of death due to stroke occurred in a trial in postmenopausal women with documented coronary heart disease or at increased risk for major coronary events. No increased risk of stroke was seen in this trial. Consider risk-benefit balance in women at risk for stroke. ( 5.2 , 14.5 ) Cardiovascular Diseas e: Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets should not be used for the primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. ( 5.3 , 14.5 ) Premenopausal Women: Use is not recommended. ( 5.4 ) Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution. ( 5.5 ) Concomitant Use with Systemic Estrogens: Not recommended. ( 5.6 ) Hypertriglyceridemia: If previous treatment with estrogen resulted in hypertriglyceridemia, monitor serum triglycerides. ( 5.7 ) 5.1 Venous Thromboembolism In clinical trials, raloxifene hydrochloride-treated women had an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism). Other venous thromboembolic events also could occur. A less serious event, superficial thrombophlebitis, also has been reported more frequently with raloxifene hydrochloride tablets than with placebo. The greatest risk for deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism occurs during the first 4 months of treatment, and the magnitude of risk appears to be similar to the reported risk associated with use of hormone therapy. Because immobilization increases the risk for venous thromboembolic events independent of therapy, raloxifene hydrochloride tablets should be discontinued at least 72 hours prior to and during prolonged immobilization (e.g., post-surgical recovery, prolonged bed rest), and raloxifene hydrochloride tablets therapy should be resumed only after the patient is fully ambulatory. In addition, women taking raloxifene hydrochloride tablets should be advised to move about periodically during prolonged travel. The risk-benefit balance should be considered in women at risk of thromboembolic disease for other reasons, such as congestive heart failure, superficial thrombophlebitis, and active malignancy [see Contraindications (4.1) and Adverse Reactions (6.1) ]. 5.2 Death Due to Stroke In a clinical trial of postmenopausal women with documented coronary heart disease or at increased risk for coronary events, an increased risk of death due to stroke was observed after treatment with raloxifene hydrochloride tablets. During an average follow-up of 5.6 years, 59 (1.2%) raloxifene hydrochloride tablets -treated women died due to a stroke compared to 39 (0.8%) placebo-treated women (22 versus 15 per 10,000 women-years; hazard ratio 1.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.00 to 2.24; p=0.0499). There was no statistically significant difference between treatment groups in a incidence of stroke (249 in raloxifene hydrochloride tablets [4.9%] versus 224 placebo [4.4%]). Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets had no significant effect on all-cause mortality. The risk-benefit balance should be considered in women at risk for stroke, such as prior stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), atrial fibrillation, hypertension, or cigarette smoking [see Clinical Studies (14.5) ]. 5.3 Cardiovascular Disease Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets should not be used for the primary or secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. In a clinical trial of postmenopausal women with documented coronary heart disease or at increased risk for coronary events, no cardiovascular benefit was demonstrated after treatment with raloxifene for 5 years [see Clinical Studies (14.5) ]. 5.4 Premenopausal Use There is no indication for premenopausal use of raloxifene hydrochloride tablets. Safety of raloxifene hydrochloride tablets in premenopausal women has not been established and its use is not recommended. Additionally, there is concern regarding inadvertent drug exposure in pregnancy in women of reproductive potential who become pregnant, due to risk of fetal harm [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ]. 5.5 Hepatic Impairment Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment. Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients with hepatic impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. 5.6 Concomitant Estrogen Therapy The safety of concomitant use of raloxifene hydrochloride tablets with systemic estrogens has not been established and its use is not recommended. 5.7 History of Hypertriglyceridemia when Treated with Estrogens Limited clinical data suggest that some women with a history of marked hypertriglyceridemia (>5.6 mmol/L or >500 mg/dL) in response to treatment with oral estrogen or estrogen plus progestin may develop increased levels of triglycerides when treated with raloxifene hydrochloride tablets. Women with this medical history should have serum triglycerides monitored when taking raloxifene hydrochloride tablets. 5.8 Renal Impairment Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets should be used with caution in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment. Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients with moderate or severe renal impairment [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. 5.9 History of Breast Cancer Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets have not been adequately studied in women with a prior history of breast cancer. 5.10 Use in Men There is no indication for the use of raloxifene hydrochloride tablets in men. Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets have not been adequately studied in men and its use is not recommended. 5.11 Unexplained Uterine Bleeding Any unexplained uterine bleeding should be investigated as clinically indicated. Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets-treated and placebo-treated groups had similar incidences of endometrial proliferation [see Clinical Studies (14.1 , 14.2 )] 5.12 Breast Abnormalities Any unexplained breast abnormality occurring during raloxifene hydrochloride tablets therapy should be investigated. Raloxifene hydrochloride does not eliminate the risk of breast cancer [see Clinical Studies (14.4 )].
Who should not take Raloxifene Hydrochloride
Active or past history of venous thromboembolism, including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and retinal vein thrombosis. ( 4.1 ) Pregnancy ( 4.2 , 8.1 ) 4.1 Venous Thromboembolism Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets are contraindicated in women with active or past history of venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and retinal vein thrombosis [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. 4.2 Pregnancy Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets are contraindicated in pregnancy, as it may cause fetal harm [see Use in Specific Populations (8.1) ] .
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
In an 8-week study of 63 postmenopausal women, a dose of raloxifene hydrochloride (HCl) 600 mg/day was safely tolerated. In clinical trials, no raloxifene overdose has been reported. In postmarketing spontaneous reports, raloxifene overdose has been reported very rarely (less than 1 out of 10,000 [<0.01%] patients treated). The highest overdose has been approximately 1.5 grams. No fatalities associated with raloxifene overdose have been reported. Adverse reactions were reported in approximately half of the adults who took ≥180 mg raloxifene HCl and included leg cramps and dizziness. Two 18-month-old children each ingested raloxifene HCl 180 mg. In these two children, symptoms reported included ataxia, dizziness, vomiting, rash, diarrhea, tremor, and flushing, as well as elevation in alkaline phosphatase. There is no specific antidote for raloxifene. No mortality was seen after a single oral dose in rats or mice at 5000 mg/kg (810 times the human dose for rats and 405 times the human dose for mice based on surface area, mg/m 2 ) or in monkeys at 1000 mg/kg (80 times the AUC in humans).
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Interactions
Cholestyramine: Use with raloxifene hydrochloride tablets is not recommended. Reduces the absorption and enterohepatic cycling of raloxifene. ( 7.1 , 12.3 ) • Warfarin: Monitor prothrombin time when starting or stopping Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets. ( 7.2 , 12.3 ) • Highly Protein-Bound Drugs: Use with Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets with caution. Highly protein-bound drugs include diazepam, diazoxide, and lidocaine. Raloxifene hydrochloride is more than 95% bound to plasma proteins. ( 7.3 , 12.3 ) 7.1 Cholestyramine Concomitant administration of cholestyramine with raloxifene hydrochloride tablets is not recommended. Although not specifically studied, it is anticipated that other anion exchange resins would have a similar effect. Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets should not be co-administered with other anion exchange resins [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. 7.2 Warfarin If raloxifene hydrochloride tablets are given concomitantly with warfarin or other warfarin derivatives, prothrombin time should be monitored more closely when starting or stopping therapy with raloxifene hydrochloride tablets [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. 7.3 Other Highly Protein-Bound Drugs Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets should be used with caution with certain other highly protein-bound drugs such as diazepam, diazoxide, and lidocaine. Although not examined, raloxifene hydrochloride tablets might affect the protein binding of other drugs. Raloxifene is more than 95% bound to plasma proteins [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. 7.4 Systemic Estrogens The safety of concomitant use of raloxifene hydrochloride tablets with systemic estrogens has not been established and its use is not recommended. 7.5 Other Concomitant Medications Raloxifene hydrochloride tablets can be concomitantly administered with ampicillin, amoxicillin, antacids, corticosteroids, and digoxin [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. The concomitant use of raloxifene hydrochloride tablets and lipid-lowering agents has not been studied.
Drug class
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
Dosage forms
Tablet
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Raloxifene Hydrochloride treat?
- Raloxifene Hydrochloride (Raloxifene Hydrochloride) may be used to treat postmenopausal osteoporosis, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- How is Raloxifene Hydrochloride rated?
- pharmaranks gives Raloxifene Hydrochloride a composite score of 3.6 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.
- How much does Raloxifene Hydrochloride cost?
- Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $7.20 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Raloxifene Hydrochloride?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Raloxifene Hydrochloride. To pay less, Raloxifene Hydrochloride is already a generic — usually the lowest-cost version — so the main levers are comparing cash prices between pharmacies and using a pharmacy discount-card service. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Raloxifene Hydrochloride?
- Raloxifene Hydrochloride is marketed by Invagen Pharms. You can see Invagen Pharms's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Raloxifene Hydrochloride a brand-name or generic drug?
- Raloxifene Hydrochloride is a generic medication; its active ingredient is Raloxifene Hydrochloride. Generics contain the same active ingredient as the brand-name original and are usually lower cost.
- Is Raloxifene Hydrochloride available over the counter?
- No. Raloxifene Hydrochloride is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Raloxifene Hydrochloride come in?
- Raloxifene Hydrochloride is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Raloxifene Hydrochloride?
- Raloxifene Hydrochloride is classified as estrogen agonist/antagonist, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Raloxifene Hydrochloride FDA-registered?
- Raloxifene Hydrochloride is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number ANDA090842. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Has Raloxifene Hydrochloride been recalled by the FDA?
- Yes. Raloxifene Hydrochloride has 1 recorded FDA recall event in the openFDA enforcement database. A recall removes specific lots from the market — usually for manufacturing, contamination, potency, or labeling issues — and does not mean the drug is unsafe to take; your specific lot was almost certainly never affected. This recall history is factored into its safety score above. Always check the FDA recall database or your pharmacist for current alerts.
- Is Raloxifene Hydrochloride safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Raloxifene Hydrochloride a recall-safety score of 72/100, based on its FDA recall history (1 recorded recall event) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Raloxifene Hydrochloride?
- Raloxifene Hydrochloride's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: Adverse reactions (>2% and more common than with placebo) include: hot flashes, leg cramps, peripheral edema, flu syndrome, arthralgia, sweating. ( 6.1 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Exelan Pharmaceuticals,… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
What people report to the FDA about Raloxifene Hydrochloride
The FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) collects reports from patients and clinicians. It holds 983 reports naming Raloxifene Hydrochloride, and the FDA flagged 66% of those reports as serious. The effects reported most often — leaving out reports about overdose, misuse or the condition being treated, which dominate the raw list for common medicines:
- fall56 reports
- arthralgia51 reports
- fatigue50 reports
- nausea45 reports
- back pain41 reports
- diarrhoea38 reports
- headache37 reports
- asthenia34 reports
Read these as a signal, not a rate. A report does not mean Raloxifene Hydrochloride caused the effect — anyone can file one, and many describe people taking several medicines for several conditions. Crucially there is no denominator: FAERS does not record how many people took the drug, so these counts cannot be turned into “X% of patients” — a bigger number often just means a more widely used or more talked-about drug. Duplicates exist, and publicity drives reporting. For what is actually established, read the FDA label.
Source: openFDA drug/event (FAERS), retrieved September 26, 2026.
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