Raloxifene Side Effects
FDA warning about stroke
The FDA requires that all raloxifene products carry a warning about the potential for stroke, a potential side effect of raloxifene.
The warning label typically reads, “WARNING: Increased risk of death from venous thromboembolism and stroke.”
An increased risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism has been reported with EVISTAR.
Women with an ongoing or past history of venous thromboembolism should not take EVISTAR.
In clinical trials in postmenopausal women with coronary heart disease or at increased risk for major coronary events, there was an increased risk of death from stroke.
Women at risk for stroke should consider the balance of risk and benefit.”
Raloxifene side effects related to stroke risk may be of concern primarily to female patients, for whom the drug is initially (and almost exclusively) prescribed.
In fact, this potential raloxifene side effect is actually a side effect that is seen with all SERMs (Nolvadex, Clomid, and Toremifene are all equally affected).
It's a risk inherent in all similarly related compounds, but women may be at higher risk for this raloxifene side effect than men.
Blood clots and stroke
In clinical studies of female patients taking raloxifene, rare cases of serious blood clots forming in the legs, eyes, or lungs, as well as leg edema (swelling), leg pain, chest pain, respiratory problems, and vision problems have been reported [1] [2] [3].
Other Raloxifene Side Effects
Other common raloxifene side effects (which may or may not include those described above) include headache, malaise, cramps, abdominal bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, and facial flushing.
Rare raloxifene side effects include ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, low platelets, low white blood cell count, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, narrowing of arteries, vaginal bleeding, inflammation of veins, blood clots, and breast pain.
Most of the raloxifene side effects listed above are not typically seen in male users, which make up almost all anabolic steroid users who use raloxifene for any reason.
It is important to note that the majority of reported and documented side effects are almost exclusively centered around female patients.
Medical references
[1] 355:125-137 July 13, 2006 Effects of Raloxifene on Cardiovascular Disease and Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, Laurie Mosca, Peter Collins, et al, Investigators, Raloxifene Use for The Heart (RUTH) Trial [Free Full Text].
[2] Barrett-Connor E, Mosca L, Collins P, et al. (2006-07-13). “Effects of Raloxifene on Cardiovascular Disease and Breast Cancer in Postmenopausal Women”. The New England Journal of Medicine 355 (2). pp: 125-137. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa062462. PMID 16837676.
[3] OncoGenetics.org (September 2009). “Drug effective in reducing breast cancer risk, but increases risk of side effects”. OncoGenetics.Org. Retrieved 2009-09-14
