Dec 25, 2009

Encyclopedia of Cancer | Raloxifene

Definition

Raloxifene is a synthetic compound similar to estrogen. It mimics the action of estrogen on the bones, but blocks the effects of estrogen on breast and uterine tissues.

Purpose

Raloxifene is a hormone therapy drug that protects against bone loss (osteoporosis) in postmenopausal women. During large studies of raloxifene's effectiveness against osteoporosis, researchers discovered that women taking the drug developed fewer breast cancers than women taking the placebo. Therefore, it is being researched as a drug used to fight breast cancer.

Description

In 1997 the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved...

[The entire page is 1231 words long]

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