Definition

A drug used to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women who are at high risk of developing the disease or who have osteoporosis and to prevent and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. Raloxifene hydrochloride is also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. It blocks the effects of the hormone estrogen in breast tissue, which may help keep breast cancer cells from growing. Raloxifene hydrochloride may also help keep bone from breaking down. It is a type of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). Raloxifene is the active ingredient of raloxifene hydrochloride. Also called Evista.