SUMMARY CMI
RALOVISTA
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using RALOVISTA?
RALOVISTA contains the active ingredient raloxifene hydrochloride. RALOVISTA is used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in women after menopause. RALOVISTA is also used to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in women with osteoporosis after menopause and reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in women at high risk of invasive breast cancer after menopause.
For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using RALOVISTA? in the full CMI.
2. What should I know before I use RALOVISTA?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to raloxifene hydrochloride or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I use RALOVISTA? in the full CMI.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with RALOVISTA and affect how it works.
A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.
4. How do I take RALOVISTA?
- The usual dose is one tablet per day, which can be taken at any time of the day
More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I take RALOVISTA? in the full CMI.
5. What should I know while using RALOVISTA?
Things you should do |
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Things you should not do |
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Driving or using machines |
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Looking after your medicine |
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For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while using RALOVISTA? in the full CMI.
6. Are there any side effects?
There are a number of side effects associated with this medicine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking RALOVISTA, even if you do not think it is connected with this medicine.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
FULL CMI
RALOVISTA
Active ingredient(s): raloxifene hydrochloride
Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using RALOVISTA. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using RALOVISTA.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using RALOVISTA?
2. What should I know before I use RALOVISTA?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How do I take RALOVISTA?
5. What should I know while using RALOVISTA?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details
1. Why am I using RALOVISTA?
RALOVISTA contains the active ingredient raloxifene hydrochloride. RALOVISTA belongs to a group of non-hormonal medicines called Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs). When a woman reaches menopause, the level of the female sex hormone, oestrogen, goes down. RALOVISTA mimics some of the beneficial effects of oestrogen after menopause.
RALOVISTA is used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in women after menopause. It is also used to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in women with osteoporosis after menopause and reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in women at high risk of invasive breast cancer after menopause.
2. What should I know before I use RALOVISTA?
Warnings
Do not use RALOVISTA if:
- you are allergic to raloxifene hydrochloride, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
- always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
- you have not been through menopause. RALOVISTA is only for use by women after menopause and must not be taken by women who could still have a baby
- if you are being treated or have been treated for blood clots
- you are male. RALOVISTA is not intended for use in men.
Check with your doctor if you:
- have any unexplained vaginal bleeding.
- are at risk of blood clots.
- are, or know you will be immobilised for some time, e.g., being wheel-chair bound or having to stay in bed while recovering from an operation or illness.
- have liver disease
- are intolerant of lactose. RALOVISTA contains a small amount of lactose (about 150 mg) which is unlikely to affect you
- have menopausal symptoms, such as hot flushes. RALOVISTA does not treat hot flushes
- are on oestrogen or hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- have or have had high blood fats (triglycerides) caused by oestrogen
- have previously had a stroke, or if you have ever had other risk factors for stroke such as a mini-stroke (transient ischaemic attack) or a type of irregular heartbeat called atrial fibrillation
- have had breast cancer. RALOVISTA has not been fully studied in women who have a history of breast cancer.
Before starting and while taking RALOVISTA you should have breast examinations and mammograms, as directed by your Doctor.
RALOVISTA does not eliminate the chance of developing breast cancers, you need these examinations to find any breast cancers as early as possible.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
RALOVISTA is only for use by women after menopause and must not be taken by women who could still have a baby.
Check with your doctor is you are pregnant or intended to become pregnant.
You must tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Impaired liver function
- The use of RALOVISTA is not recommended in this patient population.
Use in men
RALOVISTA is not intended for use in men.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and RALOVISTA may interfere with each other. These include:
- medicines for your heart such as digitalis drugs (e.g. digoxin) or blood thinning drugs such as warfarin. Your doctor may need to adjust the dose of these medicines.
- hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or oestrogens.
- lipid-lowering drugs including cholestyramine.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect RALOVISTA.
4. How do I take RALOVISTA?
How much to take
- The usual dose of RALOVISTA is one tablet per day.
- For maximum benefit, RALOVISTA is intended for long-term use.
- Follow the instructions provided and use RALOVISTA until your do.
- You may take RALOVISTA with or without food.
When to take RALOVISTA
- It does not matter what time of day you take your tablet. However, it is best to take it at the same time each day as this will help you remember to take it.
How to take RALOVISTA
- RALOVISTA tablets should be swallowed whole with a glass of water.
When prescribed for the treatment or prevention of osteoporosis, RALOVISTA should be taken in conjunction with supplementary calcium if daily calcium intake is inadequate.
How long to take RALOVISTA
For maximum benefit, RALOVISTA is intended for long-term use.
Do not stop taking RALOVISTA without first talking to your doctor.
If you forget to use RALOVISTA
RALOVISTA should be used regularly at the same time each day.
If you miss your dose at the usual time, and it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to. Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, then go back to taking RALOVISTA as you would normally.
If you use too much RALOVISTA
If you think that you have used too much RALOVISTA, you may need urgent medical attention.
You should immediately:
- phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling 13 11 26), or - contact your doctor, or
- go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while using RALOVISTA?
Things you should do
- It is important that you remember to take RALOVISTA daily and at the dose prescribed by your doctor.
- If you become pregnant while taking RALOVISTA, tell your doctor.
Tell your doctor if you are immobilised for some time, e.g., being wheel-chair bound or having to stay in bed while recovering from an operation or illness.
If you are going on a long plane or car trip, you should move about periodically.
Tell your doctor if you have any vaginal bleeding.
Call your doctor straight away if you:
- have severe pain or swelling in your legs
- have severe stomach pain
- have shortness of breath or pain or breathing
- have problems with your eyesight.
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are using RALOVISTA.
Things you should not do
- Do not stop taking RALOVISTA without first checking with your doctor.
- Do not give RALOVISTA to anyone else, your doctor has prescribed it specifically for you
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how RALOVISTA affects you. RALOVISTA has no known effect on driving or the ability to use machinery.
Looking after your medicine
- Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them.
- Keep your tablets in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it:
- in the bathroom or near a sink, or
- in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.
When to discard your medicine
There will be an expiry date (month, year) on your RALOVISTA pack.
The medicine should not be taken after this date because it may have lost some of its strength.
Getting rid of any unwanted medicine
If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.
Less serious side effects
Less serious side effects | What to do |
General symptoms:
| Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you. |
Serious side effects
Serious side effects | What to do |
General symptoms:
| Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects. |
In clinical trials of RALOVISTA, some women experienced blood clots in the veins (venous thromboembolic events). This occurred in less than 1% of RALOVISTA patients. This is a serious side effect. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What RALOVISTA contains
Active ingredient (main ingredient) | Raloxifene hydrochloride |
Other ingredients (inactive ingredients) |
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
What RALOVISTA looks like
RALOVISTA is white to off-white, oval, biconvex, film coated tablets with ‘C’ on one side and ‘12’ on the other side. (Aust R 207898).
Who distributes RALOVISTA
Arrotex Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd
15-17 Chapel St
Cremorne, VIC 3121 Australia
This leaflet was prepared in August 2024.
Published by MIMS October 2024