What is Evista?

Evista, a derived brand name from raloxifene classification, helps in preventing and treating osteoporosis,  a condition characterized by the thinning of the bones,  in postmenopausal women only.  Evista functions similar to estrogen which inhibits bone loss in postmenopausal period. Clinical trials were conducted and results showed that Evista may have the ability to lower the chances of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

Evista is produced by Eli Lilly and Company, and was granted approval by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1999.

Evista and Probable Risks for Stroke and Blood Clot

There was a latest result of a study published by the New England Journal of Medicine that stated that while postmenopausal women who used Evista has developed some cases of breast cancer compared to women who used placebo. They also had siffered more fatal stroked and probably harmful blood clots.

Eli Lilly and Company gave its official statement through their official website that in a study of postmenopausal women who were at risks for cardiovascular diseases, there was no increase in the occurrence of stroke related with the use of Evista, but there was an increase in the rate of death because of stroke.

If you have experienced or a history of active blood blot formation, or any condition that increased the chances of blood clots, you should inform your healthcare provider or physician before they prescribe Evista.

Evista and its Side Effects

Evista does not perform like estrogen that stimulates the uterus or breasts, hence, you must inform your healthcare provider if you are experiencing vaginal bleeding, breast pain or enlargement or inflammation of the hands or feet. Notify your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, persistently or severely:

• Sudden chest pain or chest heaviness
• Difficulty in breathing and/coughing of blood
• Sudden changes in vision like loss of vision or blurring
• Swelling of the hands, lower legs, feet, ankles
• Hot flashes, especially within the first six months of medication using Evista
• Leg cramps

Do not ignore some symptoms because they can be fatal. If you are experiencing any or more of the following symptoms, contact your physician or your healthcare provider immediately:

• Swelling, warmth and pain in the calves, hands, legs, and feet

What shall I tell my healthcare provider?

Inform your healthcare provider if you:

• Had or have any allergy to Evista, or to other substances like foods, preservatives, or dyes
• Staying still for a longer time causes blood clots because Evista may worsen the condition
• Planning or being scheduled to any surgery and needed to have a long period of inactivity such as sitting or bed rest
• Are pregnant or planning to be pregnant, or if you are breastfeeding your baby; although it is not proven if Evista goes through breast milk but it may cause negative effects on babies, some birth defects
• Have suffered from blood clot formation condition, either active or history including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and retinal embolism
• Have cancer or tumors
• Congestive heart failure
• Have liver problems

Is there any interaction with drugs of foods?

Evista and other medicines have the ability to interact with one another. Notify your healthcare provider about all the medications that you took or are taking, including the prescription and non-prescription medicines, particularly:

• Estrogens such as Premarin in injection form; Premarin, Estrace, Estratab taken orally; vivelle, Estrace, and Climara as transdermal
• Cholestyramine or Questran
• Warfarin or Coumadin

Obtaining Legal Help

Since all medications have side effects, a drug manufacturer has the obligation to make sure that they product safe and effective products and notify the medical community and the general public of it risks related with the drugs. If the manufacturer fails to do so, then they can be held legally liable if the users of their products are injured as a consequence insufficient warnings or for the hazardous nature of the drug, under the legal theory known as “product liability.”

If you or any of you family members are experiencing the hazardous symptoms while taking Evista, you must consult first with your healthcare provider of your physician. Then, you can look for an experienced lawyer to discuss your condition and your probable legal options to safeguard you right to a legal solution for the injury sustained caused by the use of Evista.