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raloxifene
noun
ral·ox·i·fene
ˌra-ˈläk-sə-ˌfēn
: a drug used orally in the form of its hydrochloride C28H27NO4S·HCl as prophylaxis against osteoporosis after menopause
Examples of raloxifene in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This differs from a SERM like raloxifene which helps prevent bone loss.
—Laura Hensley, Verywell Health, 29 Nov. 2023
In a study comparing raloxifene and tamoxifen in patients over seven years (five years of taking the medication and two years of follow-up), researchers found that raloxifene can reduce risk of invasive breast cancer by about 38%.
—Laura Hensley, Verywell Health, 29 Nov. 2023
Some patients taking anastrozole and raloxifene experience joint stiffness, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, or bone thinning.
—Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 13 Nov. 2023
The two drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for prevention, tamoxifen and raloxifene, reduce estrogen in different ways but offer the same kind of protection.
—Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 13 Nov. 2023
In particular, two drugs—called tamoxifen and raloxifene—can block estrogen in the breast cells, lowering the risk of developing breast cancer by about 40%, according to the American Cancer Society.
—Maria Masters, Health.com, 17 Oct. 2017
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Word History
Etymology
ral- (of unknown origin) + -oxifene, alteration of -oxifen (as in tamoxifen)
First Known Use
1993, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near raloxifene
Cite this Entry
“Raloxifene.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/raloxifene. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Medical Definition
raloxifene
noun
ral·ox·i·fene
ˌral-ˈäk-sə-ˌfēn
: a drug used orally in the form of its hydrochloride C28H27NO4S·HCl to prevent and treat osteoporosis after menopause and to reduce the risk of developing invasive breast cancer
Note: Raloxifene binds to the estrogen receptors of cells and is in a class of drugs known as selective estrogen receptor modulators. It is marketed under the trademark Evista.
Drugs like raloxifene target estrogen receptors to preserve bone mass.—Claudia Kalb, Newsweek
… raloxifene operates as an estrogen agonist in bone but as an antagonist in the breast and uterus.—Gideon A. Rodan et al., Science
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