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

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

Word History

Etymology

ral- (of unknown origin) + -oxifene, alteration of -oxifen (as in tamoxifen)

First Known Use

1993, in the meaning defined above

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