J Menopausal Med.  2018 Dec;24(3):183-187. 10.6118/jmm.2018.24.3.183.

The Beneficial and Adverse Effects of Raloxifene in Menopausal Women: A Mini Review

• Khorsand I
• Kashef R
• Ghazanfarpour M
• Mansouri E
• Dashti S
• Khadivzadeh T

• KMID: 2455892
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.6118/jmm.2018.24.3.183

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The present mini review aimed to summarize the existing knowledge regarding the beneficial and adverse effects of raloxifene in menopausal women.
METHODS
This study is a review of relevant publications about the effects of raloxifene on sleep disorder, depression, venous thromboembolism, the plasma concentration of lipoprotein, breast cancer, and cognitive function among menopausal women.
RESULTS
Raloxifene showed no significant effect on depression and sleep disorder. Verbal memory improved with administration of 60 mg/day of raloxifene while a mild cognitive impairment risk reduction by 33% was observed with administration of 120 mg/day of raloxifene. Raloxifene was associated with a 50% decrease in the need for prolapse surgery. The result of a meta-analysis showed a significant decline in the plasma concentration of lipoprotein in the raloxifene group compared to placebo (standardized mean difference, −0.43; 10 trials). A network meta-analysis showed that raloxifene significantly decreased the risk of breast cancer (relative risk, 0.572; 95% confidence interval, 0.327-0.881; P = 0.01). In terms of adverse effects of raloxifene, the odds ratio (OR) was observed to be 1.54 (P = 0.006), indicating 54% increase in the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) while the OR for pulmonary embolism (PE) was 1.05, suggesting a 91% increase in the risk of PE alone (P = 0.03).
CONCLUSIONS
Raloxifene had no significant effect on depression and sleep disorder but decreased the concentration of lipoprotein. Raloxifene administration was associated with an increased risk of DVT and PE and a decreased risk of breast cancer and pelvic organ prolapse in postmenopausal women.

Keyword

Depression; Lipoproteins; Raloxifene hydrochloride; Sleep wake disorders; Venous thromboembolism

MeSH Terms

Breast Neoplasms
Cognition
Depression
Female
Humans
Lipoproteins
Memory
Mild Cognitive Impairment
Odds Ratio
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Plasma
Prolapse
Pulmonary Embolism
Raloxifene Hydrochloride*
Risk Reduction Behavior
Sleep Wake Disorders
Venous Thromboembolism
Venous Thrombosis
Lipoproteins
Raloxifene Hydrochloride

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