Woman's Health - Optruma (Brand name: evista)

Common use

Evista is a medication which is used to help prevent and treat thinning of the bones (osteoporosis) only in post-menopausal women. Evista stops the bone loss that can develop in women after menopause and decreases the risk of invasive breast cancer by blocking estrogen in breast and uterine tissue. It is also used to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in post-menopausal women who have osteoporosis or who are at risk of invasive breast cancer.

Dosage and direction

Take it orally with or without food/milk once daily.
Commonly dose for adults is 60 mg a day. For best result use this drug with Calcium and/or Vitamin D.
Note: this instruction is presented here just for review. It's very necessary to consult your doctor before using the medication. It will help you to get best results.

Precautions

Try to avoid sitting still for long periods of time; particularly during travel. You may stop taking this medication up to 3 days prior to undergoing surgery or bed rest. Anyone treating your or performing surgery should know that you are taking Evista. Do not use Evista if you have a history of blood clots. Evista should not be used during pregnancy (becoming pregnant) or when lactating without doctor's advice. Do not use before breast-feeding without doctor's advice.

Contraindications

Evista is not allowed in people with active or past history of venous thromboembolism, including deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and retinal vein thrombosis.

Possible side effect

They may include all types of an allergic reaction. Also the most possible side effects include:
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body;
sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance;
chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, fast heart rate;
pain or swelling in one or both legs;
swelling in your hands or feet;
fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, flu symptoms;
unusual vaginal bleeding;
breast pain, tenderness, or lump;
pain or burning when you urinate;
severe pain in your lower back.
Less serious include:
hot flashes;
headache, dizziness, spinning sensation;
leg pain;
joint pain;
increased sweating;
nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
runny or stuffy nose.
If you experience one of them stop using Evista and tell your doctor as soon as possible. Also consult your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual.

Drug interaction

Evista interacts with the following medications: a blood thinner such as warfarin; cholestyramine; diazepam; diazoxide; birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy. Also note that interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. As usual it affects  the effect of drugs, so consult your doctor about the way these interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Missed dose

If you forgot to take your dose in time, please do it as soon as you remember. But do not take if it is too late or almost time for your next dose. Do not increase your recommended dose. Take your usual dose next day in the same regular time.

Overdose

Symptoms of Evista overdose include: leg cramps and dizziness. If you experience one of them or any unusual symptoms call your doctor immediately.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture, kids and pets. Do not use after expiration term.

Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information on the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment.