Last update July 12, 2025

Raloxifene Hydrochloride

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

Selective estrogen receptor modulator. Estrogen agonist in bone receptors and estrogen antagonist in breast and uterine tissue. Indicated for the treatment of osteoporosis and prevention of breast cancer. Oral administration once a day.

At the date of the last update, we found no published data on its excretion in breast milk.

Its pharmacokinetic data (large volume of distribution, moderately high molecular weight and high percentage of protein binding) make it unlikely that significant amounts will pass into breast milk.

Its low oral bioavailability makes it difficult for it to pass into the infant's plasma from ingested breast milk, except in premature babies and the immediate neonatal period, when there may be greater intestinal permeability.

Raloxifene does not alter prolactin secretion in premenopausal women, but it does increase levels of oestradiol and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). (Faupel 2006)

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for Raloxifene Hydrochloride.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Other names

Raloxifene Hydrochloride in other languages or writings:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Raloxifene Hydrochloride in its composition:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 2 %
Molecular weight 510 daltons
Protein Binding 98 - 99 %
VD 2.348 l/Kg
pKa 9 -
Tmax 6 hours
27 - 32 hours

References

  1. EMA. Raloxifene. Drug Summary. 2010 Full text (in our servers)
  2. Faupel-Badger JM, Prindiville SA, Venzon D, Vonderhaar BK, Zujewski JA, Eng-Wong J. Effects of raloxifene on circulating prolactin and estradiol levels in premenopausal women at high risk for developing breast cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2006 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. Heringa M. Review on raloxifene: profile of a selective estrogen receptor modulator. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2003 Abstract

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