Evista and Alcohol
Evista generic name raloxifene is s drug that affects the cycle of bone formation and breakdown in the body and reduces loss of bone. It is used to treat or prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and is also used to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women who have osteoporosis or who are at risk of invasive breast cancer.
It is suggested only moderate alcohol consumption be considered as side effects may be increased.
At this time the medical community defines moderate consumption of alcohol as no more than two drinks per day and no more than 14 drinks per week. Anything more than that is considered an unhealthy dependency on alcohol that may have adverse social, family and health consequences.
If a person drinks only once or twice a week but drinks on the same days each week and more than two drinks this is considered as an alcohol dependency.
If a person binge drinks at any time during the week this is also considered as alcoholism.
Some consider alcoholism as a disease while others consider it an addiction which is the result of personal choice and character fault. This school of thought blames the alcoholism on life style choices.
Personally I consider alcoholism a genetic tendency as I have seen families of alcoholics even when they live far apart. These unfortunate people are probably dependent on alcohol from the first drink.
When alcohol interacts with prescription over the counter drugs it usually results in negative health effects most especially liver damage as the main organ affected.
Evista should not be used if you are pregnant as birth defects in the baby could occur.
Before starting this drug it is advised that you advice your physician if you are allergic to this or any other drug, if you smoke, or have coronary heart disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, liver or kidney disease, history of stroke or mini-stroke, high triglycerides, high cholesterol, gone through menopause or have had breast cancer.
Less serious side effects are hot flashes, headache, dizziness, spinning sensation, leg pain, joint pain, increased sweating, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, runny or stuffy nose. If these occur call your physician for advice.
Serious side effects are numbness or weakness on one side of the body, sudden headache, confusion, vision, speech, balance problems, chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, fast heart rate, pain or swelling in hands or feet, fever, chills, sore throat, body aches, flu symptoms, unusual vaginal bleeding, breast pain, tenderness or lump, pain or burning when urinating or severe pain in your lower back. If these occur get emergency medical help.