Efficacy and safety of raloxifene 60 milligrams/day in postmenopausal Asian women

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2003 Jul;88(7):3130-6. doi: 10.1210/jc.2002-021855.

Abstract

In healthy Caucasian postmenopausal women, raloxifene increases bone mineral density (BMD), decreases biochemical markers of bone turnover, and lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, without effects on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. This randomized, double-blind study examines the effects of raloxifene 60 mg/d (n = 483) or placebo (n = 485) in healthy postmenopausal Asian women (mean age 57 yr) from Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Serum osteocalcin, serum N-telopeptide, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were assessed at baseline and 6 months. Lumbar spine BMD was measured at baseline and 1 yr in 309 women from 4 countries. Clinical adverse events were recorded at each interim visit. At 6 months, raloxifene 60 mg/d significantly decreased osteocalcin, N-telopeptide, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol by medians of 15.9%, 14.6%, 5.3%, and 7.7%, respectively, from placebo. Changes in HDL cholesterol and triglycerides were similar between raloxifene and placebo. Raloxifene 60 mg/d increased mean lumbar spine BMD (1.9%) from placebo at 1 yr (P = 0.0003). The incidences of hot flashes (placebo 3.5%, raloxifene 5.6%, P = 0.12), and leg cramps (placebo 2.7%, raloxifene 4.3%, P = 0.16) were not different between groups. No case of venous thromboembolism was reported. The effects of raloxifene 60 mg/d on bone turnover, BMD, and serum lipids in healthy postmenopausal Asian women were similar to that previously reported in Caucasian women.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Asian People
  • Bone Density / drug effects
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Estrogen Antagonists / administration & dosage*
  • Estrogen Antagonists / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae
  • Middle Aged
  • Osteoporosis / ethnology
  • Osteoporosis / prevention & control*
  • Postmenopause
  • Raloxifene Hydrochloride / administration & dosage*
  • Raloxifene Hydrochloride / adverse effects
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Estrogen Antagonists
  • Triglycerides
  • Raloxifene Hydrochloride