Raloxifene is indicated in the treatment of which conditions?

Raloxifene is primarily indicated for the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and for the reduction of the risk of invasive breast cancer in women with osteoporosis. It is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that exhibits estrogenic effects on bone, which helps to prevent bone loss and reduce the risk of fractures. Additionally, it has anti-estrogenic effects in breast tissue, which can lower the risk of developing breast cancer in women who are at risk.

The medication works by binding to estrogen receptors in bone and mimicking estrogen's beneficial effects on bone density while avoiding some of the negative effects estrogen can have in other tissues, such as the breast. Consequently, its role in treating both osteoporosis and breast cancer risk makes it an important therapeutic option in these specific conditions.