Osteoporosis Drug Safe for the Heart

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Osteoporosis Drug Safe for the Heart

Feb. 20, 2002 (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study shows a drug used to

treat osteoporosis is safe for the heart and may even reduce the risk of

heart problems in some women.

Researchers collaborating in the Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene

Evaluation (MORE) trial studied more than 7,700 postmenopausal women

treated for osteoporosis with the drug raloxifene. The drug alters the

cycle of bone formation and breakdown to reduce bone tissue loss.

One-third of the women received a 60 mg dose of raloxifene each day;

another third received a 120 mg daily dose, while the last third

received a placebo. Researchers then measured cardiovascular events,

such as heart attack and chest pain as well as cerebrovascular events,

such as stroke.

There were no significant differences between the groups in the number

of combined coronary and cerebrovascular events, however, researchers

found women who took the lowest does of raloxifene had a 14-percent

lower risk of combined events. Those who took the higher dose had a

2-percent lower risk than those who received a placebo. Further, authors

of the study write, " Among the subset of 1,035 women with increased

cardiovascular risk at baseline, those assigned to raloxifene had a

significantly lower risk of cardiovascular events compared with placebo

[40 percent lower risk for both raloxifene groups]. "

Authors conclude there was no evidence the drug caused an early increase

in the risk of cardiovascular events. Whether it compromises or benefits

cardiovascular health is currently being studied in a separate trial.

They conclude, " Before raloxifene is used for prevention of

cardiovascular events, these findings require confirmation in trials

with evaluation of cardiovascular outcomes as the primary objective. "

SOURCE: Journal of the American Medical Association, 2002;287:847-857