Two medicines, side by side
Raloxifene vs anastrozole
Raloxifene and anastrozole are both labeled for breast cancer. Drugs@FDA records approvals of raloxifene since 1997 and of anastrozole since 1995. Pharmacies paid $0.223 per raloxifene HCl 60 mg tablet and $0.142 per anastrozole 1 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, raloxifene is an estrogen agonist/antagonist and anastrozole an aromatase inhibitor.
Check it at the source: the raloxifene FDA label on DailyMed (effective April 14, 2026); the anastrozole FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 2, 2026).
Highlights of the raloxifene record
Raloxifene (Evista) · label of April 14, 2026
INCREASED RISK OF VENOUS THROMBOEMBOLISM AND DEATH FROM STROKE Increased risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism have been reported with raloxifene hydrochloride [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Women with active or past history of venous thromboembolism should not take raloxifene hydrochloride [see Contraindications (4.1) ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsRaloxifene hydrochloride tablets are an estrogen agonist/antagonist indicated for: Treatment and prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. (1.1) Reduction in risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. (1.2) Reduction in risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women at high risk for invasive breast cancer. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 9, 1997
- Generic labelers
- 17 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.223 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 1
Highlights of the anastrozole record
Anastrozole (Arimidex) · label of March 2, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsARIMIDEX is an aromatase inhibitor indicated for: • Adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer ( 1.1 ) • First-line treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive or hormone receptor-unknown locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer ( 1.2 ) • Treatment of advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women with disease progression following tamoxifen therapy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- December 27, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 24 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.142 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 4
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Raloxifene label of April 14, 2026, Anastrozole label of March 2, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do raloxifene and anastrozole differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, raloxifene is an estrogen agonist/antagonist and anastrozole an aromatase inhibitor.
How each works, in its label's words: Raloxifene, “Raloxifene is an estrogen agonist/antagonist, commonly referred to as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM).”; Anastrozole, “The growth of many cancers of the breast is stimulated or maintained by estrogens.”
Half-life, in each label's words: Raloxifene, “Raloxifene and its glucuronide conjugates are interconverted by reversible systemic metabolism and enterohepatic …”; Anastrozole, “The mean elimination half-life of anastrozole is 50 hours.”
Only the raloxifene label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: raloxifene since 2014; anastrozole since 2010 (Drugs@FDA).
| Raloxifene | Anastrozole | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Osteoporosis, Breast cancer | Breast cancer |
| Pharmacologic class | Estrogen Agonist/Antagonist | Aromatase Inhibitor |
| How it works (label) | Raloxifene is an estrogen agonist/antagonist, commonly referred to as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). The biological actions of raloxifene are largely mediated through binding to estrogen receptors. | The growth of many cancers of the breast is stimulated or maintained by estrogens. |
| Half-life (label) | Raloxifene and its glucuronide conjugates are interconverted by reversible systemic metabolism and enterohepatic cycling, thereby prolonging its plasma elimination half-life to 27.7 hours after oral dosing. | The mean elimination half-life of anastrozole is 50 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | December 9, 1997 | December 27, 1995 |
| First generic approved | March 4, 2014 | June 28, 2010 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 17 labelers | 24 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.223 per tablet (Raloxifene HCl 60 mg tablet) | $0.142 per tablet (Anastrozole 1 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -11% | +3% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 1 | 4 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 16,046 | 36,521 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to raloxifene
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions