Oral Raloxifene, Transdermal Estradiol Similar at Preserving Bone Density

Estrogen therapy is highly effective in preserving postmenopausal BMD. However, current guidelines advocate prescribing the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible time. In a manufacturer-supported double-blind study, investigators compared the effects of transdermal microdose 17β-estradiol (0.014 mg released daily) to oral raloxifene (60 mg daily), a selective estrogen-receptor modulator, on BMD in 500 postmenopausal women (mean age, 66; ≥5 years post last menstrual period; intact uteri) who were at risk for osteoporosis (lumbar spine T-scores of –1.0 to –2.5).

Overall, 22% of estradiol users and 16% of raloxifene users discontinued therapy during the study. At 2 years, mean increases from baseline in lumbar spine BMD were similar in…