Raloxifene is a non-steroidal benzothiophene derivative with selective estrogen receptor modulator activity. It acts as a ligand for the estrogen receptor and, depending on the tissue's subtype of estrogen receptors or available cellular proteins, can cause an estrogenic agonist or antagonist reaction or may not cause any apparent change in a tissue's gene expression. It has estrogen-like effects on bone and increases bone mineral density. It reduces resorption of bone and decreases overall bone turnover. It also has estrogen-like effects for lowering serum total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. It has not been associated with other estrogen-like effects e.g. endometrial proliferation, breast pain, or breast enlargement.