[Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs)].

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have the potential to provide the skeletal benefits of estrogen without the increased risk of uterine and breast cancer. Raloxifene, second generation SERM has been approved for the prevention and treatment of post-menopausal osteoporosis. Bazedoxifene, third generation SERM acts as a tissue selective estrogen antagonist or agonist. These SERMs inhibited bone turnover and prevented bone loss caused estrogen deficiency. Furthermore, these SERMs did not affect the uterine endometrial thickness and reduced serum cholesterol. These data suggest that SERMs are potential drug for the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.