Q: I am suffering from osteoporosis and my doctor has advised me to take 1 tablet of Sermifen daily. I also take 1 tablet of Adtrol (400 mg) daily. I have been taking these medicines for about 8 months. Now, my periods have also stopped which was not the case when this medication was started. Should I continue to take these medicines? Do any of these medicines have a harmful effect over a long period of time?

A:Sermifen is the trade name of a medicine called raloxifene. Similarly Adtrol is a multi-ingredient product containing calcium, calcitrol and zinc. Raloxifene is not used in pre-menopausal women and I do not know why it was prescribed to you when your periods were still on. In any event now that you have reached the state of post-menopause, you can continue the medication. In view of a large number of substandard drugs in the market, it is always a good policy to take brands marketed by reputed companies such as Bonmax of raloxifene, and Logical or Trical-D of calcium supplements.