Which two medications are examples of SERMs?

Which two medications are examples of SERMs?

• A. Estradiol and Progesterone
• B. Raloxifene (Evista) and Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)
• C. Finasteride and Tamsulosin
• D. Alendronate and Risedronate

Answer: (B)

SERMs are drugs that bind estrogen receptors but have different effects in different tissues—they block estrogen in some places while mimicking it in others. Tamoxifen blocks estrogen in breast tissue, helping treat ER-positive breast cancer, but can act like estrogen in the uterus, potentially raising endometrial cancer risk. Raloxifene also blocks estrogen in the breast and uterus, yet acts like estrogen in bone, helping maintain bone density without increasing endometrial risk. Therefore, the two medications that are SERMs are raloxifene and tamoxifen. The other options are hormones or non-SERM drugs (like bisphosphonates or alpha-blockers), which do not have this selective receptor-modulating profile.

SERMs are drugs that bind estrogen receptors but have different effects in different tissues—they block estrogen in some places while mimicking it in others. Tamoxifen blocks estrogen in breast tissue, helping treat ER-positive breast cancer, but can act like estrogen in the uterus, potentially raising endometrial cancer risk. Raloxifene also blocks estrogen in the breast and uterus, yet acts like estrogen in bone, helping maintain bone density without increasing endometrial risk.

Therefore, the two medications that are SERMs are raloxifene and tamoxifen. The other options are hormones or non-SERM drugs (like bisphosphonates or alpha-blockers), which do not have this selective receptor-modulating profile.