Idoxifene is primarily used in medical research and treatment, particularly in the field of oncology. It functions as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), making it valuable in the management of hormone-dependent cancers, such as breast cancer. By binding to estrogen receptors, it can block the effects of estrogen in certain tissues, which helps inhibit the growth of cancer cells that rely on estrogen for proliferation. Additionally, it has been studied for its potential in treating osteoporosis due to its ability to mimic estrogen's beneficial effects on bone density. However, its clinical use is limited compared to other SERMs, and it remains more prominent in research settings for exploring novel therapeutic approaches.