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Polidocanol Brand Names- Asclera | Varithena
What is Polidocanol
Polidocanol is an injectable sclerosing agent used for the treatment of varicose veins. It has also been under investigation for the management of esophageal varices and telangiectasis.
In a randomized clinical trial of 338 patients with spider veins or reticular veins, polidocanol injectable solution significantly improved veins (defined as improvement in digital images by a panel of judges) and patient satisfaction compared to placebo at 12 and 26 weeks.
In the clinical trials VANISH-1 and VANISH-2, use of polidocanol injectable foam improved the symptoms of superficial venous incompetence including heaviness, achiness, swelling, throbbing, and itching.
The appearance of visible varicosities and severity of chronic venous insufficiency were also improved compared to placebo.
Polidocanol was FDA-approved in March 2010.
Indications
- varicose veins
For the treatment of varicose veins
for the treatment of uncomplicated spider veins in the lower extremity (varicose veins <= 1 mm in diameter)
Side Effects
- anaphylactic shock
- anaphylactoid reactions
- angioedema
- cardiac arrest
- confusion
- dizziness
- dyspnea
- fever
- flushing
- hematoma
- hypertrichosis
- injection site reaction
- migraine
- myocardial infarction
- palpitations
- paresthesias
- pruritus
- pulmonary embolism
- skin discoloration
- skin hyperpigmentation
- stroke
- syncope
- thrombosis
- urticaria
- vasculitis
Monitoring Parameters
- laboratory monitoring not necessary
Contraindications
- air embolism
- arteriosclerosis
- breast-feeding
- extravasation
- intraarterial administration
- pregnancy
- thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger’s disease)
- thromboembolic disease
Interactions
There are no drug interactions associated with Polidocanol products.
