Varicose veins

Name: Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Creator: Jason Cafer, MD

Sclerotherapy chemically destroys the vein lining so the vein closes and is replaced by fibrous tissue — the alternative to stripping, laser or radiofrequency ablation
Polidocanol is the FDA-approved sclerosant: 1% foam (VARITHENA) for the great saphenous vein system, 0.5%/1% solution (ASCLERA) for spider and reticular veins
Volume is capped per injection and per session (foam 5 mL / 15 mL; solution 0.3 mL / 10 mL)
Anaphylaxis, tissue necrosis with extravasation or intra-arterial injection, and venous thrombosis are the warnings; patients are monitored and kept moving after treatment
Acute thromboembolic disease and known polidocanol allergy are contraindications

Use at a glance

Sclerotherapy chemically destroys the vein lining so the vein closes and is replaced by fibrous tissue — the alternative to stripping, laser or radiofrequency ablation
Polidocanol is the FDA-approved sclerosant: 1% foam (VARITHENA) for the great saphenous vein system, 0.5%/1% solution (ASCLERA) for spider and reticular veins

Volume is capped per injection and per session (foam 5 mL / 15 mL; solution 0.3 mL / 10 mL)
Anaphylaxis, tissue necrosis with extravasation or intra-arterial injection, and venous thrombosis are the warnings; patients are monitored and kept moving after treatment
Acute thromboembolic disease and known polidocanol allergy are contraindications

Which drug is FDA-approved for sclerotherapy of varicose veins?
Polidocanol — VARITHENA (1% foam) for the great saphenous vein system and ASCLERA (solution) for spider and reticular veins.