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Asclera (Polidocanol) for Varicose Veins
asked 3 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Jeffrey Fromowitz, MD
Question viewed 1,614 times
Tags: Polidocanol, varicose veins
Does Asclera, Polidocanol work on varicose veins?
9 answers to Asclera (Polidocanol) for Varicose Veins
+2
Polidocanol for Sclerotherapy
Polidocanol is not FDA approved. It has advantages because it is painless on injection, has low likelihood of skin necrosis and is effective.
It is commonly used for feeder veins, reticular veins and some individuals use it for varicose veins. Its concentration when used is 0.5% to 1 %.
Hratch Karamanoukian, MD
Buffalo General Surgeon
Buffalo General Surgeon
+1
Painless Vein Treatment
Ascelra is now FDA approved for the treatment of varicose veins. I have found it is most effective for spider and reticular veins, but can also be used for larger caliber vessels. For larger vessels ultrasound guidance often improves outcomes.
Jeffrey Fromowitz, MD
Boca Raton Dermatologic Surgeon
Boca Raton Dermatologic Surgeon
+1
Polidocanol is effective against larger veins
Yes! Polidocanol can be used to successfully treat larger caliber veins including varicose veins. Although these veins can be visualized easily and treated with sclerotherapy, ultrasound-guided sclerotherapy can be more effective in treating affected vessels, by identifying potential feeder vessels called accessory or perforating vessels. If you have varicose veins, it would be wise to first obtain an ultrasound study of the legs--quick, easy, painless, and...
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Melanie D. Palm, MD
San Diego Dermatologic Surgeon
San Diego Dermatologic Surgeon
+1
Spider Vein therapy
It works best on spider veins and reticular veins. i have never used it on varicose veins and am happy with performing microphlebectomy are larger varicose veins if ablation of tributaries dont work to shut the varicose vein down. i have seen a number of complications from other physicians injecting a wide range of agents into larger veins including matting and skin staining with dark brown spots.
+1
Polidocanol works!
Yes, Polidocanol (Asclera) does work and is now FDA approved in the US (March 2010). We've been using it in our office for awhile now with excellent results. Patients are who've previously were injected in Sotradecol find Asclera to be just as tolerable and effective.
Amir Moradi, MD
San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon
San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1
Options for sclerotherapy
There are many options for sclerotherapy, including polidocanol and STS. There is no universal medicine that is applicable for every situation. I would advise you to go to a board certified phlebologist.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1
Polidocanol
Polidocanol (also known as Aethoxysklerol) is an effective chemical detergant for treatment of a wide range of leg veins. It's concentration is often diluted for differing size veins, and has the advantage of less discomfort and lower incidence of skin ulceration. One big disadvantage is it is not FDA approved for use in the U.S. It also tends to not flow as well into the veins, so more injections may be needed to treat large areas and multiple veins. I have also found it to cause more...
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Jeffrey C. Poole, MD
Metairie Dermatologic Surgeon
Metairie Dermatologic Surgeon
+1
Effectiveness of sclerotherapy depends on varicose veins cause
Sclerotherapy with Polidocanol can be very safe and effective as long as the cause of the varicose veins is close to the veins that are being injected.
Varicose veins are dilated veins and are the result of abnormally high pressure in the veins. This, in turn, is due to the combination of weak vein walls and broken vein valves.
Typically, surface spider veins are driven by reticular veins just under the skin. These reticular veins may be driven by subcutaneous veins, which may themselves...
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Robert Swanson, MD
Bay Area General Surgeon
Bay Area General Surgeon
