What is Polidocanol?
Polidocanol is a local antipruritic and anesthetic component of ointments and bath additives. Relieves itching is caused by eczema or dry skin. It is made up of the ethoxylation of dodecanol. Polidocanol is a prescription drug used to treat lower extremity varicose veins. Polidocanol is part of a group of drugs called sclerosing agents. This is done by inducing local damage and by rebuilding the lining of blood vessels. This medicine comes in the form of a solution and foam. They are injected directly into the varicose vein by a healthcare professional. Repeat treatment may be needed.
Polidocanol Uses:
Polidocanol is a prescription drug used to treat varicose veins. Polidocanol is indicated for the treatment of spider veins (varicose veins less than or equal to 1 mm in diameter) and uncomplicated reticular veins (varicose veins 1 to 3 mm in diameter) at the lower extremity. Polidocanol is also prescribed for treating of incompetent large accessory saphenous veins, saphenous veins, and visible varicose veins of the large saphenous vein system above or below the knee.
Polidocanol Side effects:
Serious side effects with polidocanol have been reported. Common side effects of polidocanol are
- Mild local reactions at the injection site
- Ischemia of tissues and necrosis
- Venous thrombosis
- Anaphylaxis
- Anxiety
- blue-green to black skin discolouration
- blurred vision
- burning, itching
- numbness, prickling
- tingling sensations
- chest pain
- cough
- darkening of the skin
- difficult or laboured breathing
- difficulty with swallowing
- dizziness or lightheadedness
- fainting
- fast breathing
- irregular, pounding or racing heartbeat or pulse
- fever
- inability to speak
- increased hair growth in the treatment area
- hive
- swelling on the face or eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or genitals
- loss of consciousness
- nerve injury
- no blood pressure or pulse
- noisy breathing
- pain or redness, or sloughing of the skin at the injection site
- pain or redness, or swelling in the arm or leg
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- seizures
- severe or sudden headache
- skin rash
- slurred speech
- sores, welts, or blisters
- stopping of the heart
- temporary blindness
- tightness in the chest
- troubled breathing
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- weakness in one side of the body
- sudden and severe pains
This is not a complete list of the side effects of polidocanol. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for any further details. Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you and are not going away.
Precautions
Serious side effects with polidocanol have been reported. Severe allergic reactions can happen. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any or all of the following symptoms of a severe allergic reaction:
- Difficulty breathing or tightness of the throat or chest
- Decreased heart rate, chest pain, or lightness
- Hives, swelling, or skin rash
- Confusion, headache and slurred speech
Polidocanol may cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how much polidocanol is affecting you. Do not take polidocanol if you do:
- Are allergic to polidocanol or any of its ingredients
- Acute thromboembolic disease
Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions before taking polidocanol. Consult your doctor if you have:
- Are allergic to polidocanol or any of its ingredients
- Have or have ever had a thromboembolic disease
- Are pregnant or breast-feeding
- Tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and also all herbal supplements.
Pregnancy
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant.The FDA categorizes drugs based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories-A, B, C, D, and X-are used to classify possible risks to an unborn child when the medication is taken during pregnancy. Polidocanol falls under category C. In animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medicine and some babies were born with problems. No well-conducted research or studies have been conducted in humans. This medicine may therefore be used if the potential benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the unborn child.
Polidocanol and lactation
Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed. Polidocanol is not known to cross into human milk. Because many drugs can cross into human milk and because of the possibility of serious adverse reactions in nursing infants using this medicine, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop using this medicine. Your doctor and you will decide whether the benefits outweigh the risk of polidocanol.
Interactions
Interactions with Polidocanol and food- Medications may interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and you may be advised by your doctor to avoid certain foods. In the case of polidocanol, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when you are taking this medicine.
Dosage
Use polidocanol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The dose of polidocanol recommended by your doctor may be based on the following:
- The condition that is being treated
- Other medical conditions that you have
- Other medications that you are taking
- How you respond to this medicine
- weight
- height
- age
- gender
The recommended dose of polidocanol for the treatment of varicose veins is 0.1 – 0.3 mL per vein. The maximum recommended quantity per treatment session is 10 mL. The recommended dose of polidocanol for the treatment of incompetent large saphenous veins, accessory saphenous veins, and visible varicose veins of the large saphenous vein (GSV) system is up to 5 mL per vein. The maximum recommended quantity per treatment session is 15 mL.
Polidocanol Vs Sotradecol
polidocanol |
Sotradecol |
|---|---|
| Formula: C30H62O10 | C14H29NaO4S |
| Polidocanol is a local anesthetic and antipruritic | Sodium tetradecyl sulfate is an anionic surfactant |
| Molecular Weight: 582.8 g/mol | Molecular Weight: 316.43 g/mol |
| Polidocanol is used to treat varicose veins. | It works by increasing the formation of blood clots and scar tissue within certain types of veins. This helps to reduce the dilation of the enlarged veins. |
