The U.S. FDA approved Polidocanol for neurological disorders on March 31, 2010. Polidocanol belongs to the group of medicines called sclerosing agents, which treat varicose veins. Varicose veins are swollen, pigmented, and twisted veins commonly found in the legs. They occur when blood flow is disrupted, causing blood to accumulate and resulting in the unsightly appearance of the legs. This injection helps reduce the appearance of varicose veins and improve blood flow.

Polidocanol treats uncomplicated spider veins (varicose veins ≤1 mm in diameter) and uncomplicated reticular veins (varicose veins 1 to 3 mm in diameter) in the lower extremity. However, its effectiveness has not been studied in larger varicose veins that are greater than 3 mm in diameter.

Polidocanol will be administered to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. Do not self-administer. Your doctor will decide the dose, route of administration, and frequency based on your disease condition and other factors.

The most common side effects of Polidocanol are short-term injection-site pain, temporary skin discoloration after treatment, and injection-site blood clots. 

Do not use Polidocanol if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Do not use this injection if you have uncontrolled systemic diseases like diabetes, hyperthyroidism, tuberculosis, asthma, neoplasm, systemic infections, blood dyscrasias, acute respiratory or skin diseases. Also, this injection should be avoided if you are immobile or have severe arterial occlusive disease (Fontaine stages III and IV). Thromboembolic diseases and high risk of thrombosis (such as hereditary thrombophilia, use of hormonal contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, obesity, smoking, and extended periods of immobility) are also contraindications. Microfoam sclerotherapy is not recommended if you have a known symptomatic right-to-left shunt (e.g., symptomatic patent foramen ovale).

Before starting the treatment, inform your doctor if you have certain conditions like asymptomatic but known PFO, visual or neurological symptoms after previous microfoam treatment, fever, bronchial asthma or allergies, arterial occlusive disease, leg edema, inflammatory skin disease, symptomatic microangiopathy or neuropathy, and those using anticoagulation medication. Before starting the treatment, inform your doctor if you have any allergies or a history of anaphylaxis. Be prepared to treat anaphylaxis in case of an allergic reaction during the procedure. Also, discuss with your doctor the risks associated with venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and arterial embolism. Do not inject the medication intra-arterially to avoid tissue ischemia and necrosis. Notify your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or think you may be pregnant or are breastfeeding. This injection contains 5% (v/v) ethanol, which may harm individuals with alcoholism or undergoing alcoholism treatment with Disulfiram.

An emergency kit should be available in case of an anaphylactic reaction. Prior to treatment, the healthcare professional should assess the patient's risk factors and inform them about the associated risks. Post-treatment follow-up is essential to monitor for deep vein thrombosis development.

Follow your doctor's recommendations closely throughout the process. If you experience any concerning symptoms or side effects, be sure to inform your healthcare provider immediately. Do not stop the medicine until your doctor advises. Your medical professional will inform you if you need any dose adjustments. Contact your doctor for more information. Do not freeze the medicine. Do not store above 25°C. 

1. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Blood coagulation and anticoagulant, fibrinolytic, and antiplatelet drugs, 12th edition, 2011, 870.
2. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Drugs affecting Coagulation, bleeding and thrombosis, 7th edition, 2013, 631.
3. Janssen Biotech, Inc; US Food and Drug Administration; [Revised on August 2019] [ Accessed on 2nd August 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2019/103575s5318lbl.pdf
4. Centocor B.V; US Food and Drug Administration [Revised on 4th November 1997] [ Accessed on 2nd August 2023] abcicen110597-lab.pdf (fda.gov)
5. Drugs.com,Polidocanol,   [Revised on 10th April 2023] [ Accessed on 2nd August 2023] Polidocanol: Indications, Side Effects, Warnings - Drugs.com

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.