Varithena® (polidocanol injectable foam) is a prescription medicine used to treat varicose veins caused by problems with the great saphenous vein (GSV) and other related veins in the leg’s GSV system. Varithena® helps improve the symptoms of heaviness, achiness, swelling, throbbing and itching (HASTI™ symptoms) related to or caused by varicose veins, and the appearance of varicose veins. Treatment is a nonsurgical procedure
(no incision is required). Treatment usually takes less than 1 hour and patients may resume light activities as quickly as the same day of treatment.
Documents
- Patient Frequently Asked Questions
- Patient Expectations Overview
- Patient Information Sheet on Varicose Veins
For further information, please visit Varithena.com.
How Varithena® Works
In studies of Varithena®, patients reported improvement in five important symptoms (HASTI™ symptoms):
- Heaviness
- Achiness
- Swelling
- Throbbing
- Itching
Varithena® also improved vein appearance, according to patients and their doctors.
How Varithena® Is Given
Treatment with Varithena® is a nonsurgical procedure (no incision is required). Your doctor will inject a small amount of Varithena® into the problem veins. The foam fills the area and treats the diseased section of the vein. This causes the problem vein to collapse, which allows the blood flow to shift to nearby healthy veins.
Dr. Fall will numb the injection site, but no additional anesthesia is needed. Treatment usually takes less than 1 hour. You may resume light activities as quickly as the same day of treatment.
After You Go Home
Dr. Fall will advise you to follow these instructions:
- Keep your bandage on (and dry) for the next 48 hours
- Wear a compression stocking on the treated leg for 2 weeks
- Avoid heavy exercise for 1 week after your treatment
- Walk at least 10 minutes a day for 1 month and avoid long periods of inactivity
We will schedule a follow-up visit to see how you are doing. Some patients need only a single treatment with Varithena®. Additional treatments may be needed depending on the number and size of veins to be treated.
If You Have Questions please call our office at 715-685-0656 if you have questions about Varithena® or your treatment. You can also visit Varithena.com to learn more.
Indications
Varithena® (polidocanol injectable foam) is a prescription medicine used to treat varicose veins caused by problems with the great saphenous vein (GSV) and other related veins in the leg’s GSV system. Varithena® improves symptoms related to or caused by varicose veins and the appearance of varicose veins.
Important Patient Safety Information
You should not be treated with Varithena® if you are allergic to polidocanol or have clots in your blood vessels. Severe allergic reactions have been reported in people treated with liquid forms of polidocanol and some patients have died from these reactions. Varithena® is a foam made from polidocanol. A healthcare professional will observe you for signs of allergic reactions for at least 10 minutes after you are treated with Varithena®.
Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, including if you
- have arterial disease (a disease of the blood vessels)
- have reduced mobility
- have a history of blood clots in the veins or lungs
- have had major surgery in the past 3 months
- have recently had a long hospital stay
- are pregnant or have recently been pregnant
The most common side effects seen with Varithena® are leg pain or discomfort, injection site bruising or pain, and potentially serious blood clots in the leg veins. These are not all of the possible side effects of Varithena®. Tell your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away. You can also report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Varithena® is administered by your doctor. Doctors using Varithena® must be experienced in vein procedures and trained in using Varithena®.