Medications During Sclerotherapy
Do you have painful varicose or unwanted spider veins but are unsure what’s causing them? At Central Florida Vein and Vascular Center, we can help.
Varicose and spider veins occur when the valves in your veins become too weak to circulate all of the blood in your extremities back toward your heart, causing it to pool in and enlarge your veins.
In addition to laser therapy and microphlebectomy, sclerotherapy is a non-invasive, safe and effective way to remove varicose or spider veins permanently.
How Sclerotherapy Treatment Works
First, we’ll look at your varicose veins using an ultrasound probe to determine the underlying issue and whether sclerotherapy is right for you. We recommend bringing or wearing loose clothing or shorts to your visit if your varicose veins are located on your legs, ankles or feet.
Then, on the day of your treatment, we’ll disinfect the injection site with a surgical prep solution and inject the varicose veins with a sclerotherapy medication. Sclerotherapy medications include:
- Sodium tetradecyl sulfate (or Sotradecol).
- Polidocanol (Asclera or Aesthoxysclerol).
- Ethanolamine Oleate (or Ethamolin).
The sclerotherapy medication, also called a sclerosant, irritates the vein as it fills it, causing it to collapse, scar and disappear permanently. The entire process takes 30 minutes to an hour or less.
Medications to Avoid Before Sclerotherapy
Preparation for your sclerotherapy treatment is relatively straightforward and hassle-free. Irritants and medications to avoid for 48 to 72 hours before sclerotherapy treatment include:
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen.
- Dietary supplements.
- Herbs.
- Antibiotics.
- Shaving.
- Applying lotion.
What to Avoid After Sclerotherapy
Once you’ve completed sclerotherapy treatment, you can resume light daily activity as usual. We encourage gentle exercise like walking to prevent blood clots but nothing too rigorous. We also recommend you avoid certain irritants for at least 48 hours post-treatment, including:
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs, including ibuprofen and aspirin.
- Using lotion.
- Intense exercise.
- Antibiotics.
- Whirlpools, hot baths/showers or saunas.
- Sunlight exposure on treated veins.
We also recommend you wear compression stockings for a few weeks post-treatment to decrease swelling. We’ll let you know where you can find medical-grade compression stockings.
Always Speak With a Doctor
Like most medical treatments, sclerotherapy treatment may have some side effects. These effects can range from mild and temporary symptoms to significant and long-term issues. Typical side effects often include:
- Injection site pain.
- Redness or swelling.
- Itchiness.
- Temporary bruising.
- Hyperpigmentation.
- Mild allergic reactions to saline solutions if you are allergy-prone.
Prolonged pain, swelling or irritation can hint at problems like ulceration and blood clots. These conditions can lead to more severe issues, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and tissue necrosis — though these problems are rare. Continuously monitor how you’re feeling long after your treatment, as it can take weeks for specific symptoms to appear.
If you have questions or concerns after your sclerotherapy treatment, speak with your doctor.
Schedule Your Sclerotherapy Consultation Today
Are you considering sclerotherapy treatment? Speak with one of our board-certified physicians at the Central Florida Vein and Vascular Center. Our friendly team of experts will walk you through the process and address any questions or concerns you have.
We’ll work with you to find a suitable approach for your needs. Contact us online today or call us at 407-545-3385 or 352-658-5547 to schedule your consultation.
