ATC code C05BB02 (WHO) | ||
 | ||
AHFS/Drugs.com International Drug Names Pregnancy
category Topical: allowed
Injection: contraindication in months 1–3 and after week 36 Routes of
administration topical, subcutaneous injection Legal status OTC (topical), ℞ (injection) Synonyms Polydocanol
Laureth 9
Macrogol lauryl ether
Lauromacrogol
PEG-9 lauryl alcohol
POE-9 lauryl alcohol
Dodecylpolyethyleneglycolether
Hydroxyl polyethoxy dodecane
Oxypolyethoxydodecane | ||
Polidocanol is a local anaesthetic and antipruritic component of ointments and bath additives. It relieves itching caused by eczema and dry skin. It is formed by the ethoxylation of dodecanol.
The substance is also used as a sclerosant, an irritant injected to treat varicose veins, under the trade names Asclera, Aethoxysklerol and Varithena. Polidocanol causes fibrosis inside varicose veins, occluding the lumen of the vessel, and reducing the appearance of the varicosity.
The FDA has approved polidocanol injections for the treatment of small varicose (less than 1 mm in diameter) and reticular veins (1 to 3 mm in diameter). Polidocanol works by damaging the cell lining of blood vessels, causing them to close and eventually be replaced by other types of tissue.