Varithena
Here’s What to Expect:
Before the Treatment:
- The physician usually numbs the injection site, but no additional anesthesia is required.
During treatment
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- Your physician administers a small amount of Varithena.
- The Varithena microfoam fills the desired section of the vein and treats the vein wall, causing the diseased vein to collapse.
- Blood flow is redirected to healthier nearby veins. The microfoam disperses as it comes into contact with blood in healthy veins.
- Your physician uses the same process on any other veins that need treatment.
- The most common side effects are leg pain or discomfort, injection site bruising or pain, and potentially serious blood clots in the leg veins.
After Treatment
- While allergic reactions are rare, a healthcare professional will watch you for signs of an allergic reaction for at least 10 minutes.
- Your physician applies bandages and compression stockings to your leg. You’ll wear the stockings for two weeks.
- Because Varithena is minimally invasive and well tolerated by most people, you’re likely to go back to most normal activities the same day.
- You should avoid heavy exercise for one week.
- For a month, you should walk at least 10 minutes a day and avoid long stretches of inactivity.
- Additional treatment sessions may be needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Varithena?
Varithena polidocinal injectable foam 1% is an FDA-approved 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.
How does Varithena work?
- The physician administers a small amount of Varithena.
- The microfoam fills and treats the desired section of the vein.
- The diseased vein collapses and the foam is diluted in the bloodstream and flushed out.
How is blood flow affected?
When the malfunctioning vein collapses, blood flow shifts to healthier veins nearby.
What is treatment like?
Treatment with Varithena is minimally invasive and nonsurgical (no incisions required). Other kinds of varicose vein therapies may require many needle sticks. But with Varithena, treatment is usually just one or two needle sticks and is nearly painless. Patients reporting pain at the injection or application site in clinical trials was 4.0%.1
How fast is the treatment?
It usually takes less than an hour to get the treatment.
How soon can I get back to my normal activities?
Most people may resume normal activities the same day as treatment. You should avoid heavy exercise for one week. Keep post-treatment bandages dry and in place for 48 hours, and wear compression stockings on the treated leg for two weeks. For a month, you should walk at least 10 minutes a day and avoid long stretches of inactivity.
How many treatments might I need?
Most people only need a single treatment. Additional treatment may be needed, depending on the number and size of veins being treated.
Will my insurance cover treatment?
Varithena is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans. Coverage may depend on the severity of your varicose veins and symptoms.
Is Varithena effective?
In clinical studies, the majority of patients treated with Varithena experienced improvements in symptoms: heaviness, achiness, swelling, throbbing and itching after just one treatment. The clinical studies also found that the majority of patients experienced improvement in vein appearance in assessments by both patients and physicians.
What are the side effects?
The most common side effects 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.
What should I tell my physician?
Tell your physician 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 three months
- Have recently had a long hospital stay
- Are pregnant or have recently been pregnant
References
- BSC data on file.
- Varithena.com