What is it used for?
- Sclerosing treatment of varicose veins in the legs.
- Sclerosing treatment of spider and thread veins.
How does it work?
Fibro-Vein injection contains the active ingredient sodium tetradecyl sulphate, which is a type of medicine called a sclerosing agent. It is used to treat varicose veins.
Sodium tetradecyl sulphate is injected directly into the varicose veins.
It works by causing irritation and inflammation of the inside wall of the vein into which it is injected. This causes a blood clot to form on the inflamed area, which blocks the vein. Fibrous scar tissue then develops that permanently blocks the vein and causes it to shrink. Blood flow is naturally diverted through other veins. This procedure is known as sclerosing.
After the injection, compression stockings or bandages are used to keep the clot formation in the vein to a minimum and help increase the blood flow through the deep veins.
How is this treatment given?
- This injection is adminstered slowly, directly into the varicose vein. The volume of Fibro-Vein injected and the number of injection sites used will depend on the strength of the injection and the type of varicose veins being treated.
Use with caution in
- People who have previously had an allergic reaction to the injection.
- People with poor blood circulation in the arteries in the extremities (peripheral arterial disease), for example Buerger's disease.
Not to be used in
- People who are unable to walk.
- People who are very overweight (obese).
- People with acute inflammation in the vein (phlebitis).
- People with inflammation and blood clot formation (superficial thrombophlebitis) in a vein near the varicose vein.
- People with a blood clot in a vein (deep vein thrombosis) near the varicose vein.
- People with a local infection near the varicose vein.
- People with an infection throughout the body (systemic infection), such as a virus or cold.
- Varicose veins caused by pelvic or abdominal tumours.
- People with diabetes that is not well controlled.
- People with significant heart disease.
- People with significant disease of the arteries.
- People with significant kidney disease.
- Women taking the contraceptive pill.
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- There is no information available about the safety of this medicine during pregnancy. It is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- There is no information available about the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor before having this treatment if you are breastfeeding.
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Pain at the injection site.
- Burning sensation.
- Skin darkening that looks like bruising over the treated vein. This is uncommon and usually resolves over 12 to 18 months.
- Itchy rash (urticaria).
- Allergic reaction, which may sometimes be serious (anaphylaxis).
- Pins and needles sensation or numbness if the injection accidentally hits a nerve in the skin.
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer.
For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.
How can this medicine affect other medicines?
This medicine is not known to affect other medicines. However, as with all medicines, if you are already taking any other medicines, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, it is important to tell the person administering this treatment so they can check it is safe for you to have.
Other medicines containing the same active ingredient
There are currently no other medicines available in the UK that contain sodium tetradecyl sulphate as the active ingredient.