The FDA announced last week its approval of Asclera (polidocanol) injection for the treatment of spider veins (tiny varicose veins less than 1 mm in diameter) and reticular veins (those that are 1 mm to 3 mm in diameter). Asclera works by damaging the cell lining of blood vessels which closes the vessel.

Common adverse reactions to Asclera include leakage and collection of blood from damaged blood vessels at the injection site (hematoma), bruising, irritation, discoloration, and pain at the injection site.

Sclerotherapy, laser and intense-pulsed-light therapy, radiofrequency (RF) or laser ablation, and ambulatory phlebectomy are the modern techniques used to ablate varicosities.

Use of Asclera joins hypertonic saline, hypertonic glucose, sodium morrhuate, and sodium tetradecyl sulfate as an option for sclerotherapy of spider veins.

Sclerotherapy is the most common treatment for both spider veins. The injected vein fades over the weeks following injection. The same vein may need to be treated more than once. Most patients can expect a 50% to 90% improvement. Sclerotherapy does not require anesthesia, and can be done in the doctor’s office.
 

[Source: eMax Health]