Varithena®

Louisiana Heart & Vascular Institute Vein Care Centers

Varithena® (polidocanol injectable foam) is a 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. Farhad Aduli, MD, FACC, an interventional cardiologist at Louisiana Heart & Vascular Institute Vein Care Centers in Covington, Louisiana, can treat varicose veins with this FDA-approved medication. Call today for a consultation.

Varithena Q&A

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%.

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. Your physician’s office may be able to help you understand your coverage.

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.