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What are venous leg ulcers?

It’s important to get treatment for any unhealed wounds that form on the legs.

About venous leg ulcers

Venous leg ulcers are a symptom of advanced vein disease. Certain factors put you at increased risk for venous leg ulcers, including varicose veins, obesity, standing for long periods of time (usually for work), and having a history of blood clots in your legs. 

1 in 4

1 in 4 Americans 65+ will have a venous leg ulcer in their lifetime.1

What causes venous leg ulcers

Venous leg ulcers are caused by high pressure in the lower leg veins, called venous hypertension. When this pressure continues, it damages the skin, which breaks down and forms an ulcer.

Symptoms of venous leg ulcers

Venous leg ulcers can be unsightly and painful wounds that develop around your ankle. They typically look like large, shallow wounds with uneven edges. Other symptoms can include:2

Line art icon of leg swelling.

Swelling

Line art icon of leg and dots signifying skin changes.

Skin changes

Line art icon of leg with lines surround calf.

Aching and
throbbing

Line art icon of lines around leg signifying itchy leg..

Itching

Before andafter comparison of a patient treated with Varithena, illustrating visible improvements leg ulcer.s.

Before and after treatment

See results from Varithena treatment.

See treatment results

Treat the veins that feed the ulcers

With Varithena, you can treat the symptoms of the underlying cause of certain kinds of advanced venous disease. Treatment focuses on eliminating the diseased veins, and blood flow is redirected through healthier vessels. 

Learn about treatment
Abstract image of purples ribons and white balls indicating blood flow.

References

1. Margolis et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002;46(3):381-386.
2. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/leg-sores-wont-heal-whats-causing-your-venous-leg-ulcers/

Indications

Varithena (polidocanol injectable foam) 1% 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. Varithena improves symptoms related to or caused by varicose veins, and the appearance of varicose veins.

Important safety information

You should not be treated with Varithena if you are allergic to polidocanol or have clots in your blood vessels. Severe allergic reactions have been reported in people treated with liquid forms of polidocanol and some patients have died from these reactions. Varithena is a foam made from polidocanol. A healthcare professional will observe you for signs of allergic reactions for at least 10 minutes after you are treated with Varithena. Tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including if you have:

  • Arterial disease (a disease of the blood vessels)
  • Reduced mobility
  • A history of blood clots in the veins or lungs
  • Had major surgery in the past 3 months
  • Recently had a long hospital stay
  • Become pregnant or were recently pregnant

The most common side effects seen with Varithena are leg pain or discomfort, injection site bruising or pain, and potentially serious blood clots in the leg veins. These are not all 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. Varithena is administered by your doctor. Doctors using Varithena must be experienced in vein procedures and trained in using Varithena.

See full prescribing information for Varithena.