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Have questions about Varithena?

If you’re struggling with varicose veins and looking into minimally invasive treatment options, here are a few helpful answers to common questions about Varithena.

Frequently asked questions

Varithena polidocanol 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.

  • 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.

When the malfunctioning vein collapses, blood flow shifts to healthier veins nearby.

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

It usually takes less than an hour to get the treatment.

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.

Most people only need a single treatment. Additional treatment may be needed, depending on the number and size of veins being treated.

Varithena is covered by most Medicare and insurance plans, including UnitedHealthcare® (UHC), Health Plan of Nevada, UMR, and Sierra Nevada Health Plan (effective July 1, 2024). Coverage may depend on severity of your varicose veins and symptoms. Your physician’s office may be able to help you understand your coverage.

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.

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.

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
1. BSC data on file

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.