Asclera Q & A
What Is Asclera®?
Asclera® (polidocanol) Injection is a prescription medicine that is used in a procedure called sclerotherapy and is administered by a healthcare provider to treat two types of veins:
- Uncomplicated spider veins (very small varicose veins ≤ 1 mm in diameter)
- Uncomplicated small varicose veins (1 to 3 mm in diameter) known as reticular veins
Asclera has been approved by the FDA.
How Does Asclera® Work?
Asclera® is a sclerosing agent that is injected into the vein. It works by damaging the endothelium, the cells lining the inside of blood vessels. This causes blood platelets to attach to the lining of the vessels; eventually, cellular debris and platelets cause the blood vessel to clot. Over time, the clotted vein will be replaced with tissue.
Asclera: Patient Satisfaction
- On average, 86% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their Asclera® treatment
- Patients were significantly more satisfied with Asclera® than with either sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) or placebo (p<0.0001)
1 At 12 and 26 weeks after last injection patients received the digital images of their treatment area taken at baseline and were asked to rate their satisfaction with their treatment using a verbal rating scale, where 1 = very unsatisfied, 2 = somewhat unsatisfied, 3 = slightly satisfied, 4 = satisfied, and 5 = very satisfied.
What is an Asclera® treatment like?
A typical sclerotherapy session lasts 20 minutes. One injection is usually administered per inch with multiple injections per session. Following treatment compression, stockings or support hose should be worn continuously for 2-3 days and for 2-3 weeks during the daytime.
What should I avoid after a treatment with Asclera®?
For two to three days following the treatment, avoid (if you are uncertain, please ask your health care provider): Heavy exercise, Sunbathing, Long plane flights, and Hot bath or sauna
Are there any possible side effects to Asclera® treatments?
Yes, they may include:
- Severe allergic reactions have been reported following polidocanol use, including anaphylactic reactions, some of them fatal. Severe reactions are most frequent with use of larger volumes (> 3 mL). The dose of polidocanol should, therefore, be minimized. A doctor should be prepared to treat anaphylaxis appropriately.
- In rare cases, a formation of small “burns” or ulcers form, usually due to leakage of Asclera® into the skin. They heal in time but may leave a scar.
- Inadvertent perivascular injection of Asclera® can cause pain. If the pain is severe, a local anesthetic (without adrenaline) may be injected.
