Varithena® San Diego

‍What is Varithena®?

Varithena®, the latest development in varicose vein treatment, is now available at iThriveVeins San Diego, California.

Varithena® is a minimally invasive, outpatient vein treatment that is designed to improve the appearance of varicose veins, symptoms related to superficial venous reflux disease, and varicose veins caused by issues with the great saphenous vein (GSV) system.

Varithena® is a prescription drug (polidocanol injectable foam) that is guided via ultrasound injection into the varicose vein.

How Is Varithena® Performed?

Varithena® is administered in a clinic or outpatient typesetting.

Your vein doctor will begin by administering a small amount of Varithena® into the diseased vein by direct injection or through a small catheter. The number of injections you receive will depend on the number and severity of the varicose veins needing treatment.

Once injected, the Varithena® microfoam begins to fill and treat the section of the vein, ultimately causing it to collapse and deactivate the foam. As a result, blood will no longer be able to move back down the leg, known as reflux.

Once the diseased vein collapses, blood flow is redirected to nearby, healthy veins.

Treatment is often performed in 20 to 30 minutes, and patients will be able to return home that same day.

What Happens After Varithena® Treatment?

Once the injection is complete, the needle or catheter will be gently removed. Your caregiver will monitor you closely after the injection to make sure there are no adverse or allergic reactions to the medication.

A bandage or compression stocking will be placed on the treated leg to prevent the formation of blood clots.

After the treatment session, your provider may encourage you to walk for 20 to 30 minutes to boost blood flow. Additionally, it may be prescribed that you take daily walks the days following the treatment.

What Activities Should I Avoid After Receiving Varithena®?

Many activities can be resumed on the same day of treatment.

However, for 2 or 3 days after receiving Varithena®, you will want to avoid the following:

Heavy, strenuous exercise
Sitting for prolonged periods
Exposure to sunlight, tanning beds, hot tubs, or saunas
Avoid the use of ice or heating pads on the treated leg without consulting your doctor

What Type of Veins Does Varithena® Treat?

Varithena® is appropriate for a range of varicose veins, such as:

Twisted, tortuous veins
Veins located below and above the knee
Small, medium, and large diameter veins
Previously treated veins

While Varithena® can address several varicose vein types and their symptoms, it does not treat all forms of varicose veins. It’s best to have an evaluation to determine your suitability. Dr. Samir Damani

Consult a qualified medical professional to see what treatment options are best for your unique needs.

Is Varithena® Successful?

Studies show improved symptoms from varicose veins, including a reduction in leg heaviness, achiness, swelling, itching, and throbbing.

Also, improved vein appearance was reported by both patients and doctors.

Varithena® vs Other Treatments?

Varithena® Sclerotherapy is considered to be the next step in varicose vein therapy. In the past, patients had to undergo far more invasive and painful procedures to reduce the appearance and symptoms of varicose veins.

Sclerotherapy is a far less disruptive, minimally invasive, and patient-friendly approach to varicose vein problems.

What is Sclerotherapy?

Sclerotherapy uses a medically prescribed foam that breaks down and collapses diseased veins. Ultimately, blood flow is re-routed away from malfunctioning veins to healthier, nearby veins, improving overall circulation.

Contact iThriveVeins Today!

Contact our office and schedule a consultation with one of our trained, clinical specialists today! Our Varithena® San Diego patients are ecstatic about their results!

Frequently Asked Questions

Vein disease is a medical condition covered by insurance. If you have further questions, please reach out to our medical team today.

Does insurance cover Varithena® treatment?

Speak with a vein specialist to learn whether Varithena® is offered as a treatment. Your doctor’s office will also be able to help you determine if your insurance will cover all or a portion of Varithena® treatment.

Varithena® is a member of the sclerosing agent drug class, which are commonly covered by insurance companies to treat medically necessary, chronic venous insufficiency (CSV) and accompanying symptoms related to varicose veins.

Typically, foam sclerotherapy may be covered by insurance unless the procedure is considered to be cosmetic and not medically necessary.

Am I A Candidate For Varithena®?

Contact a qualified medical professional to determine if Varithena® is right for you.

Keep in mind, there are several reasons why you should not be treated with Varithena®. Please inform your doctor if you have or know of the following conditions:

Any known allergies to polidocanol
Clots in blood vessels
Arterial disease
A history of blood clots in veins or lungs
Any major surgery in the last 3 months
Recent prolonged hospital stay
Reduced mobility
Pregnant or recent pregnancy

How is Varithena® Different From Other Forms of Sclerotherapy?

In previous approaches, the foam would be activated by the doctor before injection. Activation occurs when the foam is exposed to air and agitating the formula just before injection into the vein. Doctors began to report inconsistent formulations, hindering results, and causing concern for potential neurological side effects.

Varithena®, on the other hand, uses a standardized device that prepares the mixture, standardizing the formulation each time. This formulation consistency has resulted in more consistent, successful results.

Categorized as a nonthermal ablation, Varithena® has numerous benefits reported by practitioners:

Least traumatic form of varicose vein treatment
Fast and simple
Alleviates symptoms immediately
Very little downtime post-treatment
Insurance companies are covering Varithena®

How safe is Varithena®?

Varithena® is a non-surgical, minimally invasive treatment for varicose veins. Side effects are minimal, with little down-time after the procedure.

Are There Potential Side Effects Associated With Varithena®?

Below are the most common side effects reported:

Leg pain and discomfort
Bruising or pain near the injection site
Numbness or tingling
Headache
Dizziness
Increased hair grown on the treated leg
Development of blood clots in the leg veins

The common side effects are mild in nature. Should you be experiencing severe pain or more troublesome symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away.