Polidocanol

Polidocanol or Macrogollaurylether is effective as a surface anaesthetic (see also local anaesthetics), antipruriginosum, vein sclerosing agent and belongs chemically to the polyaethylene glycols (PEG).

Polidocanol belongs to the group of detergent sclerosing agents. Its injection leads to a mixture of sclerosing agent with blood, to endothelial cell lysis and finally to obstruction of the injected vessel.

Pruritus, varices.

• 3-5% in creams, lotions (see e.g. Optiderm), shaking mixtures and oil baths (antipruriginous effect lasts for about 4 hours)
• 0.5-3% in injection solutions for vein sclerotherapy

Head tincture containing polidocanol

Polidocanol zinc oxide shaking mixture 3/5 or 10 % (NRF 11.66.

Polidocanol milk (NFA)

Polidocanol cream 2-5% (The NRF monographs 2 standardized formulations with lauromacrogol 400 in a hydrophobic base, NRF 11.119. and NRF 11.120. The standardized formulations contain a low-water base. The hydrophilic portion is only 20 % (10 % water and 10 % propylene glycol) instead of 70 % as in the hydrophobic base cream DAC).

Thesit, Aethoxysclerol, Recessan, Balneum Hermal plus®, Optiderm®