Pharmacologic Substance
polidocanol
Brand Names:
Asclera; Varithena
Effect:
Vascular Sclerosing Activity
May Treat:
Varicose Veins
More Information:
Definitions related to polidocanol:
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An alkyl polyglycol ether of lauryl alcohol with sclerosing and potential antineoplastic activities. Upon intralesional administration, polidocanol induces endothelial cell injury by disrupting calcium signaling and nitric oxide pathways. Following endothelial damage, platelets aggregate at the site of injury and attach to the venous wall, resulting in a dense network of platelets, cellular debris, and fibrin that occludes the vessel. Inducing endothelial cell damage within melanoma metastases may incite an antitumor response in untreated bystander lesions and inhibit the growth of in transit metastases and other cutaneous lesions.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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An alkyl polyglycol ether of LAURYL ALCOHOL, chemically defined as an alcohol ethoxylate having an average alkyl chain of 12-14 carbon atoms, and an ethylene oxide chain of 9 ethylene oxide units. It is used as a detergent, and medically as a local anesthetic, and as a sclerosing agent for the treatment of ESOPHAGEAL AND GASTRIC VARICES and VARICOSE VEINS.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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