asclera
Asclera (Polidocanol) is a sclerosing agent used to treat Varicose Veins.
Polidocanol · by Chemisch Fbrk Krsslr
Key facts
- Active ingredient
- Polidocanol
- Drug class
- Sclerosing Agent
- Form
- Injectable
- Strength
- Polidocanol 10MG/2ML (5MG/ML) · Polidocanol 20MG/2ML (10MG/ML)
- Type
- Prescription (Rx)
- Brand or generic
- Brand-name
- May treat
- varicose veins
- Manufacturer
- Chemisch Fbrk Krsslr
- FDA application
- NDA021201
What is Asclera?
From the FDA label:Asclera is a sterile, nonpyrogenic, and colorless to faintly greenish-yellow solution of polidocanol for intravenous use as a sclerosing agent. The active ingredient, polidocanol is a non-ionic detergent, consisting of two components, a polar hydrophilic (dodecyl alcohol) and an apolar hydrophobic (polyethylene oxide) chain. Polidocanol has the following structural formula: C 12 H 25 (OCH 2 CH 2 ) n OH Polyethylene glycol monododecyl ether Mean extent of polymerization (n) : Approximately 9 Mean molecular weight : Approximately 600 Each mL contains 5 mg (0.5%) or 10 mg (1.0%) polidocanol in water for injection with 5% (v/v) ethanol at pH 6.5-8.0; disodium hydrogen phosphate dihydrate (1.2 mg), potassium dihydrogen phosphate (0.43 mg). chemical structure
How to use
For intravenous use only. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration, whenever solution and container permit. Do not use if particulate matter is seen or if the contents of the vial are discolored or if the vial is damaged in any way. For spider veins (varicose veins ≤1 mm in diameter), use Asclera 0.5%. For reticular veins (varicose veins 1 to 3 mm in diameter), use Asclera 1%. Use 0.1 to 0.3 mL per injection and no more than 10 mL per session. Use a syringe (glass or plastic) with a fine needle (typically, 26- or 30-gauge). Insert the needle tangentially into the vein and inject the solution slowly while the needle is still in the vein. Apply only gentle pressure during injection to prevent vein rupture. After the needle has been removed and the injection site has been covered, apply compression in the form of a stocking or bandage. After the treatment session, encourage the patient to walk for 15 to 20 minutes. Keep the patient under observation to detect any anaphylactic or allergic reaction [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3) ] . Maintain compression for 2 to 3 days after treatment of spider veins and for 5 to 7 days for reticular veins. For extensive varicosities, longer compression treatment with compression bandages or a gradient compression stocking of a higher compression class is…
Side effects
The most common adverse reactions occurring at least 3% more frequently than on placebo are mild local reactions at the site of injection. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Methapharm at 1-866-701-4636 or [email protected] or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch . 6.1 Clinical Study Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. In 5 controlled randomized clinical trials, Asclera has been administered to 401 patients with small or very small varicose veins (reticular and spider veins) and compared with another sclerosing agent and with placebo. Patients were 18 to 70 years old. The patient population was predominately female and consisted of Caucasian and Asian patients. Table 1 shows adverse events more common with Asclera or sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS) 1% than with placebo by at least 3% in the placebo-controlled EASI study [see Clinical Studies (14) ] . All of these were injection site reactions and most were mild. Table 1: Adverse Reactions in EASI-study ASCLERA (180 patients) STS 1% (105 patients) Placebo (53 patients) Injection site haematoma 42% 65% 19% Injection site irritation 41% 73% 30% Injection site…
Warnings
Important safety information
Be prepared to treat anaphylaxis. ( 5.1 ) Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism. ( 5.2 ) Arterial Embolism. ( 5.3 ) Tissue ischemia and necrosis: Do not inject intra-arterially. ( 5.4 ) 5.1 Anaphylaxis Severe allergic reactions have been reported following polidocanol use, including anaphylactic reactions, some of them fatal. Severe reactions are more frequent with use of larger volumes (> 3 mL). Minimize the dose of polidocanol. Be prepared to treat anaphylaxis appropriately. Severe adverse local effects, including tissue necrosis, may occur following extravasation; therefore, take care in intravenous needle placement and use the smallest effective volume at each injection. After the injection session is completed, apply compression with a stocking or bandage, and have the patient walk for 15-20 minutes. Keep the patient under supervision during this period to treat any anaphylactic or allergic reaction [see Dosage and Administration (2) ] . 5.2 Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism Asclera can cause venous thrombosis and subsequent pulmonary embolism or other thrombotic events. Follow administration instructions closely and monitor for signs of venous thrombosis after treatment. Patients with reduced mobility, history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, or recent (within 3 months) major surgery, prolonged hospitalization or pregnancy are at increased risk for developing thrombosis. 5.3 Arterial Embolism Stroke, transient ischemic attack, myocardial infarction, and impaired cardiac function have been reported in close temporal relationship with polidocanol administration. These events may be caused by air embolism when using the product foamed with room air (high nitrogen concentration) or thromboembolism. The safety and efficacy of polidocanol foamed with room air has not been established and its use should be avoided. 5.4 Tissue Ischemia and Necrosis Intra-arterial injection or extravasation of polidocanol can cause severe necrosis, ischemia or gangrene. Take care in intravenous needle placement and use the smallest effective volume at each injection site. After the injection session is completed, apply compression with a stocking or bandage and have patients walk for 15-20 minutes. If intra-arterial injection of polidocanol occurs, consult a vascular surgeon immediately.
Who should not take Asclera
Asclera is contraindicated for patients with known allergy to polidocanol and patients with acute thromboembolic diseases. Known allergies to polidocanol. ( 4 ) Patients with acute thromboembolic diseases. ( 4 )
Overdose — what happens if you take too much
Overdose may result in a higher incidence of localized reactions such as necrosis.
U.S. Poison Control: call or text 1-800-222-1222 (free, 24/7). In an emergency call 911. From the FDA label; not medical advice.
Interactions
No drug-drug interactions have been studied with Asclera.
Drug class
May treat (source: NIH RxClass)
Dosage forms
Injectable
The forms currently marketed in the U.S., per the FDA National Drug Code Directory.
Ways to save
Ask for the generic
Same active ingredient, far cheaper. Is there a generic? →
Request a 90-day supply
Bulk fills usually lower the per-dose price vs monthly refills.
Use copay cards
Manufacturer copay cards & patient-assistance programs — especially for brand drugs.
Compare alternatives
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Frequently asked questions
- What does Asclera treat?
- Asclera (Polidocanol) may be used to treat varicose veins, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.
- Is there a coupon or discount for Asclera?
- pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Asclera. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.
- Who makes Asclera?
- Asclera is marketed by Chemisch Fbrk Krsslr. You can see Chemisch Fbrk Krsslr's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.
- Is Asclera a brand-name or generic drug?
- Asclera is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Polidocanol.
- Is Asclera available over the counter?
- No. Asclera is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.
- What forms does Asclera come in?
- Asclera is currently marketed as injectable, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.
- What class of drug is Asclera?
- Asclera is classified as sclerosing agent, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.
- Is Asclera FDA-registered?
- Asclera is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA021201. You can verify this on its official FDA label.
- Is Asclera safe?
- There's no single safe-or-not verdict, and we don't yet have a composite recall-safety score for Asclera. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings below, and always consult a licensed professional.
- What are the side effects of Asclera?
- Asclera's side effects are taken directly from its FDA label. From the label: The most common adverse reactions occurring at least 3% more frequently than on placebo are mild local reactions at the site of injection. ( 6 ) To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Methapharm at 1-866-701-4636 or [email protected] or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .… Both common and serious reactions are documented in full on this page. This is general reference from the FDA, not medical advice — always consult a professional.
Clinical content sourced from the FDA label via openFDA (U.S. FDA). View the FDA label on DailyMed → Provided for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional and the current prescribing information.
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