Effectiveness of Asclera vs saline injections?

Does Asclera work better than saline injections? I had saline injections 6 weeks ago and there was no improvement in my spider veins. The Dr. suggested using Asclera.

Answers from doctors (2)


Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS, RVT, RPVI, RPhS

Published on Nov 30, 2016

Very few docs use hypertonic saline when there are FDA-approved sclerosant solutions available. Hypertonic saline can cause serious tissue necrosis if it is inadvertently injected into surrounding soft tissue or skin, or if it extravasates out.

This is not seen with sodium tetradecyl sulfate or polidochanol. I do not recommend hypertonic saline for sclerotherapy. Oh, by the way, hypertonic saline is not FDA-approved for sclerotherapy but has been "grandfathered in" since it is been around for many years.

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Answered by Hratch Karamanoukian, MD, FACS, RVT, RPVI, RPhS

Very few docs use hypertonic saline when there are FDA-approved sclerosant solutions available. Hypertonic saline can cause serious tissue necrosis if it is inadvertently injected into surrounding soft tissue or skin, or if it extravasates out.

This is not seen with sodium tetradecyl sulfate or polidochanol. I do not recommend hypertonic saline for sclerotherapy. Oh, by the way, hypertonic saline is not FDA-approved for sclerotherapy but has been "grandfathered in" since it is been around for many years.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Vein Center at University Medicine and Cardiology

Published on Sep 06, 2011

Asclera is approved for veins 1mm-3mm in size and does provide better results than hypertonic saline. You should discuss the risks and benefits with your physician.

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Answered by Vein Center at University Medicine and Cardiology

Asclera is approved for veins 1mm-3mm in size and does provide better results than hypertonic saline. You should discuss the risks and benefits with your physician.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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