No case of systemic overdose has been reported. Using a higher concentration than recommended in small veins may lead to pigmentation and/or local tissue necrosis.
Hypersensitivity to sodium tetradecyl sulfate or to any component of the preparation and allergic conditions
Patients unable to walk due to any cause, bedridden patients
Patients with a high risk of thrombosis e.g. patients with a congenital predisposition to blood clots or with multiple risk factors such as hormonal contraception or hormone replacement therapy, significant obesity, smoking or extended periods of immobility
Recent acute superficial thrombophlebitis, deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism
Recent surgery
Varicosities caused by pelvic or abdominal tumours unless the tumour has been removed
Uncontrolled systemic disease such as diabetes mellitus, toxic hyperthyroidism, tuberculosis, asthma, neoplasm, sepsis, blood dyscrasias and acute respiratory or skin diseases
Evolutive cancer
Significant valvular incompetence of the deep veins
Occlusive arterial disease
Huge superficial veins with wide open communications to deeper veins
Phlebitis migrans
Acute cellulitis
Acute infections
In addition when the sclerosant has been converted to foam:
Known symptomatic patent foramen ovale (PFO).
This product is not compatible with heparin.
In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product should not be mixed with other medicinal products.
The most commonly reported side effects are pain on injection urticaria, superficial thrombophlebitis and temporary skin pigmentation after treatment. Very rarely a permanent discoloration may remain along the path of the sclerosed vein segment. Ulceration may occur following extravasation of the drug. It is important to use the lowest strength that will sclerose the vein as many of the common side effects are caused by using a concentration that is too high.
Intra-arterial injection although very rare has been reported resulting in significant tissue necrosis including loss of the extremity.
The most serious side effects are anaphylactic shock and pulmonary embolism and deaths have been reported in patients receiving sodium tetradecyl sulfate.
Adverse events are listed below by system organ class and estimated frequency from published clinical data. Frequencies are defined using the following convention:
Very common > 1/10
Common > 1/100 to < 1/10
Uncommon > 1/1000 to < 1/100
Rare > 1/10,000 to < 1/1000
Very rare (includes isolated reports) ≤ 1/10,000
| Immune disorders | Using liquid | Using foam |
| Systemic allergic reactions e.g. anaphylactic shock, asthma, generalised hives. | Very Rare | Very Rare |
| Nervous system disorders | Using liquid | Using foam |
| Headache, migraine, local sensitivity disturbances (parasthesias). Vaso-vagal reactions e.g. fainting, confusion, dizziness, loss of consciousness. | Very Rare | Rare |
| Nerve damage after extravasation of the drug | Very Rare | Very Rare |
| Weakness (hemiparesis, hemiplegia), transient ischaemic attack (TIA), palpitations. | Very Rare | Very Rare |
| Stroke | Very rare | Very rare |
| Eye disorders | Using liquid | Using foam |
| Scotoma, scintillating scotoma. | Very rare | Uncommon |
| Vascular disorders | Using liquid | Using foam |
| Superficial thrombophlebitis, phlebitis. | Common | Very Common |
| Matting (growth of very fine spider veins in treated area). | Uncommon | Common |
| Deep vein thrombosis (mostly muscular and distal). | Very rare | Uncommon |
| Pulmonary embolism, vasculitis, circulatory collapse. | Very Rare | Very Rare |
| Distal tissue necrosis following intra-arterial injection, may lead to gangrene. Most cases have involved the posterior tibial artery above the medial malleolus. Arterial spasm can occur despite intravenous injection. | Very Rare | Very Rare |
| Respiratory disorders | Using liquid | Using foam |
| Coughing, shortness of breath, sensation of pressure/tightness in the chest. | Very rare | Rare |
| Gastro-intestinal disorders | Using liquid | Using foam |
| Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, feeling of swollen/thick tongue, dry mouth. | Very rare | Very rare |
| Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders | Using liquid | Using foam |
| Skin discolouration (hyperpigmentation, more rarely - haematoma & ecchymosis). | Uncommon | Common |
| Local allergic and non-allergic skin reactions e.g. erythema, urticaria, dermatitis, swelling/induration. | Uncommon | Uncommon |
| Local sloughing and necrosis of skin & tissues. | Rare | Rare |
| General disorders | Using liquid | Using foam |
| Pain or burning (short term at the injection site). | Common | Uncommon |
| Fever, hot flushes. | Very rare | Very rare |
There are no additional data of relevance to the prescriber other than those already mentioned in other sections of the SmPC.
For the treatment of uncomplicated primary varicose veins, recurrent or residual varicose veins following surgery, reticular veins, venules and spider veins of the lower extremities that show simple dilation.
Fibrovein is indicated in adults.
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Sclerosing agents for local injections.
ATC code C05BB04
Sodium tetradecyl sulfate is a sclerosing agent. Intravenous injection causes intima inflammation and thrombus formation. This usually occludes the injected vein. Subsequent formation of fibrous tissue results in partial or complete vein obliteration that may or may not be permanent.
Absorption
Fibrovein containing sodium tetradecyl sulfate is administered directly into the lumen of the isolated segment of vein/venule.
Distribution
In humans, the majority (75%) of an injected dose of radiolabelled 3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate rapidly disappeared from the empty varicose vein injection site into communicating blood vessels with rapid passage into the deep calf veins.
In rats, at 72 hours after intravenous dosing of radiolabelled sodium tetradecyl sulfate, tissue levels of radiolabel found in the sampled tissues (liver, kidney, lipid and skeletal muscle) were extremely low. Although there was some evidence of radiolabel associated with the injection site, the levels were very low.
Biotransformation
The metabolism of sodium tetradecyl sulfate has not been confirmed.
Elimination
Of an intravenously administered radiolabelled dose, 70% was recovered in the urine of rats within the first 24 hours post-dosing. At the end of the 72 hour post-dose period, 73.5% of the radiolabel had been recovered from the urine and 18.2% recovered from the faeces.
Hepatic/Renal Impairment
No pharmacokinetics studies have been performed in patients with hepatic or renal impairment.
Fibrovein should only be administered by a healthcare professional experienced in venous anatomy and the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the venous system and familiar with proper injection technique.
Before treatment, healthcare professional should investigate patient's risk factors and inform them about the risks of the technique.
As a reminder, sclerotherapy is contra-indicated in patients with high risk of thromboembolic events, but should also be avoided in most situations at lower risk. Sclerotherapy is notably not recommended in patients with a history of thromboembolic events
Nevertheless, if sclerotherapy is judged necessary, preventive anticoagulation can be initiated.
Due to the risk of circulation of product, bubbles or particulates in the right heart, the presence of a PFO may enhance the occurrence of serious arterial adverse events. In patients with history of migraine with aura, serious cerebrovascular events or pulmonary hypertension, it is recommended to search for PFO before sclerotherapy.
In patients with asymptomatic but known PFO, it is recommended to use smaller volumes and avoid Valsalva maneuver in the minutes after injection.
Use smaller volumes in patients with history of migraine.
Severe adverse local effects, including tissue necrosis, may occur following extravasation; therefore, extreme care in intravenous needle placement and using the minimal effective volume at each injection site are important.
Sclerosants must never be injected into an artery as this can cause extended tissue necrosis and may result in loss of the extremity. Injection under duplex ultrasound is recommended in order to avoid extravasations and arterial injection.
Healthcare professional should monitor the patient during and after the administration of Fibrovein. Symptoms of hypersensitivity (redness, pruritis, cough) or neurological symptoms (scotoma, amaurosis, migraine with aura, paresthesia, focal deficit) may happen
Special care should be taken in patients with laboured breathing (bronchial asthma) or a strong predisposition to allergies.
Emergency resuscitation equipment should be immediately available. Allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis have been reported. The possibility of an anaphylactic reaction should be kept in mind, and the physician should be prepared to treat it appropriately.
Because of the danger of thrombosis extension into the deep venous system, thorough preinjection evaluation for valvular competency should be carried out and slow injections with a small amount (not over 2 mL) of the preparation should be injected into the varicosity. Deep venous patency must be determined by noninvasive testing such as duplex ultrasound. Venous sclerotherapy should not be undertaken if tests such as Trendelenberg and Perthes, and angiography show significant valvular or deep venous incompetence.
Healthcare professional should see the patient again after 1 month for a control of treatment efficacy and safety, by clinical and ultrasound evaluation.
The development of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism have been reported following sclerotherapy treatment of superficial varicosities. Patients should have post-treatment follow-up of sufficient duration to assess for the development of deep vein thrombosis. Embolism may occur as long as four weeks after injection of sodium tetradecyl sulfate. Adequate post-treatment compression may decrease the incidence of deep vein thrombosis.
Extreme caution in use is required in patients with underlying arterial disease such as severe peripheral atherosclerosis or thromboangiitis obliterans (Buerger's disease).
Special care is required when injecting the foot and malleolar area where the risk of inadvertent injection into an artery may be increased.
Pigmentation may be more likely to result if blood is extravasated at the injection site (particularly when treating smaller surface veins) and compression is not used.
In addition when the sclerosant has been converted to foam:
Known asymptomatic patent foramen ovale (PFO). Patients with a PFO have been shown to be more likely to suffer from adverse events such as temporary neurological events, visual disturbances and migraine.
Previous migraine sufferers should be treated with care. Patients with previous migraine have been shown to be more likely to suffer from visual disturbances and migraine, particularly following injections with foamed sclerosant.
For the treatment of truncular varicosities, there should be a minimal distance of 8 to 10 cm between the site of foam injection and the saphenofemoral junction.
If venous insufficiency is associated with lymphoedema, the sclerosant injection may worsen local pain and inflammation for days or several weeks. Patients should be informed of this expected phase, which does not compromise efficacy.
A bandage and/or compression stockings may be added after treatment. This could affect the ability to drive.
Method of administration
Fibrovein is for intravenous use only.
Strict aseptic technique must be maintained while handling Fibrovein.
Fibrovein is a single-use parenteral product. Once the container is opened, use immediately and discard any unused portion.
Visually inspect for particulate matter before use. Solutions that contain particulate matter should not be used.
Recommended doses and dosage schedules
Adults/Elderly
| Concentration and form | Normal volume injected intravenously at suitable sites per session | Maximum total volume to be injected per session | ||
| Liquid | Foam* | Liquid | Foam* | |
| Fibrovein 3% | 0.5 to 2.0ml | 0.5 to 2.0 ml | 4 ml | 16ml |
| Fibrovein 1% | 0.1 to 1.0 ml | 0.5 to 2.0ml | 10 ml | 16ml |
| Fibrovein 0.5% & 0.2% | 0.1 to 1.0 ml | NA | 10 ml | NA |
* volume is the sum of the liquid and air components
Where special caution is indicated it is recommended that a test dose of 0.25 to 0.5ml Fibrovein should be given followed by observation of the patient for several hours before administration of a second or larger dose.
As the volume to be injected is limited per session, repeated sessions are usually needed (2 to 4 on average). To prevent a possible allergic reaction, it is recommended that a small test dose of Fibrovein should be given at the beginning of each session.
For spider veins the smallest of needles (30 gauge) should be used to perform the injection which should be made slowly so that the blood content of these veins is expelled. In the treatment of spider veins an air block technique may be used.
When the sclerosant is administered as a foam.
Fibrovein 1% and 3%, may be converted to a foam to be used for the treatment of larger veins. The foam must be prepared just before use and administered by a physician appropriately trained in the correct generation and administration of foam. It should ideally be administered under ultra sound guidance.
Paediatric Population
Fibrovein is not indicated in children.
The foam must be prepared just before use and administered by a physician appropriately trained in the correct generation and administration of foam.
Strict aseptic technique must be maintained while manufacturing the foam.
Manufacture of foam using the Tessari technique
To create the foam 1ml of liquid sclerosant is drawn into a sterile syringe and 3ml or 4ml of sterile air is drawn into another sterile syringe. The air is drawn through a 0.2 μm filter to ensure it is sterile. The syringes are then connected using a sterile three way tap/valve (Fig. 1).
The sclerosant/air mixture is then forced back and forth from one syringe to the other through the 3-way valve approximately 20 times to produce a smooth, consistent foam (Fig. 2&3).
The syringe containing the foam, is then removed and the vein is injected immediately (Fig. 4).
The sclerosant foam must be used within sixty seconds of production. After sixty seconds any remaining foam should be discarded. More foam should be prepared if required.
The quality of the foam should be checked before administration. It should appear homogeneous with no large bubbles visible to the naked eye.
The quality of foam depends on specific criteria:
1. The product concentration: Foam can only be prepared with concentrations of 1 to 3% sodium tetradecyl sulfate.
2. The proportion of liquid to air: Usually, this proportion is 1 volume of liquid for 3 volumes of air.
3. Number of backwards and forwards passes: The physician should follow precisely the number of movements defined for each technique.
4. Macroscopic consistency of the foam: The quality of the foam should be checked outside of the syringe before administration. The foam should be homogenous, soft and cohesive with no visible large bubbles. If large bubbles are visible, the foam should be thrown away and a new foam prepared.
5. The total time of preparation of the foam: The preparation should take around 10 seconds from the first to the last backwards and forwards movement.
6. The maximum time between preparation and injection: The sclerosant foam must be used within sixty seconds of production. After sixty seconds, any remaining foam should be discarded. More foam should be prepared if required.
Disposal
There are no special requirements for disposal.
