Before Sclerotherapy
There are certain medications you will be instructed to avoid before your sclerotherapy treatment. Follow these guidelines:
- Antibiotics such as tetracycline or minocycline (Minocin® or Dynacin®) may make your skin stain if you take them seven to 10 days before or after sclerotherapy. Ask your healthcare provider about other antibiotic medications that are safe to take and ask for guidelines to stop these medications. Tell your provider if you need to take an antibiotic before invasive procedures.
- Avoid using aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil® and Nuprin®), or any other anti-inflammatory drugs 48 hours prior to and following sclerotherapy. These drugs may increase bleeding or interfere with the sclerosing agent’s ability to work. Acetaminophen is safe to use (Tylenol® or Panadol®). Before you stop taking any medicine, ask your doctor for precise instructions.
- Prednisone (Rayos® or Sterapred®) makes the sclerosing agent is less effective when taken with it. Inquire with the doctor who prescribed your prednisone about whether you can safely stop taking it for 48 hours prior to receiving sclerotherapy.
Other guidelines to take note of before your procedure:
- Don’t put any lotion on your legs before or after sclerotherapy.
- Come with a pair of shorts to wear for your procedure.
If you have compression hosiery (support stockings) from previous treatments, bring them with you so your provider can make sure they’ll give you enough support after your procedure.