Drugs for thrombophlebitis

Thrombophlebitis is an insidious vascular disease in which blood clots form in the veins and an inflammatory process occurs. The disease is quite common, so many are interested in the question of which medications for thrombophlebitis are the most effective.

It is worth noting right away that such drugs should be taken only after consultation with a doctor:

• agents that help dissolve blood clots;
• agents that prevent thrombus formation.

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Indications for use

Medicines for thrombophlebitis are prescribed:

• for inflammation of the venous walls and increased thrombus formation;
• with phlebitis, thrombosis;
• for varicose veins;
• for ulcerative skin lesions due to varicose veins;
• in thrombotic complications after surgical interventions on blood vessels (after sclerotherapy or resection of venous nodes);
• for injuries to muscles, blood vessels, tendons;
• in case of traumatic subcutaneous hemorrhages (hematomas);
• for chronic venous insufficiency, trophic disorders in varicose veins;
• for hemorrhoids;
• for atherosclerosis (as an additional treatment).

The use of drugs for thrombophlebitis in post-thrombophlebitic disease is justified when surgery is not possible and the process can spread to the underlying recanalized venous vessels.

Release form

Medicines for thrombophlebitis can be intended for external and internal use. As a rule, application of medicines to the skin is often combined with oral administration of drugs - this significantly increases the effectiveness of treatment.

External medications can be presented in the form of ointments, creams, gels.

Oral medications include tablets, capsules, drops and dragees.

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Pharmacodynamics of drugs for thrombophlebitis

Anticoagulants are medications that prevent fibrin formation and prevent blood clots. In addition, such medications slow down the progression of already formed blood clots and also enhance fibrinolytic activity.

Based on the mechanism and duration of action, anticoagulants are divided into direct and indirect acting drugs.

Direct acting drugs are medications that directly affect the blood coagulation system. The main components of such agents are heparin, hirudin, sodium hydrocitrate. These components are able to block the biological production of thrombin, prevent the formation of fibrin, reduce platelet aggregation, and weaken the effect of hyaluronidase. External use of such agents has an antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-edematous effect. Local skin irritation is not observed upon application.

Indirect action drugs are capable of disrupting the production of coagulation factors. The effect of such drugs is observed only when administered into the body, since they do not act directly on the blood, but affect coagulation through a certain chain of biological and chemical reactions occurring in the liver. As a result of such influence, thrombin formation is inhibited.

In addition to anticoagulants, for thrombophlebitis, drugs such as antiplatelet agents (counteract the activity and aggregation of platelets) and fibrinolytics (destroy fibrin, which is the basis of a blood clot) may be prescribed.

Pharmacokinetics of drugs for thrombophlebitis

Anticoagulants are perfectly adsorbed by the digestive system. With the blood circulation, the substances pass to the liver and other organs, where their metabolism occurs. The duration of action, half-life and absorption rate of drugs may vary. Excretion from the body is carried out through the kidneys, which contributes to giving the urine a pink tint.

Antiplatelet agents are fully absorbed in the digestive tract. Regardless of the form of the drug, the active substance is completely excreted as metabolites through the urinary system or with feces.

Fibrinolytics act for several hours, and their effect may persist even after the drugs are eliminated from the body. However, the half-life of fibrinolytics is very short: streptokinase - 23 minutes, urokinase - 20 minutes, prourokinase - 4 minutes.

For more precise data on pharmacokinetic properties, see the instructions for the specific drug.

Names of medications for thrombophlebitis

There are many known treatment options for thrombophlebitis, and drug therapy plays an important role among them. The doctor decides which medication to prescribe. The patient should have an idea of the most common means used to eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of the disease, as well as the standard method of use and dosage of such medications.

Medicines for thrombophlebitis of the lower extremities:

• Gepatrombin ointment is a complex product with antithrombotic, anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties. It is intended for external use. The active component is heparin, a well-known anticoagulant that prevents the formation of blood clots. Additional substances are allantoin (a stimulator of metabolic processes, an anti-inflammatory component) and dexpanthenol (a stimulator of heparin absorption, an activator of granulation and recovery). The ointment should be applied to the skin over the affected area up to 3 times a day, carefully, without excessive friction. It can be applied directly to the skin, or in the form of dressings soaked in the preparation. The duration of treatment is individual.
• Lioton 1000 is an antithrombotic external gel that effectively relieves swelling, eliminates inflammation, and prevents thrombus formation. The drug contains sodium heparin. The gel should be evenly and carefully rubbed into the skin 1 to 3 times a day. Can be used for a long time.
• Heparin ointment, gel - a direct anticoagulant drug that accelerates the anticoagulant effect of antithrombin. The substance penetrating the skin acts against inflammation, stimulates local blood circulation and tissue metabolism, reduces the severity of edema. The ointment or gel is used externally, 2 or 3 times a day until the signs of inflammation are eliminated (approximately 5-7 days).
• Venen (Dr. Theiss Venen gel) is a venotonic external preparation on a plant basis, which reduces capillary permeability, relieves swelling and eliminates inflammation. The composition of the preparation is represented by extracts of calendula and horse chestnut seed. The gel should be applied in the morning and at night, gently massaging the skin. Venen is also available in the form of dragees for oral administration (2 pcs. three times a day, then - as recommended by a doctor).

Medicines for varicose veins and thrombophlebitis

• Troxerutin is a venotonic bioflavonoid drug that protects blood vessels from damage. Reduces the permeability of the vascular wall, facilitates local blood circulation, eliminates swelling. It is recommended for use in varicose veins both at early and late stages of the pathology. Troxerutin is often prescribed in combination with vitamin C, which significantly enhances the effect of the drug. The product is available as an external gel (Vramed, Vetprom) and oral capsules (Zentiva). The gel is used in the morning and before bedtime, rubbing until the skin is dry, or placing it under a bandage. The capsules are taken during meals. The standard dosage is 1 capsule 3 times a day, and for prevention - 2 times a day.
• Troxevasin is a drug, a derivative of rutin, used in the treatment of chronic varicose veins. The drug increases vascular tone, strengthens the walls of blood vessels. After a course of treatment, the feeling of discomfort and heaviness disappears, swelling is relieved, and tissue nutrition is facilitated. Troxevasin is available in the form of capsules (with food 1-2 capsules per day for 20-30 days) or gel (externally in the morning and before bedtime).
• Indovazin is a complex drug based on the action of the active ingredients indomethacin and troxerutin. After application to the skin, the drug eliminates swelling, pain and normalizes local temperature, tones blood vessels and protects small capillaries from damage. The duration of treatment with Indovazin is no more than 10 days. The gel cannot be used to treat children under 14 years of age.
• Tenflex is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug based on benzydamine hydrochloride. Eliminates leg pain and inflammation in varicose veins. Available as a spray and 0.15% solution for external use (1-2 times a day).

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Deep Vein Thrombophlebitis Medications

• Indobufen is a drug that prevents platelet aggregation and blood clot formation. It is prescribed after meals, 1-2 tablets per day. It is an analogue of the drug Ibustrin.
• Warfarin is an indirect coagulant, a drug that impedes blood clotting. The drug inhibits the function of vitamin K, which significantly reduces the risk of blood clots. The tablets are taken 2 times a day with liquid, between meals. Treatment can continue for a long time (often six months and a year), with the optimal amount of the drug selected individually.
• Cardiomagnyl is a drug of combined action, which includes acetylsalicylic acid and magnesium hydroxide. As is known, acetylsalicylic acid has long been used to thin the blood, in addition, this drug perfectly eliminates inflammation and lowers temperature. At the same time, magnesium hydroxide reduces the irritating effect of aspirin on the gastric mucosa, thereby preventing some side effects of the drug. Tablets can be broken, ground - this does not change the properties of the drug. Cardiomagnyl is used regardless of food intake, in the amount of 1-2 tablets per day. The duration of the course of treatment is determined individually.
• Dipyridamole is a drug that was previously used exclusively for angina and other heart diseases. However, after the ability of this drug to block the process of blood clot formation was discovered, Dipyridamole began to be successfully used to prevent thrombosis, including deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. The drug is taken orally, 1 tablet three times a day. The duration of treatment can vary from 2-3 weeks to six months.
• Thrombonet is an effective drug based on the substance clopidogrel. It is used for the prevention and treatment of thrombosis. The drug is most often prescribed at 75 mg per day at a time, regardless of food intake. The course of treatment is up to 1 year.

As you can see, there are quite a lot of medications used to treat thrombophlebitis. And the drugs we have listed are far from a complete list of such drugs. How to choose the best medicine for thrombophlebitis?

If the doctor does not insist on surgery and believes that in your case it is enough to use medications, then the question of choosing a drug should be addressed only to him. Only the doctor knows your specific situation:

• stage of the disease;
• duration of the pathology;
• the degree of blood clotting and the degree of risk of developing thrombosis;
• the state of the venous vessels and their capabilities;
• platelet and fibrinogen levels in the blood (test results);
• your lifestyle, dietary preferences and bad habits, etc.

Your doctor may recommend a combination treatment with several medications. This is often quite effective: using both topical and internal medications at the same time.

If you notice that the medication prescribed to you does not help after several weeks of treatment, consult a doctor - he will replace the drug with another, more effective one.

Use during pregnancy

Most often, blood thinners are not recommended for use during pregnancy. This is especially true during the third trimester of pregnancy. This is due to the high risk of bleeding in a pregnant woman, for example, during labor.

If the doctor does prescribe medications for thrombophlebitis, then they should be taken under close medical supervision, with regular testing to determine the degree of blood clotting.

During breastfeeding, the use of such drugs is also undesirable, since in most cases, studies of the effect of antithrombotic drugs on a breastfed child have not been conducted. The consequences of such treatment for the child are unknown.

Contraindications for use

External medications for thrombophlebitis may have the following contraindications:

• individual tendency to allergy to any of the components of the drug;
• hemophilia;
• idiopathic form of thrombocytopenic purpura;
• significant degree of thrombocytopenia;
• ulcers and areas of necrosis in the area affected by thrombophlebitis;
• bleeding of any localization;
• injuries and damage to the skin at the site of application of ointments and gels.

Oral medications also have their contraindications:

• hypersensitivity of the body to the ingredients of the drug;
• pregnancy period (especially the first trimester);
• gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, acute gastritis;
• renal failure;
• childhood and old age;
• recent injuries that have a tendency to bleed.

Before taking the drug, carefully read the instructions for it: this list of contraindications may be incomplete.

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Side effects

Skin disorders:

• rashes;
• itchy areas;
• red spots on the skin;
• swelling;
• burning;
• minor hemorrhages;

Allergic manifestations:

• local hypersensitivity reactions;
• general allergic reactions, including Quincke's edema.

In some cases, temporary redness of the skin on the face and tachycardia are possible.

If any side effects occur, be sure to consult a doctor.

Overdose

When used externally, drug overdose is unlikely. There is no information on reactions associated with accidental ingestion of topical agents. If signs of excessive drug action do occur, symptomatic treatment is used.

When taken orally, an overdose may result in increased side effects, although there have been no reliable cases or reports of overdosing on medications for thrombophlebitis. If this does happen, it is advisable to use gastric lavage and enterosorbent medications.

There is no specific antidote.

Interactions with other drugs

As a rule, taking medications for thrombophlebitis at the same time as the following drugs can provoke a number of effects:

• with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - increased hypocoagulation, risk of bleeding;
• with sleeping pills - weakening of the anticoagulant effect, risk of thrombosis;
• with cimetidine - increased risk of bleeding.

Oral anticoagulants in combination with topical heparin-containing agents may cause prolongation of the prothrombin index.

Storage conditions and shelf life

Medicines for external use are stored in a cool place, without removing them from the factory packaging. Do not allow heating or freezing of gels and ointments for thrombophlebitis.

Medicines for oral administration are usually stored at room temperature, out of the reach of children.

The expiration date of medicines may vary, so read the instructions for the drugs carefully.

Many of the medications can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription. However, medications for thrombophlebitis should be prescribed by a doctor: self-medication can aggravate the disease and worsen the prognosis.