Morrhuate sodium

Morrhuate sodium is a sclerosing agent that causes venous intima inflammation and thrombus formation, which occludes the injected vein and subsequently forms fibrous tissue that results in partial or complete vein obliteration. It is indicated for obliteration of primary varicosed veins consisting of simple dilation with competent valves. 

Sclerosants permanently destroy the vascular endothelium through different mechanisms depending on the type of agents chemical (iodine or alcohol) osmotic effect (salicylates or hypertonic saline) detergents (morrhuate sodium, Sotradecol, polido-... 

Ethanolamine, sodium tetradecyl sulfate, sodium morrhuate, and polidocanol... 

Allergic contact dermatitis, characterized by erythema, palpable edema, and raised borders, was attributed to benzyl alcohol (2). In this case, the benzyl alcohol was present as a preservative in an injectable solution of sodium tetradecyl sulfate, a sclerosing agent used for the treatment of varicose veins. The author provided a hst of 151 injectable formulations (48 for subcutaneous administration) that contained benzyl alcohol as a preservative in the range 0.5-2.0%. The list included hormones and steroids, antihypertensive drugs (reserpine), vitamin formulations (vitamins B12 and Bg), ammonium sulfate, antihistamines, antibiotics, heparin (17 brands), tranquillizers, and sclerosing agents (sodium morrhuate and sodium tetradecyl sulfate). 

In sclerotherapy an irritant is introduced into varicose veins and esophageal varices, causing a local inflammatory reaction and obliteration of the veins concerned. Sclerosing agents include lauromacrogol 400, mono-ethanolamine oleate, sodium morrhuate, and sodium tetradecylsulfate. 

Sodium morrhuate is a fatty acid extract of cod Uver oil its sclerosant effect was discovered with the use of the agent in treating leprosy (2). Sodium morrhuate is cjdo-toxic, as demonstrated by autopsy studies in 10 patients (3). 

Fever and pneumonia have been reported after the use of sodium morrhuate sclerosant solution (SEDA-14, 456). 

Stroncek DF, Hutton SW, Silvis SE, Vercellotti GM, Jacob HS, Hammerschmidt DE. Sodium morrhuate stimulates granulocytes and damages erythrocytes and endothelial cells probable mechanism of an adverse reaction during sclerotherapy. J Lab Clin Med 1985 106(5) 498-504. 

The detergent-type of sclerosants includes aetoxis-clerol (polidocanol l%-3%, sodium tetradecyl sulfate (STS), sodium morrhuate, and ethanolamine. Theses detergents can be used in liquid or foam. 

---