Polidocanol

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

In addition to using moisturizers to improve barrier function with hopes of itch reduction subsequent to this improvement, another approach is to formulate topicals containing both moisturizers and anti-pruritics. Some common topical pruritics currently being used with success are pramoxine and polidocanol.1,45 This approach has been used extensively internationally, but remains underutilized in the United States. Studies using ceramide-dominant emollients compounded with anti-pruritics would be of interest. 

Freitag, G. and Hoppner, T. Results of a postmarketing drug monitoring survey with a polidocanol-urea preparation for dry, itching skin. Curr. Med. Res. Opin. 13, 529-537 (1997). 

Other agents employed for surface anesthesia include the uncharged polidocanol and the catamphiphilic tetracaine and lidocaine (e.g. as a 5% gel). 

A 24-year-old man with acute malaise and fever had a pruritic rash with multiple erythematous circumscribed weals on the trunk, arms, legs, neck, and scalp. He admitted to using intranasal cocaine 6 months, 4 days, and 1 day before the onset of the symptoms. His temperature was 39° C. His erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 80 mm in the first hour, C-reactive protein was 283 mg/1 (reference range below 10), and the white blood cell count was 12.4 x 109/1 with 89% neutrophils. A biopsy of an urticarial lesion showed a perivascular inflammatory infiltrate in the upper and middle dermis. Bed rest, oral prednisone, oral hydroxyzine, and topical polidocanol led to improvement within 24 hours. 

Lanromacrogol 400 (polidocanol) has been nsed as a solvent and non-ionic emnlsifier that contains 95% hydroxypolyethoxydodecane and 5% ethyl alcohol. In medicaments it has been nsed as a topical anesthetic, an antipruritic, and a sclerosant. 

Frosch PJ, Schulze-Dirks A. Kontaktallergie durch Polidocanol (Thesis). [Contact allergy caused by polidocanol (thesis).] Hautarzt 1989 40(3) 146-9. 

Uter W, Geier J, Fuchs T IVDK Study Group. Contact allergy to polidocanol, 1992 to 1999. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000 106(6) 1203. ... 

Marrocco-Trischitta MM, Guerrini P, Abeni D, Stillo F. Reversible cardiac arrest after polidocanol sclerotherapy of peripheral venous mahormatiou. Dermatol Surg 2002 28(2) 153-5. 

Feied CF, Jackson JJ, Bren TS, Bond OB, Fernando CE, Young VC, Hashemiyoon RB. Allergic reactions to polidocanol for vein sclerosis. Two case reports. J Dermatol Surg Oncol 1994 20(7) 466-8. 

Polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers such as polidocanol are suitable for use in injectable formulations as a solubilizer or dispersant. ... 

Cabrera J, Redondo P, Becerra A, et al. Ultrasound-guided injection of polidocanol microfoam in the management of venous leg ulcers. Arch Dermatol 2004 140(6) 667-673. 

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