Definition
Thrombophlebitis is the term used to indicate the inflammation of a vein wall caused by the formation of a blood clot, or the formation of a thrombus.
Thrombophlebitis can affect superficial veins (therefore we speak of superficial thrombophlebitis, nowadays called simply "thrombophlebitis"), or it can involve the deep veins (in this case we speak of deep vein thrombosis).
Causes
There are several causes that can contribute to the development of thrombophlebitis. These include:
- the reduction of blood flow velocity inside the veins;
- venous wall injuries, which can be caused by trauma, infection, intravenous catheters or needles;
- injection of anticancer drugs or irritants;
- alterations in blood coagulation;
- pregnancy and varicose veins.
Symptoms
The symptoms that can occur in patients suffering from thrombophlebitis are pain and stiffness on palpation of the vein affected by inflammation, localized edema, swelling, redness and inflammation of the skin.
Furthermore, in some cases, superficial thrombophlebitis can become complicated in deep vein thrombosis.
Following the detachment of a fragment of thrombus (which thus gives rise to an embolus), instead, serious complications could arise, such as stroke, myocardial infarction and pulmonary embolism.
Information on Thrombophlebitis - Thrombophlebitis Drugs is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Thrombophlebitis - Thrombophlebitis Drugs.
drugs
Sometimes, superficial thrombophlebitis can resolve itself within a couple of weeks, without the need to resort to using drugs. However, unfortunately, this is not always the case.
To treat superficial thrombophlebitis, therefore, the doctor may decide to prescribe creams based on natural substances (such as, for example, rutin, asiaticoside and hesperidin, etc.), with vasoprotective and anti-inflammatory activity. To help promote healing, when possible, it can also recommend the use of suitable elastic supports.
Furthermore, if deemed necessary, the doctor may decide to undertake a pharmacological therapy based on the administration of anti-inflammatory and possibly heparin drugs, so as to reduce inflammation, edema and the risk of thrombophlebitis developing into deep vein thrombosis .
As for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis, instead, see the dedicated article: "Drugs for the Treatment of Deep Venous Thrombosis".
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used in the treatment of superficial thrombophlebitis by virtue of their anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
Among the various active ingredients that can be used, we mention ibuprofen (Brufen ®, Moment ®, Nurofen ®, Arfen ®, Actigrip fever and pain ®, Vicks fever and pain ®).
Ibuprofen is available in different pharmaceutical formulations suitable for different routes of administration (oral, parenteral, rectal). When administered orally, the dose used should not exceed 1, 200-1, 800 mg of active ingredient per day.
The exact amount of drug that must be taken must therefore be established by the doctor on an individual basis for each patient, so as to identify the dosing schedule that is best suited to each individual case.
Heparin
Heparin is an anticoagulant drug capable of preventing thrombus formation. To be precise, in truth, it is good to specify that the term heparin does not indicate a single active principle, but rather indicates a family of mucopolysaccharides capable of inhibiting blood clotting.
In fact, we can distinguish standard heparin (also called "unfractionated" and, often, simply called "heparin") and low molecular weight heparins. This last category of heparins is used both in the treatment of thrombophlebitis, and for preventive purposes to prevent it from becoming complicated in deep vein thrombosis.
Compared to unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparins have a longer duration of action.
Among the different types of low molecular weight heparins that can be used, we recall:
- Bemiparin (Ivor ®): when used in the treatment of thrombophlebitis, the dose of bemiparin to be administered varies according to the age and body weight of the patients. For example, when used in adult patients between the ages of 18 and 64 and having a body weight of between 50 and 70 kg, the usual administered dose is 7, 500 IU per day.
When used to prevent the onset of deep vein thrombosis, however, the dose of bemiparin used is 2, 500-3, 500 IU
However, the doctor will decide, on a case-by-case basis, how much bemiparin to use and how long to administer it.
- Enoxaparin (Clexane ®): enoxaparin can be used in the treatment of superficial thrombophlebitis to prevent complications in deep vein thrombosis.
In this case, enoxaparin is usually administered subcutaneously at a dose of 2, 000 IU per day. If necessary, your doctor may decide to increase the dose of enoxaparin used.
- Dalteparin (Fragmin ®): also dalteparin can be used to prevent the complication of thrombophlebitis in deep vein thrombosis. The usual dose of medication is 2, 500-5, 000 IU, to be administered subcutaneously. The exact dose of dalteparin to be used in each patient should be established by the doctor.
