Home Conditions Varicose Veins and Venous Insufficiency

Varicose Veins and Venous Insufficiency — guide.

Varicose veins are dilated, tortuous veins in the lower limbs. Chronic venous insufficiency includes varicose veins, edema, and trophic changes. It affects 25-30% of adults.

Also known as: varicose veins chronic venous insufficiency
5 recommended OTC drugs
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In short: Varicose veins are dilated, twisted veins in the legs and part of chronic venous insufficiency, which often brings swelling and a feeling of heaviness; it affects 25-30% of adults. For discomfort, over-the-counter options include venotonics (diosmin + hesperidin, aescin from horse chestnut, ruscus), compression stockings and topical heparinoid gel. On HartaFarmacii you can compare the price of these OTC products across the major pharmacies (Dr. Max, Tei, Catena, HelpNet), with prices updated daily. This information is for guidance only and does not replace a medical consultation; see a doctor for signs of thrombophlebitis: pain, redness and a hard, tender cord along a vein.

Data verified on from public sources (OpenStreetMap, chain websites, ANM/MS) — updated daily.

OTC — adjuncts

What you can take alongside treatment

Informational only — HartaFarmacii is not an approved medical site. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Don't self-medicate. Emergencies: 112.

When to seek urgent medical help

Any of these signs calls for prompt medical evaluation:

  • Thrombophlebitis (pain, redness, induration over the vein)
  • Suspected DVT (unilateral edema, calf pain)
  • Active venous ulcer
  • Varicose bleeding
  • Massive edema, progressive skin changes

What are varicose veins

Varicose veins are dilated and tortuous superficial veins, visible mainly on the calves and thighs. They appear when the venous valves that prevent blood from flowing backward become incompetent, causing blood to pool and pressure within the vein to rise. Chronic venous insufficiency is the more advanced form, with edema, a sensation of heavy legs, nocturnal cramps, itching and, over time, skin changes and even ulcers. They are more common in women, worsen during pregnancy and are favored by prolonged standing, heredity, obesity and advancing age.

Symptoms

A sensation of heaviness and fatigue in the legs, worse in the evening and after prolonged standing, edema at the ankles, nocturnal cramps, tingling, itching along the veins and discomfort that improves when the legs are raised or when wearing compression stockings.

Clinical stages (CEAP)

  • C0 — no signs.
  • C1 — telangiectasias, reticular veins.
  • C2 — varicose veins.
  • C3 — edema.
  • C4 — skin changes (pigmentation, eczema).
  • C5 — healed ulcer.
  • C6 — active ulcer.

Risk factors

Heredity, female sex, pregnancy, prolonged standing, obesity, age.

Treatment

Conservative:

  • Compression stockings class 1-3 (depending on severity).
  • Leg elevation.
  • Exercise (walking, swimming).
  • Weight loss.
  • Avoiding prolonged standing.

Venotonics:

  • Diosmin + hesperidin (Detralex, Daflon).
  • Horse chestnut extract (Aescin) — 300 mg/day.
  • Ruscus.
  • Vitis (grape) — flavonoids.

Interventional:

  • Sclerotherapy.
  • Endovenous laser ablation (EVLA), radiofrequency (RFA).
  • Classic surgery (saphenectomy).
  • CHIVA.

Complications

  • Superficial thrombophlebitis.
  • Deep venous thromboembolism (DVT).
  • Varicose ulcer.
  • Bleeding.
  • Stasis dermatitis.

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a health professional.

Compared medicines

Medicines used for varicose veins and venous insufficiency

This list is indicative, generated automatically from DCI/category matching. It is not a medical recommendation — consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

This list is not a medical recommendation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Search the pharmacy

Medicine categories for varicose veins and venous insufficiency

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for varicose veins and venous insufficiency

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll see pharmacies sorted by distance with their opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. For overnight or weekend trips, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For varicose veins and venous insufficiency some medicines need a prescription — make sure you have a valid one (electronic or paper) before you leave, to avoid wasted trips.

For chronic treatment, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and check prices on the comparator — OTC differences between chains can hit 20-40%, while CANAMED-capped Rx items have a fixed maximum but may carry promotions. If your treatment for varicose veins and venous insufficiency runs on a monthly script, schedule pickup a few days before you run out.

Left untreated

Possible complications

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Dureri musculare

Durerile musculare (mialgiile) pot fi localizate (efort, contuzie) sau generalizate (viroze, boli reumatologice, medicamente — statine). Majoritatea sunt benigne și se rezolvă cu repaus.

 Symptom

Crampe

Crampele musculare sunt contracții involuntare, dureroase. Cele mai comune — crampele nocturne de gambă. Cauze: deshidratare, dezechilibre electrolitice, efort, medicamente, circulație, sarcină.

 Condition

Tromboză venoasă profundă

Tromboza venoasă profundă (TVP) = formarea unui cheag în venele profunde, de regulă ale membrelor inferioare. Risc major — embolie pulmonară. Urgență medicală.

Frequently asked

What else would you like to know?

Do stockings really work?
Yes, they are the most effective non-pharmacological measure. They reduce edema, pain and DVT risk. Class 2 (23-32 mmHg) for most people. Put them on in the morning.
Detralex — for how long?
For an acute episode — 4-6 weeks. For chronic cases — courses of 2-3 months, 2-3 times a year, or continuously in severe cases.
Laser or surgery?
Endovenous laser (EVLA) is the current standard — less invasive, with quick recovery. Classic surgery for complex cases.
Do varicose veins go away?
Not spontaneously. They can be stopped through intervention. Prevention and care prevent their spread.

See also

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