Oedema-protective agents

Oedema-protective agents are used in venous disease to reduce oedema

Medicinal products (medicines) that are used in venous disease to prevent or reduce oedema. With venous disease such as varicose veins there are changes in the vein walls, which make them more permeable to components of the blood. As a result, fluid collects in the tissues around varicose veins – the so-called oedema.
Oedema-protective agents reduce the pathological (abnormal) permeability of the vein wall and counteract oedema. This relieves the symptoms of venous weakness, such as swelling of the ankles or legs and a feeling of tension, pain, or heaviness in the legs. These agents are most effective when the medicine is already taken before oedema develops.

The active substances include horse chestnut seed extract and troxerutin (e.g. Troxeven® in Germany). The effects of troxerutin in reducing permeability help to prevent fluid accumulation in the tissues and stabilise the blood vessels, especially the veins. In general, the use of an oedema-protective agent supports, but cannot and should not replace professional medical treatment from a doctor