Superficial Thrombophlebitis Medication

  • Author: Nelson S Menezes, MD, FRCS(Edin), FACS; Chief Editor: Vincent Lopez Rowe, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 5, 2012
 

Medication Summary

Some anti-inflammatory drugs may be of benefit. Salicylates, indomethacin, and ibuprofen have been reported to be effective. Salicylates, ibuprofen, and dipyridamole have been used as antithrombotic agents, but their effectiveness has not been documented in this setting.[15] Because thrombophlebitis is primarily due to inflammation and fibrin clot, antithrombotic or antiplatelet-aggregating agents would seem to have little value. Anticoagulants are usually not indicated unless the process extends into the deep venous system. In rare cases when persistent inflammation is present in an area of superficial thrombophlebitis, a brief course of LMWH can be used as an alternative to excision of the vein in order to bring the inflammation under control. This treatment alternative may be necessary for management of superficial thrombophlebitis associated with pregnancy.

Antibiotics are usually not necessary unless the process is suppurative. In persistent cases or even as early definitive therapy, excision of the inflammatory process is effective. The wounds usually heal well with primary closure; the inflammatory process, except in suppurative phlebitis, is usually nonbacterial and localized and is removed completely.

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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Class Summary

These agents decrease inflammatory responses and systemically interfere with events leading to inflammation.

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Ibuprofen (Ibuprin, Advil, Motrin)

 

DOC for patients with mild-to-moderate pain. Inhibits inflammatory reactions and pain by decreasing prostaglandin synthesis.

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Indomethacin (Indochron E-R, Indocin)

 

Rapidly absorbed; metabolism occurs in liver by demethylation, deacetylation, and glucuronide conjugation; inhibits prostaglandin synthesis.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Nelson S Menezes, MD, FRCS(Edin), FACS  Assistant Professor of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College; Chief of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, Brooklyn Hospital Center

Nelson S Menezes, MD, FRCS(Edin), FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, International Society of Endovascular Specialists, Medical Society of the State of New York, and Society for Vascular Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Jeffrey Lawrence Kaufman, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, Tufts University School of Medicine

Jeffrey Lawrence Kaufman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Surgeons, American Society for Artificial Internal Organs, Association for Academic Surgery, Association for Surgical Education, Massachusetts Medical Society, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Vascular Surgery

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Travis J Phifer, MD  Chief, Division of Vascular Surgery, Professor, Department of Surgery and Radiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport

Travis J Phifer, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Surgeons, American Medical Association, Association for Academic Surgery, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, Society for Vascular Surgery, and Society of Critical Care Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Paolo Zamboni, MD  Professor of Surgery, Chief of Day Surgery Unit, Chair of Vascular Diseases Center, University of Ferrara, Italy

Paolo Zamboni, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Venous Forum and New York Academy of Sciences

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Vincent Lopez Rowe, MD  Associate Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery, University of Southern California Medical Center Program Director, Vascular Surgery Residency

Vincent Lopez Rowe, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Surgeons, American Heart Association, Pacific Coast Surgical Association, Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery, Society for Vascular Surgery, and Western Vascular Surgical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

The authors and editors of eMedicine gratefully acknowledge the contributions of previous author, William A. Marston, MD, to the development and writing of this article.

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