Numerous off-label dermatological uses for polidocanol have been reported, despite the drug’s approved use for treating incompetent great saphenous veins, accessory saphenous veins, and visible varicosities of the great saphenous vein system. The goal of this study was to detail the clinical applications of polidocanol outside of dermatology, including their efficacy and any potential side effects. Studies describing clinical uses of polidocanol from 2004 to 2021 that are searchable on PubMed were reviewed to ascertain efficacy and adverse effects in various dermatologic applications. Some of the conditions that polidocanol has been shown to help with include: mucocele of the minor salivary gland; hemangioma; varicose veins of the upper extremities; reticular veins of the chest; facial veins; pyogenic granuloma; lymphangioma circumscriptum; digital mucous cyst; mixed skin ulcers; cutaneous focal mucinosis; seromas; glomuvenous mal Symptoms like pain, erythema, swelling, ecchymosis, and ulceration are frequently reported. However, the strength of data supporting many uses is limited by small sample sizes and a lack of controls, as most sources were case reports and small prospective studies. Although the FDA has only approved the use of polidocanol to treat incompetent great saphenous veins, accessory saphenous veins, and visible varicosities of the great saphenous vein system, polidocanol has been chosen for a number of off-label clinical applications.
