Stop, Reduce and Relieve
Daflon is an oral treatment for heavy, painful legs, varicose veins and other symptoms of poor leg vein health. 1
Answer 5 short questions to assess your symptoms and risk factors
Heavy, Painful Legs?
Legs that feel heavy, painful and swollen can be a result of a build up of fluid in the legs due to the blood not circulating as well as it should. This increased fluid leads to the symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency, a condition affecting leg vein health that worsens over time. 2
Healthy Veins
Healthy veins have small valves which prevent blood flowing backwards.
Unhealthy Veins
When the internal walls of the veins are damaged, and these valves don’t work as well, blood can flow back into the veins, resulting in pooling in the lower leg and leading to uncomfortable symptoms that can worsen over time.
Symptoms of Poor Blood Flow
A range of signs and symptoms can point to poor blood flow in the legs. If you’ve been experiencing any of the following symptoms in your legs or ankles you should seek treatment as they can worsen over time. 1,2
Heavy, Painful or Swollen Legs
Tired Legs
Cramping or Leg pain
Spider or Varicose veins
Looks familiar?
If you regularly suffer from at least one of these symptoms, take our quick self-assessment quiz and use your result to help guide your next steps.
Treat Your Symptoms Early
Heavy, painful legs and swelling can be early signs of chronic venous insufficiency. Left untreated, these symptoms can increase in severity, leading to spider veins, varicose veins, and leg ulcers. The different stages of disease are described as grades C0-6 depending on the severity of the symptoms as shown here:
Stage 0
Heavy, Painful Legs
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Stage 0
Heavy, Painful Legs
The first stage, with no visible signs of venous disease. However, damage may already be starting to accumulate inside the vein. This leads to venous reflux and is why you should start treating, even if your only symptoms are heavy and painful legs.
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Stage 1
Spider/Reticular Veins
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Stage 1
Spider/Reticular Veins
Ignoring initial symptoms can cause the condition to worsen, leading to broken blood vessels or “spider veins” and visible veins. They aren’t usually painful, but are an important indicator of leg vein problems. It’s important not to ignore this early sign as the condition can rapidly progress.
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Stage 2
Visible varicose veins
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Stage 2
Visible varicose veins
Left untreated, stage 1 turns to stage 2 with the veins becoming unusually dilated, stretched out and sinuous. These obvious, bulging veins on the legs and ankles are a clear sign of chronic venous insufficiency.
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Stage 3
Swelling of the ankle and leg
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Stage 3
Swelling of the ankle and leg
Edema (swelling) may appear in stage 3 caused by increased pressure and leakage as a result of further deterioration of the venous walls and valves.
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Stage 4
Skin changes
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Stage 4
Skin changes
Continued poor circulation can lead to stage 4, characterised by darkening of the skin around your ankles (hyperpigmentation), redness, dryness, itchiness (venous eczema), hardening of soft tissues and the development of whitish patches.
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Stage 5
Healed ulcers
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Stage 5
Healed ulcers
Stage 5 is defined by the presence of open but healed areas of skin called ulcers. These can be painful and affect your quality of life, making it difficult to move around.
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Stage 6
Active ulcers
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Stage 6
Active ulcers
If you reach stage, you will have open wounds called ulcers on your legs. Internally at this stage there is more deterioration in circulation and increased leakage in the capillaries.
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If you are experiencing any of these symptoms you should speak with a health care professional about treatment options.
By recognising the symptoms and taking action, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of your condition progressing and lessen the impact on your day-to-day life.
RISK FACTORS YOU CAN CONTROL
Standing for long periods
Being overweight
RISK FACTORS YOU CAN’T CONTROL
Age
Gender
Genetics
Factors Affecting Blood Circulation
There are several key risk factors for Chronic Venous Insufficiency, some of which may be beyond your control, but others you can take steps to modify.1
Women are typically more at risk, and a family history, as well as simply growing older can increase your chances of developing symptoms.
Lifestyle factors you can take steps to negate, such as being overweight and inactive, can also increase your risk of developing problems with your veins. Those who stand or sit as part of their occupations, such as nurses, teachers and those in the service industry, are particularly at risk.
Don’t Let Your Legs Hold You Back.
One tablet, twice a day improves vein tone and relieves painful leg symptoms.
Advice for Healthy Legs
By incorporating simple habits into your daily routine and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, you can help protect your legs from the discomfort caused by increased fluid in your legs and the damage this can cause to veins over time:
Stay active
Regular exercise helps improve circulation and tone the muscles in your legs.
Wear compression stockings
Avoid tight clothing which can restrict blood flow in the legs and exacerbate risk of chronic venous insufficiency.
Maintain a healthy weight
Keep a close eye on your weight as obesity can contribute to blocked or weakened valves in leg.
Avoid high heels
Choose a medium heel over flat or high-heeled shoes to encourage more lower leg activity.
Wear loose clothing
Avoid tight clothing which can restrict blood flow in the legs and exacerbate risk of chronic venous insufficiency.
Stay cool
Veins dilate in the heat which can cause blood to pool and contribute to your legs feeling heavy and tired.
Move regularly
Avoid sitting or standing for too long to prevent blood pooling in your leg veins and help blood flow to the heart.
Elevate your legs
Raise your legs and avoid crossing them to help blood flow towards the heart when relaxing.
In addition to lifestyle modifications, topical creams and gels can be used for symptom relief, and medical procedures can treat the advanced condition. Unlike Daflon however, these do not directly address blood circulation and vein health - the root cause of heavy, painful legs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Treatment of chronic venous insufficiency is essential to maintaining healthy legs. If you think you are suffering from this progressive condition, speak with a health care professional about the best treatment(s) for you.
What is Daflon used for?
Daflon is an oral treatment that helps to relieve the signs and symptoms of mild-to-moderate chronic venous insufficiency, such as varicose and spider veins, leg pain, leg cramps and the sensation of heavy legs. It also helps to reduce lower leg edema associated with the condition.
Do I need a prescription for Daflon?
No. Daflon is an over-the-counter treatment. If you can’t find it, your pharmacist should be able to order it for you.
How does Daflon work?
Daflon works by improving vein tone for better circulation and reduced pain, lower leg swelling and sensation of heaviness in the legs. Daflon works by improving the tone of the veins to improve venous circulation. It helps to reduce leg symptoms related to venous disease such as heaviness, pain, swelling.
What is Daflon?
Daflon’s active ingredient is a micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF). It is composed of citrus bioflavonoids, containing 90% diosmin and 10% other flavonoids expressed as hesperidin.
What does micronised mean?
Micronized means that a substance has been broken into very small particles for more effective absorption.
How do I take Daflon correctly for Chronic Venous Insufficiency?
Simply take 1 tablet of Daflon twice a day, midday and evening with meals, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.
How long should I take Daflon for?
Daflon is a continuous treatment for an ongoing progressive condition. It is recommended that you continue to take Daflon unless otherwise directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
I take a lot of medication, can Daflon be taken with other medications?
You should speak with your doctor and discuss whether Daflon is safe to combine with your other medications.
How tolerated is Daflon?
Daflon is well tolerated, and side effects observed in trials were mild. Possible side effects include hypersensitivity/allergy, gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness, headaches, malaise, and skin reactions.
Safety Information:
Daflon 500mg Safety Information
Daflon 500: Micronized, purified flavonoid fraction 500 mg: 450 mg diosmin; 50 mg flavonoids expressed as hesperidine.
INDICATIONS*
Treatment of the symptoms of chronic venous disease of the lower limbs, either organic or functional: feeling of heavy legs, pain, night cramps. Treatment of acute hemorrhoidal episodes.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION*
In venous disease: 1000mg daily.In acute hemorrhoidal attacks: the dosage can be increased up to 3000mg daily.
CONTRAINDICATIONS*
Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
WARNINGS*
The administration of this product for the symptomatic treatment of acute hemorrhoids does not preclude treatment for other anal conditions. If symptoms do not subside promptly, a proctological examination should be performed and the treatment should be reviewed.
Excipients: sodium-free.
INTERACTION(S)*
FERTILITY* PREGNANCY / LACTATION* - Treatment should be avoided.
DRIVE & USE MACHINES*
UNDESIRABLE EFFECTS*
Common: diarrhoea, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting. Rare: dizziness, headache, malaise, rash, pruritus, urticaria. Uncommon: colitis. Frequency not known: abdominal pain, isolated face, lip, eyelid oedema. Exceptionally Quincke's oedema.
OVERDOSE PROPERTIES*
Vascular protector and venotonic.
[Tradename] acts on the return vascular system: it reduces venous distensibility and venous stasis; in the microcirculation, it normalizes capillary permeability and reinforces capillary resistance.
PRESENTATION*
LES LABORATOIRES SERVIER, 50 rue Carnot, 92284 Suresnes cedex France. www.servier.com *
For complete information, please refer to the Summary of Product Characteristics for your country.
References:
- Adapted from Nicolaides A, Kakkos S, Baekgaard N, et al. Management of chronic venous disorders of the lower limbs.
- Guidelines according to scientific evidence. Part I. Int Angiol. 2018;37(3):181-254.1 Bergan JJ et al. N Engl J Med. 2006;355:488-4981.
