As an
antivaricose agent, it is injected topically into
varicosities to cause
sclerosis (closure) of the abnormal vein. It is indicated for the treatment of patients with esophageal varices that have recently bled, to prevent rebleeding. Ethanolamine is not indicated for the treatment of patients with esophageal varices that have not bled. There is no evidence that treatment of this population decreases the likelihood of bleeding. Sclerotherapy with ethanolamine has no beneficial effect upon portal hypertension, the cause of esophageal varices, so that recanalization and collateralization may occur, necessitating reinjection. == References ==