One of the major pharmaceutical products that sees increased sales in pharmacies during the summer season is "venous circulation (disorder) improvement agents." This year, amid an early heatwave that arrived 2 to 3 weeks ahead of previous years, more consumers have sought out venous circulation improvement agents.
According to the pharmaceutical industry on the 16th, Dongkook Pharmaceutical's Sensia, the top-selling product in Korea's venous circulation improvement agent market, continued to see increased sales in June following growth in May. The company noted that the supply volume next month could be exhausted based on last year's trends.
A representative from Dongkook Pharmaceutical said, "Sales of Sensia increase in pharmacies during the summer peak season because pharmacies place orders in advance from May to July due to the distribution structure. As a result, inventory is depleted in August and September, leading to a resurgence in orders (sales) in September."
Daewon Pharmaceutical's venous and lymphatic circulation improvement agent "Newvein" has also seen an increase in sales. According to market research agency IQVIA, Newvein's sales in the second quarter (April to June) increased by 30% compared to the first quarter (January to March), recording 1.34 billion won. This represents an 8.5% increase compared to the previous year.
Both Sensia and Newvein are over-the-counter medications available in pharmacies without a prescription. The strong sales of these products indicate an increase in patients visiting medical clinics due to symptoms of lower limb varicose veins in the summer. Lower limb varicose veins are a condition where blood pools in the lower veins due to valve dysfunction, leading to symptoms such as swelling, cramps, and pain. As temperatures rise, blood vessels dilate, increasing the blood pooling in the legs and putting pressure on surrounding muscle, skin, and nerve tissue.
If left untreated, swelling or pain caused by lower limb varicose veins can lead to bulging veins in the calves resembling worms crawling under the skin, swelling of the legs, frequent cramps, and easy fatigue. Symptoms such as foot pain and recurrent cramps at night can also occur. It can cause skin pigmentation, dermatitis, vasculitis, and bleeding, with severe cases leading to skin ulcers.
The venous circulation improvement agents sold in the market are mainly developed using plant-derived (herbal) ingredients that have been proven to improve the function of venous blood vessels. Representative ingredients include Centella Asiatica, sweet clover (a type of senna plant), and diosmin extracted from citrus peels.
The main ingredient of Sensia is "Centella standardized extract." The main ingredient of Newvein is troxerutin (3500 mg), which is a flavonoid compound derived from the sophora tree. Both ingredients normalize capillary permeability and have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, strengthening weakened veins in the legs and improving painful venous circulation disorders.
Centella standardized extract was confirmed to reduce pain, heaviness (a heavy, dull feeling in the legs), stiffness, and nighttime cramps by more than 70% after one month of use in clinical trials, as well as improve swelling in the calves and ankles.
The main ingredient of the venous circulation improvement agent "DIO Line suspension powder," released by Dong-A Pharmaceutical last year, is diosmin. According to the company, this ingredient can help increase the tension of weakened blood vessel walls and inhibit inflammatory responses, thereby reducing pain and swelling. It is effective in improving and alleviating symptoms such as leg pain, swelling, and heaviness caused by venous insufficiency and post-phlebitic syndrome.
Pharmaceutical companies primarily produce venous circulation improvement agents using herbal ingredients because it has been confirmed that these ingredients improve symptoms, but also because they are suitable for long-term use in terms of safety. An industry representative noted, "Venous circulation disorders are chronic conditions that often require long-term medication, and herbal ingredients tend to have relatively low hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, making them favorable for long-term use."
According to the medical community, venous circulation improvement agents are used for various purposes, including improving lymphatic swelling in cancer patients, treating hemorrhoids, and reducing swelling after plastic surgery. A representative from Daewon Pharmaceutical noted that "In the case of Newvein, although it is an over-the-counter medication, there are actual prescriptions being made in some university hospitals for the purpose of improving lymphatic swelling in cancer patients."
Experts say that in cases where symptoms of lower limb varicose veins are not severe, lifestyle changes can lead to improvement. It is advisable to avoid tight clothing or high-heeled shoes that can disrupt blood circulation. Refraining from standing or sitting for long periods of time is also recommended; if one must maintain these positions due to job requirements, frequent stretching is encouraged.
Since symptoms tend to worsen in the evening, elevating the legs on a cushion at least 15 cm high and taking ample rest when returning home can also be helpful. Wearing medical compression stockings is another option, as they gradually increase pressure from the ankle to the groin (inguinal region), aiding venous circulation.
Jeon Heung-man, a professor at Korea University Anam Hospital's transplant vascular surgery department, stated, "In most cases of lower limb varicose veins, improvement can be expected initially through lifestyle changes rather than surgical treatment. However, in severe cases, it can lead to deep vein thrombosis, making proper diagnosis and treatment important."