What is Daflon, How Does It Work, and What is the Dosage?
Daflon is a micronized purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) containing 90% diosmin and 10% hesperidin, used primarily for treating chronic venous insufficiency and hemorrhoids at a standard dose of 1000 mg daily (two 500 mg tablets). 1
Composition and Formulation
- Each Daflon 500 mg tablet contains micronized purified flavonoid fraction with 450 mg diosmin and 50 mg hesperidin 2, 3
- The micronization process reduces particle size to <2 micrometers (mean 1.79 micrometers), which significantly enhances absorption compared to non-micronized formulations 2, 4
- Micronized diosmin shows 57.9% absorption versus only 32.7% for non-micronized forms, representing a statistically significant improvement (p=0.0004) 4
Mechanism of Action
Daflon works through three primary pathways:
- Venous tone enhancement: Increases venous wall tone and reduces venous distension, addressing the mechanical dysfunction in chronic venous disease 3, 5
- Lymphatic drainage improvement: Enhances lymphatic flow velocity, reducing fluid accumulation and edema 6, 5
- Microcirculatory protection: Reduces capillary hyperpermeability by inhibiting inflammatory processes, normalizing prostaglandin synthesis, decreasing free radical production, and blocking leukocyte activation and migration 3, 5
Standard Dosing Regimens
For Chronic Venous Insufficiency and Edema:
- Standard maintenance dose: 1000 mg daily (two 500 mg tablets) 1, 2
- This dosing has been validated in multiple randomized controlled trials showing significant reduction in ankle/calf circumference and symptom improvement over 2-6 months 2, 5
For Acute Hemorrhoids (Grade 1-2):
- Loading phase: 3 tablets (1500 mg) twice daily for 4 days 2
- Maintenance phase: 2 tablets (1000 mg) twice daily for 3 days 2
For Chronic (Recurrent) Hemorrhoids:
- Standard dose: 2 tablets (1000 mg) daily for 60-83 days 2
For Venous Leg Ulcers:
- Standard dose: 1000 mg daily (two 500 mg tablets) in addition to standard compression and local wound management for 2-6 months 2, 5
Clinical Efficacy Evidence
- In chronic venous insufficiency, Daflon significantly decreased ankle/calf circumference and improved plethysmographic parameters compared to placebo in randomized, double-blind, 2-month studies 2
- For venous ulcers ≤10 cm diameter, significantly more ulcers healed completely with Daflon plus standard management versus standard management alone over 2-6 months 2, 5
- In acute internal hemorrhoids, Daflon improved duration and intensity of symptoms compared to placebo in controlled trials 2
Safety Profile
- Daflon demonstrates tolerability similar to placebo in clinical trials 2, 6
- Most frequently reported adverse events are gastrointestinal (mild nausea, dyspepsia) and autonomic in nature 2
- Toxicology studies showed no substance-related alterations in acute, subacute, or chronic toxicity testing, and no concerns regarding mutagenicity, fertility, or embryotoxicity 6
Clinical Positioning
- First-line treatment for edema and symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency at any disease stage 2, 3
- Can be used as monotherapy in early disease or combined with compression therapy, sclerotherapy, or surgery in advanced stages 2, 5
- Serves as an alternative when surgery is not indicated or feasible 2, 3