Is diosmin the same as Daflon?

No, Daflon 500 mg is a micronized purified flavonoid fraction consisting of 450 mg of diosmin and 50 mg of hesperidin per tablet, which has been micronized to ensure better gastrointestinal absorption.

Diosmin (3′,5,7-trihydroxy-4′-methoxyflavone-7-rhamnoglucoside) is extracted from plants (rutaceae) or obtained by synthesis (as another bioflavonoid, hidrosmin). The half-life of diosmin is 8 to 12 hours, with its elimination renal (65%) and biliary (35%). It is commonly used for treating chronic venous diseases. Recent data has indicated that diosmin has several pharmacological activities, including antiinflammation and antioxidation [1].

Diosmin is most widely used to treat blood vessel disorders, such as hemorrhoids and chronic venous insufficiency (CVI). Hemorrhoids are swollen veins located near the anus, while CVI refers to swollen, blocked veins in the legs. People may also take diosmin for other blood vessel disorders, including varicose veins, blood clots, retinal hemorrhage (bleeding in the retina of the eye), venous leg ulcers, and venous stasis (slow blood flow in the legs). Research suggests that this compound may reduce inflammation in the veins and thus improve blood flow.

A randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial was performed to study the pharmacodynamic and clinical activities of Daflon 500 mg,* compared with a nonmicronized diosmin[2]. Ninety patients with chronic venous insufficiency of the lower limbs, stabilized for one year, entered the study. They received either two tablets of Daflon 500 mg or an equivalent dose of nonmicronized diosmin in two divided doses each day for two months. Statistically significant changes were obtained in both groups of patients in comparison with baseline values. However, the improvements in all clinical symptoms and plethysmographic parameters (maximum increase of venous volume at 60 mmHg and total time for emptying) were significantly better with Daflon 500 mg than with nonmicronized diosmin. The clinical and laboratory acceptability was similar in both groups. However, the percentage of satisfied patients was 95% in the Daflon 500 mg group versus 80% in the nonmicronized diosmin group (p < 0.01). In conclusion, the pharmacodynamic and clinical activities of Daflon 500 mg are superior to those of an equivalent dose of nonmicronized diosmin and demonstrate the therapeutic advantage of a micronized formulation in treating chronic venous insufficiency.

References

[1] Ramelet, A. “14 – Venoactive Drugs.”Sclerotherapy (Sixth Edition) (2017): 426-434.

[2] Amato, C. “Advantage of a micronized flavonoidic fraction (Daflon 500 mg) in comparison with a nonmicronized diosmin.” Angiology 45 6 Pt 2 (1994): 531–6.