Polidocanol (Polyoxyethylene lauryl ether) is an alkyl polyethylene glycol ether of lauryl alcohol, which is a derivative of natural fatty or alkyl alcohols in natural mineral oil and is a hardener. Polidocanol can be used as a local anesthetic, but in combination with other anesthetic drugs there is a risk of enhancing the effects of the anesthetic drugs on the cardiovascular system.

Polidocanol (0.5%, 1%, and 2%) causes obviously more adhesions than tetracycline, whereas the effect of diluted polidocanol is similar to that of tetracycline in rats. The higher concentrations of polidocanol, of 0.5%, 1%, and 2% are more effective than either the diluted polidocanol or tetracycline against pleurodesis.[1]