The compound consists of the sodium salt of the micelle-forming sulfate ester of tetradecanol.

It is commonly used in the treatment of varicose and spider veins of the leg, during the procedure of sclerotherapy.

It is occasionally used for the treatment of stabilisation of joints that regularly dislocate, particularly in patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

[3] In the UK, Ireland, Italy, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, it is sold under the trade-name Fibro-Vein in concentrations of 0.2%, 0.5%, 1.0%, and 3%.

[4] Tetradecyl alcohol is treated with sulfur trioxide followed by neutralization of the resulting pyrosulfuric acid with sodium hydroxide.