Dosing & Uses
Dosage Forms & Strengths
intra-articular injection
- 8.4mg/mL; 16.8mg/2mL syringe (Gelsyn-3)
- 10mg/mL; 20mg/2mL syringe (Euflexxa, Hyalgan, Triluron)
- 10mg/mL; 25mg/2.5mL syringe (Supartz, TriVisc)
- 20mg/mL; 60mg/3mL syringe (Durolane)
intraocular injection solution
- 1%; 10mg/mL (Healon)
- 1.2%; 12mg/mL (Amvisc)
- 1.4%; 14mg/mL (Healon GV)
- 1.6%; 16mg/mL (Amvisc Plus)
- 2.3%; 23mg/mL (Healon5)
Osteoarthritis of Knee
Indicated for treatment of pain in osteoarthritis of the knee
Administer by intra-articular injection into the affected knee(s)
Dose per knee
- Durolane: Inject 60 mg (3 mL) as a one-time single dose
- Euflexxa or Triluron: Inject 20 mg (2 mL) qWeek for 3 weeks
- Gelysin-3: Inject 16.8 mg (2 mL) qWeek for 3 weeks
- Hyalgan: Inject 20 mg (2 mL) qWeek for 3-5 weeks
- Supartz: Inject 25 mg (2.5 mL) qWeek for 5 weeks
- TriVisc: Inject 25 mg (2.5 mL) qWeek for 3 weeks
Dosing considerations
- Concomitant use of disinfectants containing quaternary ammonium salts (eg, benzalkonium chloride) for skin preparation can precipitate in presence of hyaluronic acid
- Use strict aseptic injection technique
- Inject the full contents of single syringe into 1 knee only; if treatment is bilateral, a separate syringe should be used for each knee
Ophthalmic Viscoelastic Devices (OVDs)
Surgical aid to protect corneal endothelium during anterior segment and vitreous procedures (eg, cataract extraction, intraocular lens implantation, corneal transplant, glaucoma filtration, retinal attachment surgery)
Amvisc, Amvisc Plus, Healon, Healon GV, Healon5: Inject sufficient amount slowly (using cannula or needle) into anterior chamber or vitreous cavity of eye; some procedures/products require removal of the sodium hyaluronate following surgical completion
Safety and efficacy not established
Adverse Effects
>10%
Intradermal Injection
- Erythema (75-93%)
- Swelling (91-03%)
- Tenderness (61-92%)
- Lumps/bumps (56-83$)
- Discoloration (33-78%)
- Pruritus (25-36%)
1-10%
Increased blood pressure (4%)
Fatigue (1%)
Pain at injection site (intra-articular) (3%)
Nausea (<2%)
Infection (1%)
Tendonitis (6%)
Limb pain (2%)
Parasthesia (1%)
Frequency Not Defined
Intra-articular injection
- Arthralgia
- Headache
- Injection site pain
- Anaphylactoid reaction
Intraocular administration
- Increased IOP
- Keratitis
- Cystoid macular edema
- Conjunctival hemorrhage
Warnings
Contraindications
Intra-articular use
- Hypersensitivity to hyaluronate preparations, avian-derived products (eg, eggs, feathers, poultry), gram-positive bacterial proteins
- Do not inject in knees with infection or skin diseases in area of injection site or joint
Ophthalmic use
- No known contraindications
Cautions
Intra-articular use
- Pain relief may not be evident until after 3rd injection
- If infections or skin diseases present in the area of injection site may develop septic arthritis
- Not for use concomitantly with disinfectants containing quaternary ammonium salts for skin preparation; hyaluronic acid can precipitate in their presence
- Anaphylactoid and allergic reactions reported with this product
- Transient increases in inflammation in the injected knee following injection in some patients with inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis or gouty arthritis reported
- Patients should be carefully examined prior to administration to determine signs of acute inflammation; physician should evaluate whether treatment should be initiated when objective signs of inflammation are present
- Effectiveness of single treatment cycle of less than 3 injections not established
- Safety and effectiveness of use in joints other than knee not established
- Safety and effectiveness of use of this product concomitantly with other intra-articular injectables not established
- Use caution when injecting product into patients who are allergic to avian proteins, feathers, and egg products
- As with any invasive joint procedure, recommended that patient avoid any strenuous activities or prolonged (eg, more than 1 hour) weight-bearing activities such as jogging or tennis within 48 hours following the intra-articular injection
Ophthalmic use
- Use only if solution is clear
- Monitor intraocular pressure
- Tell all health care providers about (hyaluronate and derivatives injection (eye)), including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists
- Inform doctor if pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding; discuss with doctor about benefits and risks for patient and the baby
Pregnancy & Lactation
Pregnancy
Teratogenic Effects- Reproductive toxicity studies, including multigeneration studies, performed in rats and rabbits at doses up to 11 times the anticipated human dose (1.43 mg/kg per treatment cycle) have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to experimental animal fetus due to intra-articular injections of this drug
Animal reproduction studies are not always predictive of human response; safety and effectiveness of this drug have not been established in pregnant women
Lactation
It is not known if this drug is excreted in human milk; safety and effectiveness have not been established in lactating women
Pregnancy Categories
A: Generally acceptable. Controlled studies in pregnant women show no evidence of fetal risk.
B: May be acceptable. Either animal studies show no risk but human studies not available or animal studies showed minor risks and human studies done and showed no risk. C: Use with caution if benefits outweigh risks. Animal studies show risk and human studies not available or neither animal nor human studies done. D: Use in LIFE-THREATENING emergencies when no safer drug available. Positive evidence of human fetal risk. X: Do not use in pregnancy. Risks involved outweigh potential benefits. Safer alternatives exist. NA: Information not available.Pharmacology
Mechanism of Action
Sodium hyaluronate and its derivatives form a viscoelastic solution in water suitable for aqueous and vitreous humor in ophthalmic surgery; works as a lubricant, which plays an important role in managing interactions between adjacent tissues
Protects sking against friction and abrassion in the management of wounds and ulcers
Pharmacokinetics
Distribution: Slow (intravitreous injection)
Excretion: Canal of Schlemm (ophthalmic)
Administration
Administration
Provide patients with a copy of Patient Information prior to use
Strict aseptic administration technique must be followed to avoid infections in the injection site
Remove joint effusion, if present, before injecting this product
The vial/syringe is intended for single use; contents of the vial must be used immediately once the container has been opened; discard any unused drug
Storage
Do not use if package is opened or damaged
Store in original packaging (protected from light) below 77º F
Images
| BRAND | FORM. | UNIT PRICE | PILL IMAGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyalgan intra-articular - | 10 mg/mL solution |  | |
| EUFLEXXA intra-articular - | 10 mg/mL(mw 2.4 -3.6 million) solution |  | |
| GenVisc 850 intra-articular - | 10 mg/mL solution |  | |
| ORTHOVISC intra-articular - | 30 mg/2 mL solution |  | |
| Gelsyn-3 intra-articular - | 16.8 mg/2 mL solution |  |
Copyright © 2010 First DataBank, Inc.
Patient Handout
sodium hyaluronate intra-articular
HYALURONATE - INJECTION
(HYE-a-loo-RON-ate)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Hyalgan, Synvisc
USES: This medication is used to treat knee pain in patients with joint inflammation (osteoarthritis). It is usually used in patients who have not responded to other treatments such as acetaminophen, exercise, or physical therapy. Hyaluronate (also known as hyaluronan) is similar to a substance that occurs naturally in the joints. It may work by acting as a lubricant and shock absorber in the joint, helping the knee to move smoothly, thereby lessening pain.
HOW TO USE: Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your health care professional before you start using hyaluronate and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.This medication is given by injection into the affected joint by a health care professional. It is given as directed by your doctor, usually once a week. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Extra fluid may need to be removed from the joint before the medication is injected.Skin disinfectants that contain ammonium salts (such as benzalkonium chloride) should not be used to prepare the injection site. Hyaluronate should not be injected into a vein or artery because increased side effects may occur.After receiving an injection of hyaluronate, you should avoid any activities that put stress on your knee (such as jogging, tennis, heavy lifting, standing on your feet for more than an hour) for 48 hours. Also, after the injection, you may experience increased pain and swelling in the knee at first. If the pain or swelling continues or worsens, talk to your doctor promptly.It is important to have this medication injected on schedule. It may take up to 3 injections before the full benefits of this medication occur.Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.
SIDE EFFECTS: See also How to Use section.Pain, swelling, redness/warmth/bruising at the injection site, or headache may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: back pain, severe headache, fast/pounding heartbeat, fever, tingling skin.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
PRECAUTIONS: Before using hyaluronate, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. For some brands, also tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to bird proteins, feathers, or egg products. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as latex found in the rubber syringe cap of some brands), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: knee joint infections, skin infections/problems in the area around the injection site, circulation problems in the legs.Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
OVERDOSE: If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.
NOTES: Non-drug treatments for osteoarthritis include exercising, doing physical therapy, losing weight, having extra fluid removed from the knee, and avoiding activities that cause pain in your knee.
MISSED DOSE: It is important to get each dose of this medication as scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for a new dosing schedule.
STORAGE: Not applicable. This medication is given in a clinic and will not be stored at home.
Information last revised August 2023. Copyright(c) 2023 First Databank, Inc.
IMPORTANT: HOW TO USE THIS INFORMATION: This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.
Formulary
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