Hyalgan L/L (Injection)

Hyaluronic acid injection is used to treat knee pain from osteoarthritis (OA) in patients who have already tried pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen) and other treatments that did not work well.

Hyaluronic acid is similar to a substance that is naturally found in the joints. It acts like a lubricant and shock absorber in the joints, helping them to function properly.

This medicine should only be given by your doctor or under their direct supervision.

Your doctor will closely monitor your progress while you are receiving this medicine. This will help your doctor see if the medicine is effective and to determine if you should continue receiving it.

Do not strain your knee joint for two days after receiving this medicine. Avoid activities such as jogging, soccer, tennis, heavy lifting, or standing for a long time.

You may experience temporary pain or swelling in the knee joint after receiving the hyaluronic acid injection. Call your doctor if the pain or swelling in the knee lasts or gets worse after receiving this medicine.

Do not use this medicine with disinfectants that contain quaternary ammonium salts (e.g., benzalkonium chloride). This can stop the hyaluronic acid injection from working properly.

In deciding to use this medicine, you and your doctor need to consider the risks and benefits. Here are important points to think about:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know if you have any other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

There have not been appropriate studies to determine how age affects the use of hyaluronic acid injection in children. Safety and effectiveness have not been established.

Geriatric

There is no information on how age affects the use of hyaluronic acid injection in older patients.

Breast Feeding

There are no good studies to determine the risk to infants when this medicine is used during breastfeeding. Consider the possible benefits and risks before using this medicine while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be taken together at all, while others can be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these cases, your doctor may adjust the dose or take other precautions. Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines.

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken around the time of eating or with certain foods due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk with your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may affect your use of this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Allergy to bacterial proteins, gram positive or
• Allergy to hyaluronate preparations or
• Skin or knee joint infections or other issues at the injection site—This medicine should not be given to patients with these conditions.

• Joint effusion (too much fluid in the knees)—Patients with this condition need to be treated first before receiving this medicine.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may occur, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Difficulty with moving
• Muscle pain or stiffness
• Pain in the joints

Less common

• Swelling or redness in the joints

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Durolane
• Euflexxa
• Gel-One
• Hyalgan
• Hyalgan L/L
• Monovisc
• Orthovisc
• Supartz
• Supartz FX

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution
• Gel/Jelly

Therapeutic Class: Cartilaginous Defect Repair Agent

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given as a shot into your knee joint. It may take more than one injection for the pain to go away.

You will receive a series of shots of this medicine one week apart for a total of three or four injections.