Hyaluronic acid (Injection)

Hyaluronic acid injection is used to relieve knee pain caused by osteoarthritis (OA) in patients who have already tried pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen) and other treatments that were not effective.

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

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

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

Do not put stress on your knee joint for two days after getting this medicine. Avoid activities like jogging, soccer, tennis, heavy lifting, or standing for a long time.

You may experience temporary pain or swelling in the knee joint after receiving a hyaluronic acid injection. Call your doctor if the pain or swelling in your 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 may stop the hyaluronic acid injection from working properly.

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

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your health care professional know if you have other types of allergies, like to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

Studies have not been done 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 available on how age affects the use of hyaluronic acid injection in older patients.

Breast Feeding

There are not enough studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medicine while breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medicine while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

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

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with some medicines may also lead to interactions. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may affect how you can use this medicine. Make sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, 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 should be treated first before receiving this medicine.

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may happen, if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse right away if any of the following side effects happen:

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 happen that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body gets used to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you how to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or 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 happen in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your health care 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.