Sodium Hyaluronate

Sodium Hyaluronate is a prescription medication used for relieving pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee or as a surgical aid to protect the eye during surgical procedures. 

• Sodium Hyaluronate is available under the following different brand names: Amvisc, Hyalgan, Amvisc Plus, Euflexxa, Healon, Healon GV, Healon5, Supartz, Gelsyn-3, Durolane, TriVisc, Triluron

Common side effects of Sodium Hyaluronate include:

• irritation at the injection site

Serious side effects of Sodium Hyaluronate include:

• hives,
• difficulty breathing,
• swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat,
• itching,
• red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever,
• wheezing,
• tightness in the chest or throat,
• trouble swallowing or talking,
• unusual hoarseness,
• change in eyesight,
• eye pain,
• very bad eye irritation, and
• temporary increase in intraocular pressure

Rare side effects of Sodium Hyaluronate include:

• none 

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors;
• Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
• Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; sudden dizziness, lightheartedness, or passing out.

This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems that may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Adult dosage

Intra-articular injection

• 8.4 mg /mL; 16.8 mg /2 mL syringe (Gelsyn-3)
• 10 mg /mL; 20 mg /2 mL syringe (Euflexxa, Hyalgan, Triluron)
• 10 mg /mL; 25 mg /2.5 mL syringe (Supartz, TriVisc)
• 20 mg /mL; 60 mg /3 mL syringe (Durolane)

Intraocular injection solution

• 1 %; 10 mg /mL (Healon)
• 1.2 %; 12 mg /mL (Amvisc)
• 1.4 %; 14 mg /mL (Healon GV)
• 1.6 %; 16 mg /mL (Amvisc Plus)
• 2.3 %; 23 mg /mL (Healon5)

Osteoarthritis of Knee

Adult dosage

Dose per knee

• Durolane: Inject 60 mg (3 mL) as a one-time single dose
• Euflexxa or Triluron: Inject 20 mg (2 mL) every week for 3 weeks
• Gelysin-3: Inject 16.8 mg (2 mL) every week for 3 weeks
• Hyalgan: Inject 20 mg (2 mL) every week for 3-5 weeks
• Supartz: Inject 25 mg (2.5 mL) every week for 5 weeks
• TriVisc: Inject 25 mg (2.5 mL) every week for 3 weeks

Ophthalmic Viscoelastic Devices (OVDs)

Adult dosage

• Amvisc, Amvisc Plus, Healon, Healon GV, Healon5: Inject a sufficient amount slowly (using cannula or needle) into the anterior chamber or vitreous cavity of the eye; some procedures/products require removal of the sodium Hyaluronate following surgical completion

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows: 

• See “Dosages”.

If your medical doctor is using this medicine to treat your pain, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Sodium Hyaluronate has no noted severe interactions with any other drugs.
• Sodium Hyaluronate has no noted serious interactions with any other drugs.
• Sodium Hyaluronate has no noted moderate interactions with any other drugs.
• Sodium Hyaluronate has no noted minor interactions with any other drugs.

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker for any drug interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all your products. Keep a list of all your medications with you and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions or concerns.

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 the area of the injection site or joint
• Ophthalmic use
• No known contraindications

Effects of drug abuse

• None

Short-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Sodium Hyaluronate?”

Long-Term Effects

• See “What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Sodium Hyaluronate?”

Cautions

Intra-articular use

• Transient increased inflammation in the injected knee may occur
• Avoid strenuous activity or prolonged (above 1 hr) weight-bearing activities (e.g., running, tennis) within 48 hr following injection
• Pain relief may not be evident until after 3rd injection
• Remove joint effusion, if present, before injection

Ophthalmic use

• Use only if the solution is clear
• Monitor intraocular pressure

Pregnancy and Lactation

Lactation

• Not known if excreted in breast milk; not recommended