GenVisc 850
GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) is a viscosupplement. It's a gel-like lubricant that's injected into the knee joint to ease pain from osteoarthritis (OA) in adults. It's typically prescribed for people who still have pain after trying certain treatments, such as exercise and physical therapy. GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) is given as one injection per week for 3 or 5 weeks. Potential side effects include pain and bleeding around the injection site.
What is GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate)?
What is GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) used for?
- Pain due to osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee
How GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) works
GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) is a viscosupplement. It's similar to hyaluronic acid, a substance that's naturally found in the connective tissues in your body. When GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) is injected into the knee, it helps lubricate the knee joint so that you can move it smoothly. This can ease pain from osteoarthritis in the knee.
Drug facts
Side effects of GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Pain or bleeding at the injection site
- Allergic reaction
- Joint pain
- Feeling heavy
The following GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
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. Also, your health care professional may 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 or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
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.
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Pros and cons of GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate)
Pros
- Doesn't contain egg or avian proteins
- Might be a good option for people who didn't respond well to other treatments for OA pain
- Pain relief might last longer than corticosteroids
- Effects can last up to 30 weeks
Cons
- Might need up to 5 injections
- Not a first-choice treatment for OA
- Must be given by a healthcare professional
- Can cause temporary pain and swelling where it's injected
Pharmacist tips for GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate)
- Mark your appointments to get your GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) injections on your calendar so you don't miss any doses.
- Your prescriber might have you avoid physical activity after receiving GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate). In general, take things easy for the first 48 hours right after your injection. You should avoid strenuous activities such as running, jumping, playing tennis, biking or standing on your feet for more than 1 hour at a time. Ask your prescriber when you can resume major physical activities again.
- You can expect to experience temporary pain and swelling in the knee where GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) was injected. This should go away, but if it doesn't, contact your prescriber.
- If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your prescriber about the risks and benefits of receiving GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate). There isn't enough information to know if it's safe for you or your baby.
Common questions about Genvisc 850
Ask your healthcare professional how many Genvisc 850 injections you should receive. Genvisc 850 is FDA approved for 5 injections, but some people might benefit from only 3 injections. This means you might get 3 or 5 injections, depending on what your prescriber recommends for you.
Studies looked at how well Genvisc 850 worked at reducing knee pain from OA compared similar knee injection called Supartz (sodium hyaluronate) and placebo. Based on self-reports from people who participated in the studies, Genvisc 850 worked similarly well to Supartz (sodium hyaluronate) at easing pain, and better than placebo.
No, Genvisc 850 isn't a steroid. It contains sodium hyaluronate, which is a gel-like substance that helps lubricate the joints and helps absorb shock from movements. There are other knee injections used to treat osteoarthritis that do contain a steroid.
No, Genvisc 850 isn't made from rooster combs, the red comb-like structure on top of a rooster's head. Some knee injections that contain sodium hyaluronate are made using rooster comb, which also contains the same gel-like substance that's in our knee joints. But Genvisc 850 is made from bacterial cells instead, and not with animal products.
Injections like Genvisc 850 can cause temporary pain at the injection site. If you're worried about pain from the injection, talk to your prescriber about getting a numbing medication before the injection. This might help lessen the pain.
Weight gain wasn't a side effect reported by people taking Genvisc 850 during clinical studies. If you have concerns about your weight, contact your primary care provider.
You might notice less pain as soon as 1 week after getting a Genvisc 850 injection. However, most people taking Genvisc 850 in studies experienced pain relief after the third injection.
After getting five injections of Genvisc 850, you can expect the effects to last for up to 30 weeks, or about 7 months. But everyone responds differently to medications, so the effects might last shorter or longer for you.
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GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) dosage
Syringe| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5ml of 10mg/ml | 1 syringe | $389.29 | $389.29 |
Typical dosage for GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate)
Each GenVisc 850 injection contains 25 mg of sodium hyaluronate.
Adults (ages 21 years and older): The typical dose is one injection given into the knee joint by a healthcare professional once a week for 3 or 5 weeks.
Interactions between GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
How much does GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) cost?
$389.29
GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) will not be safe for you to take.
- Current infection or skin problems in area of injection
- Known allergy to hyaluronate products
What are alternatives to GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate)?
This medication is used for many different conditions. Generally, it's used for autoimmune problems, conditions related to swelling, or cancer. Some examples include: