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GenVisc 850

sodium hyaluronate
Used for Osteoarthritis
Used for Osteoarthritis

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.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
reviewer
Connie Zheng, PharmD
Last reviewed on November 5, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesReferencesPricesMedicare
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What is GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate)?

What is GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) used for?

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.

Are you looking for information on Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) or Supartz FX (sodium hyaluronate) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsGenVisc 850
Drug ClassViscoelastic
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusNo lower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the 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

Source: Prescribing Information

The following 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:

Less common

Blue color or flushing or redness of skin

cough

difficulty in swallowing

dizziness or feeling faint (severe)

fever

redness or pain at place of injection

skin rash, hives, and/or itching

stuffy nose

swelling of eyelids, face, or lips

tightness in chest, troubled breathing, and/or wheezing

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:

More common

Diarrhea

headache

itching of the skin

large, nonelevated blue or purplish patches in the skin

loss of appetite

nausea and/or vomiting

stomach pain

swelling of the knee

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.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate)

thumbs-up

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

thumbs-down

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

Pharmacist tips for GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate)

pharmacist

  • 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.

          faqs

          Frequently asked questions about GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate)

          How many injections is GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate)?
          Ask your healthcare professional how many GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) injections you should receive. GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) 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.
          How well does GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) work?
          Studies looked at how well GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) 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 (sodium hyaluronate) worked similarly well to Supartz (sodium hyaluronate) at easing pain, and better than placebo.
          Is GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) a steroid?
          No, GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) 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.
          Is GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) a rooster comb injection?
          No, GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) 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 (sodium hyaluronate) is made from bacterial cells instead, and not with animal products.
          Does GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) injection hurt?
          Injections like GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) 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.
          Does GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) cause weight gain?
          Weight gain wasn't a side effect reported by people taking GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) during clinical studies. If you have concerns about your weight, contact your primary care provider.
          How long does it take for GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) to work?
          You might notice less pain as soon as 1 week after getting a GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) injection. However, most people taking GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) in studies experienced pain relief after the third injection.
          How long does GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) last?
          After getting five injections of GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate), 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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          dosage

          GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) dosage forms

          Typical dosing 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

          Interactions between GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) and other drugs

          GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

          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.

          drug-cost

          How much does GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) cost?

          To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
          GenVisc 850 (brand)
          GoodRx lowest price

          $1998.41

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          contraindications-icon

          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

          alternatives

          What are alternatives to GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate)?

          There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
          GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate)
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          $1998.41 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
          Euflexxa (sodium hyaluronate)
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          Triamcinolone injection (Kenalog)
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          References

          Best studies we found

          Altman, R. D. (2000). Intra-articular sodium hyaluronate in osteoarthritis of the knee. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism.

          American College of Rheumatology. (n.d.). Osteoarthritis guideline.

          Doros, G., et al. (2016). A method for establishing class III medical device equivalence: Sodium hyaluronate (GenVisc 850) for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Medical Devices.

          View All References (5)

          Foran, J. R. H. (2021). Viscosupplementation treatment for knee arthritis. OrthoInfo. 

          McArthur, B. A., et al. (2012). Long term safety, efficacy, and patient acceptability of hyaluronic acid injection in patients with painful osteoarthritis of the knee. Patient Preference and Adherence.

          OrthogenRx, Inc. (n.d.). GenVisc® 850 (sodium hyaluronate) full prescribing information.

          OrthogenRx, Inc. (n.d.). GenVisc® 850 (sodium hyaluronate) full prescribing information.

          Peck, J., et al. (2021). A comprehensive review of viscosupplementation in osteoarthritis of the knee. Orthopedic Reviews.

          GoodRx Health has strict sourcing policies and relies on primary sources such as medical organizations, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and peer-reviewed scientific journals. Learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate, thorough, and unbiased by reading our editorial guidelines.
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