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Hyalgan

sodium hyaluronate
Used for Osteoarthritis
Used for Osteoarthritis

Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) is a viscosupplement, a gel-like lubricant that's injected into the knee joint to ease pain from osteoarthritis (OA). It's prescribed for adults who haven't responded well to certain treatment options, like exercise and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) is injected into the knee joint by a healthcare professional once a week for 3 or 5 weeks. This medication can cause temporary injection site pain and joint swelling as side effects.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
reviewer
Connie Zheng, PharmD
Last reviewed on November 4, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate)?

What is Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) used for?

How Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) works

Hyalgan (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 Hyalgan (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 Euflexxa (sodium hyaluronate) or Supartz FX (sodium hyaluronate) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsHyalgan
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 Hyalgan (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

  • Stomach-related side effects (29%)
  • Injection site pain (23%)
  • Headache (18%)
  • Skin reaction, like bruising and rash (14%)
  • Joint pain and swelling (13%)
  • Itching at the injection site (7%)

Serious Side Effects

Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
  • Severe allergic reaction: hives, swelling in the face or throat, trouble breathing

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 Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate)

thumbs-up

Pros

Pain relief lasts up to 6 months

Good option if other treatments for OA pain didn't work well

Not known to interact with other pain medications

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Cons

Need to get 3 to 5 injections per treatment cycle

Must be given by a healthcare professional

Might not be the best option for people with an allergy to egg products

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate)

pharmacist

  • Mark your appointments to get your Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) injections on your calendar so you don't miss any doses.

    • Your prescriber might have you avoid physical activity after receiving Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) for the first 48 hours right after your injection. You shouldn't perform strenuous activities, such as running, jumping, or heavy lifting during this time. Also, don't stand 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 Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) was injected. This should go away, but if it doesn't or if it's interfering with your normal daily activities, contact your prescriber.

        • If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your prescriber about the risks and benefits of receiving Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate). There isn't enough information to know if it's safe for you or your baby.

          faqs

          Frequently asked questions about Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate)

          What's the difference between Synvisc and Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate)?
          Synvisc (hylan G-F 20) and Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) are both viscosupplements that are injected into the knee joint to treat pain due to OA. There are some differences in the chemical consistency of Synvisc and Hyalgan; a small study suggests some people might experience longer pain relief with Synvisc, but more research is needed in this area. Another difference is that one cycle of Hyalgan is made up of 3 to 5 weekly injections, whereas one cycle of Synvisc is made up of 3 weekly injections (and a single injection for Synvisc One). Follow up with your healthcare professional to learn about other differences between these knee injections.
          How long do Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) injections last?
          Study shows that a cycle of Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) (5 weekly injections) can provide pain relief for about 6 months. Keep in mind that everyone will respond differently to the treatment.
          Is Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) injection safe?
          Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) is generally safe when used as directed by a healthcare professional. However, you shouldn't receive Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) if you're allergic to hyaluronate. It's also not recommended for you to get this knee injection if you have a current infection or other skin problem near the injection site.
          Is Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) a rooster comb injection?
          Yes, Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) is made from rooster combs, the red comb-like structure on top of a rooster's head. Some knee injections that contain sodium hyaluronate, including Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate), are made using rooster combs because it contains the same gel-like substance that's in our knee joints.
          Is Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) a steroid?
          No, Hyalgan (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.
          Does Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) cause weight gain?
          Weight gain wasn't a side effect reported by people taking Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) during clinical studies. If you have concerns about your weight, contact your primary care provider.
          How often can you get Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) injections?
          Each cycle of Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) is made up of five weekly injections and should provide pain relief for up to 6 months. Talk with your healthcare professional about how often you should get repeat treatments with Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate). This will depend on things like your individual response to treatment and your insurance coverage.
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          What are the risks and warnings for Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate)?

          Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

          risk-warning

          Severe allergic reaction

          • Risk factors: Allergy to sodium hyaluronate, avian (bird) proteins, feathers, or egg products

            Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) can cause life-threatening allergic reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis). If you have a history of an allergic reaction to hyaluronate products, bird products, feathers, or egg products, you're at a higher risk of having a reaction to Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate). Make sure to tell your prescriber all of your allergies. If you experience rash, trouble breathing, or swelling in your lips, tongue, or throat, get medical help right away.

            dosage

            Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) dosage forms

            Typical dosing for Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate)

            Each Hyalgan injection contains 20 mg of sodium hyaluronate.

            Adults: The typical dose is one injection given into the knee joint by a healthcare professional (HCP) once a week for 3 or 5 weeks.

            interactions

            Interactions between Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) and other drugs

            Hyalgan (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 Hyalgan (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.

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            How much does Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) cost?

            To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
            Hyalgan (brand)
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            contraindications-icon

            Hyalgan (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 Hyalgan (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 Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate)?

            There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
            Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate)
            Used for:
            $446.81 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
            Triamcinolone injection (Kenalog)
            Used for:
            $5.03 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
            Euflexxa (sodium hyaluronate)
            Used for:
            $1092.56 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices

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            References

            Best studies we found

            Fidia Pharma USA Inc. (n.d.). Product information.

            Fidia Pharma USA Inc. (n.d.). Using Hyalgan®.

            Fidia Pharma USA Inc. (2017). Hyalgan® (sodium hyaluronate) [package insert].

            View All References (7)

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

            Frizziero, L., et al. (1998). Intra-articular hyaluronic acid in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: Clinical and morphological study. Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology.

            Genzyme Corporation. (2023). Synvisc® Hylan G-F 20.

            Genzyme Corporation. (2023). Synvisc-One® Hylan G-F 20.

            Grefsrud, T. (2005). Comparing the effectiveness of Hyalgan and Synvisc hyaluronic acid injections for treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Pacific University Oregon.

            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.

            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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