Hyalgan
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.
What is Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate)?
What is Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) used for?
- Pain due to osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee
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.
Drug facts
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%)
Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) 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
The following Hyalgan (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 Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate)
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
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 for Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate)
- 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.
Common questions about 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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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.
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.
Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) dosage
Typical dosage 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 between Hyalgan (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 Hyalgan (sodium hyaluronate) cost?
$156.87
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
What are alternatives to Hyalgan (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:
