Hymovis
Hymovis is an injectable viscosupplement (or viscoelastic) that's given to relieve pain from osteoarthritis in the knee in adults. It's typically given when other pain-relieving therapies haven't worked well enough. Hymovis is given as two injections into your knee; each injection is separated by a week. Side effects aren't common but can include joint pain and stiffness.
What is Hymovis?
What is Hymovis used for?
- Pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee
How Hymovis works
Hymovis is a viscosupplement, also known as a viscoelastic. It's a type of hyaluronic acid (or hyaluronan), which is a natural substance that's found in the connective tissues in your body. When Hymovis is injected into the knee, it provides structural support and it lubricates your knee joint. This helps lower pain from osteoarthritis.
Drug facts
Side effects of Hymovis
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
- Muscle, bone, and connective tissue problems (5%)
- Joint pain (4%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Joint swelling
- Joint stiffness
- Pain at the injection site
- Redness at the injection site
- Itchiness
Hymovis serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe allergic reaction: rash; trouble breathing; swelling of lips, tongue, or throat
The following Hymovis side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
Pros and cons of Hymovis
Pros
- Treatment consists of just two injections
- Pain relief can last for several months
Cons
- Must be given by a healthcare professional as an injection directly into the knee
- Not a first-choice treatment option for knee pain from osteoarthritis
- No lower-cost generic available; brand-name medication only
Pharmacist tips for Hymovis
- Mark your appointments on your calendar to get your Hymovis injections. It's important not to miss your injections to help the medication work as best as possible for you.
- It's possible to have pain and swelling in your knee(s) after you get your Hymovis injection. Avoid activities that put extra stress on your knee(s), like tennis, jogging, or jumping, for at least 2 days after your Hymovis injection. Also avoid doing any physical activity for a long period of time (for example, more than 1 hour) for at least 2 days after your injection.
Common questions about Hymovis
Hymovis isn't the first-choice option for treating knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. It's typically considered when people don't get enough pain relief from other therapies. The American College of Rheumatology recommends that you first try therapies like physical therapy, exercises to strengthen the knee, NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Speak with a healthcare professional if you're still having arthritic knee pain that's bothersome and interfering with your daily activities despite these treatments. They can discuss with you about your next treatment options.
In a clinical study, people reported almost a 60% drop in knee pain while resting and almost a 50% drop in knee pain while moving when they were asked to score their pain 6 months after their Hymovis injections. Be sure to update your healthcare professional about how well Hymovis seems to have relieved your knee pain after your injections.
How quickly Hymovis works will vary from person to person depending on the severity of your arthritis. A clinical study showed that some people felt significant improvement in knee pain within 1 month after the injections but it could take up to 3 months to feel the most pain relief. Talk to your healthcare professional if you're concerned with how quickly or how well Hymovis is working to relieve your pain.
A clinical study showed that the pain-relieving effects of Hymovis can last for 6 months or longer for some people. Keep in mind that this can depend on the severity of your pain and whether you're using other pain medications. Also, each person can have a different experience with Hymovis. Speak with a healthcare professional if your pain returns after your Hymovis treatment.
Yes, it's generally safe to take other pain medications, like acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil), or anti-inflammatory products, after your Hymovis injection. These pain relievers aren't known to interact with Hymovis. Keep in mind that some of these other pain medications have their own risks, such as heart, kidney, liver problems. Before you use other pain medications with Hymovis, speak with your healthcare professional to make sure it's safe for you to do so.
There isn't enough information to know whether Hymovis is safe for you or your baby if you get injections while pregnant or breastfeeding. Talk to your healthcare professional about the risks and benefits of getting Hymovis injections while pregnant or breastfeeding.
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Risks and warnings for Hymovis
Hymovis 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 hyaluronic acid products | Allergy to Gram-positive bacterial proteins
Although rare, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction to Hymovis. These allergic reactions can include difficulty breathing; hives; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptom of anaphylaxis. Get medical help right away if you have an allergic reaction to Hymovis at any time during treatment.
Hymovis dosage
Typical dosage for Hymovis
The typical dose is two injections into the affected knee. Each injection is separated by 1 week. Your healthcare professional will decide whether you need additional injections.
Hymovis 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 Hymovis will not be safe for you to take.
- Current infection or skin problem in the injection area injection or knee joint
- Known allergy to hyaluronic acid products
- Known allergy to Gram-positive bacterial proteins
