Monovisc
Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) is a viscosupplement that's injected into the knee joint to ease pain from osteoarthritis (OA) in adults. It's usually prescribed for people who continue to have pain despite having tried certain treatments, such as exercises and acetaminophen (Tylenol). Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) given as a single injection by a healthcare professional (HCP). Some potential side effects of this knee injection include joint pain, joint swelling, and injection site pain.
What is Monovisc (hyaluronic acid)?
What is Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) used for?
- Pain due to osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee
How Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) works
Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) is a viscosupplement. It's similar to hyaluronic acid, a substance that's naturally found in the connective tissues in your body. When Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) 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 Monovisc (hyaluronic acid)
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
- Joint pain (4%)
- Injection site pain (2%)
- Joint swelling (1%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Joint stiffness
- Pain in arms or legs
- Bruise
- Hard lump under the skin
The following Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) 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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Swelling or redness in the joints
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 Monovisc (hyaluronic acid)
Pros
- Given as only one injection
- Pain relief might last longer than corticosteroids
- Good option for people who've tried other treatments that didn't work well
- Not made with any animal products
Cons
- Not studied in people younger than 21 years old
- Must be given by a healthcare professional
- Not a first-choice treatment for OA
- Can cause temporary pain and swelling where it's injected
Pharmacist tips for Monovisc (hyaluronic acid)
- Your prescriber might have you avoid physical activity after receiving Monovisc (hyaluronic acid). 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 continue these physical activities again.
- You can expect to experience temporary pain and swelling in the knee where Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) was injected. This is typically mild and should go away after 1 to 3 days. But if it doesn't, contact your prescriber.
- There isn't enough information to know if Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) is safe for you or your baby. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your prescriber about the risks and benefits of receiving this knee injection.
Common questions about Monovisc (hyaluronic acid)
Injections like Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) can cause pain at the injection site. But it's typically mild and should go away 1 to 3 days after the injection. If you're concerned about pain, ask your healthcare professional about a numbing medication before getting your injection.
Everyone responds differently to treatment with Monovisc (hyaluronic acid). Clinical studies have shown that pain relief from Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) can last up to 6 months.
You might start noticing pain relief within 1 week of getting Monovisc (hyaluronic acid). But studies show that it can take several weeks to see the full pain-relieving effects.
The most common side effects reported by people who got Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) during studies are joint pain, joint swelling, and injection site pain. These side effects are usually temporary. But if they persist or seem severe, you should contact your care team.
No, Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) isn't a steroid. It contains hyaluronic acid, 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, Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) 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 combs, which also contains the same gel-like substance that's in our knee joints. But Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) is made from bacterial cells instead, and not with animal products.
Both Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) and Synvisc (hylan G-F 20) are knee injections used to reduce pain due to OA. Both injections are given as a single injection by a healthcare professional (HCP). But there are some differences in the chemical consistency between Monovisc and Synvisc One. In addition, Synvisc is made using rooster combs, while Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) is made from bacteria. Talk to your healthcare professional to find out additional differences between these knee injections.
Weight gain wasn't a side effect reported by people taking Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) during clinical studies. If you have concerns about your weight, contact your primary care provider.
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Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) dosage
Syringe| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4ml of 22mg/ml | 1 syringe | $1,488.00 | $1,488.00 |
Typical dosage for Monovisc (hyaluronic acid)
Each Monovisc injection contains 88 mg of hyaluronan.
- Adults age 21 years and older: The typical dose is one injection given into the knee joint by a healthcare professional.
Interactions between Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) 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 Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) cost?
$1,488.00
Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) 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 Monovisc (hyaluronic acid) will not be safe for you to take.
- Current infection or skin problems in area of injection
- Known allergy to hyaluronate products
- Known allergy to gram positive bacteria proteins
- Bleeding problems
What are alternatives to Monovisc (hyaluronic acid)?
This medication is used for many different conditions. Generally, it's used for autoimmune problems, conditions related to swelling, or cancer. Some examples include:
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