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Orthovisc Coupon - Orthovisc 2ml of 15mg/ml syringe

Orthovisc

hyaluronan
Used for Osteoarthritis
Used for Osteoarthritis

Orthovisc (hyaluronan) is a knee injection that helps ease pain from osteoarthritis (OA) in adults who continue to have pain despite having tried certain treatments, such as exercises and physical therapy. Orthovisc (hyaluronan) is a viscosupplement, or type of knee joint gel, that helps lubricate the knee joint. It's injected by a healthcare professional directly into the knee joint once a week for 3 or 4 weeks. Temporary joint pain and injection site reactions (e.g., redness, pain, swelling) are some potential side effects.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Kristianne Hannemann, PharmD
reviewer
Connie Zheng, PharmD
Last reviewed on November 5, 2024
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsDosageInteractionsCostContraindicationsAlternativesLatest newsImagesReferencesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Orthovisc (hyaluronan)?

What is Orthovisc (hyaluronan) used for?

How Orthovisc (hyaluronan) works

Orthovisc (hyaluronan) is a viscosupplement. It's similar to hyaluronic acid, a substance that's naturally found in the connective tissues in your body. When Orthovisc (hyaluronan) 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 Monovisc (high molecular weight hyaluronic acid) or GenVisc 850 (sodium hyaluronate) instead?

Drug Facts

Common BrandsOrthovisc
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 Orthovisc (hyaluronan)?

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 (13%)
  • Pain at the injection site (3%)

Other Side Effects

  • Redness at the injection site
  • Swelling or stiffness at the injection site

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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Difficulty with moving

muscle pain or stiffness

pain in the joints

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:

Less common

Bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of the skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site

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 Orthovisc (hyaluronan)

thumbs-up

Pros

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

thumbs-down

Cons

Not studied in children

Must be given by a healthcare professional

Not a first-choice treatment for OA

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Orthovisc (hyaluronan)

pharmacist

  • Mark your appointments to get your Orthovisc (hyaluronan) injections on your calendar so you don't miss any doses. This medication works best if you get all of your injections.

    • Your prescriber might have you avoid physical activity after receiving Orthovisc (hyaluronan). In general, take things easy for the first 48 hours right after your injection. You should avoid strenuous activities such as running, jumping, swimming, playing tennis, 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 Orthovisc (hyaluronan) was injected. This is typically mild and should go away after 1 to 3 days. 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 Orthovisc (hyaluronan). There isn't enough information to know if it's safe for you or your baby.

          faqs

          Frequently asked questions about Orthovisc (hyaluronan)

          Is Orthovisc (hyaluronan) a steroid?
          No, Orthovisc (hyaluronan) 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.
          How well does Orthovisc (hyaluronan) work?
          A study looked at how well Orthovisc (hyaluronan) worked to ease pain in people with OA. About 8 weeks after the initial injections, people who received Orthovisc (hyaluronan) reported more improvement in their pain compared with those who received placebo. Talk with your healthcare team if you have more questions about how well Orthovisc (hyaluronan) works.
          How long do Orthovisc (hyaluronan) injections last?
          Research suggests that the effects from each Orthovisc (hyaluronan) treatment cycle (with 3 or 4 weekly injections) might last up to 6 months. But everyone responds differently to the medication, so ask your prescriber about what you might expect after treatment.
          How is Orthovisc (hyaluronan) administered?
          Orthovisc (hyaluronan) is injected directly into the knee joint by a trained healthcare professional. It's typically given once a week for 3 to 4 weeks.
          How long do Orthovisc (hyaluronan) side effects last?
          Injection site reactions, such as pain and swelling, should go away within a few days after getting a Orthovisc (hyaluronan) injection. If your symptoms seem severe or aren't getting better after a few days, contact your prescriber.
          Is Orthovisc (hyaluronan) a rooster comb injection?
          No, Orthovisc (hyaluronan) 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 Orthovisc (hyaluronan) is made from bacterial cells instead, and not with animal products.
          What's the difference between Orthovisc (hyaluronan) and Synvisc?
          Both Orthovisc (hyaluronan) and Synvisc (hylan G-F 20) are knee injections used to reduce pain due to OA. One difference is that one cycle of Orthovisc is made up of 3 or 4 weekly injections, while Synvisc is made up of 3 injections. Another difference is that Synvisc is made using rooster combs, while Orthovisc is made from bacteria. There are also some differences in the chemical consistency between Orthovisc and Synvisc. Talk to your healthcare professional to find out additional differences between these knee injections.
          Does Orthovisc (hyaluronan) cause weight gain?
          Weight gain wasn't a side effect reported by people taking Orthovisc (hyaluronan) during clinical studies. If you have concerns about your weight, contact your primary care provider.
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          dosage

          Orthovisc (hyaluronan) dosage forms

          Typical dosing for Orthovisc (hyaluronan)

          Each Orthovisc injection contains 30 mg of hyaluronan.

          The typical dose is one injection given into the knee joint by a healthcare professional (HCP) once a week for 3-4 weeks.

          interactions

          Interactions between Orthovisc (hyaluronan) and other drugs

          Orthovisc (hyaluronan) 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 Orthovisc (hyaluronan). 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 Orthovisc (hyaluronan) cost?

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          Orthovisc (brand)
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          contraindications-icon

          Orthovisc (hyaluronan) 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 Orthovisc (hyaluronan) 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

          alternatives

          What are alternatives to Orthovisc (hyaluronan)?

          There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Orthovisc (hyaluronan). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
          Orthovisc (hyaluronan)
          Used for:
          $1382.89 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
          Triamcinolone injection (Kenalog)
          Used for:
          $5.03 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
          Euflexxa (sodium hyaluronate)
          Used for:
          $1044.86 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
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          References

          Best studies we found

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

          Anika Therapeutics, Inc. (2023). Instructions for use: Orthovisc®.

          Brandt, K. D., et al. (2001). Efficacy and safety of intraarticular sodium hyaluronate in knee osteoarthritis. ORTHOVISC study group. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research.

          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.

          Neustadt, D., et al. (2005). Clinical effects of intraarticular injection of high molecular weight hyaluronan (Orthovisc®) in osteoarthritis of the knee: A randomized, controlled, multicenter trial. The Journal of Rheumatology.

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

          Yoshioka, K., et al. (2019). Biocompatibility study of different hyaluronan products for intra-articular treatment of knee osteoarthritis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders.

          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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