Orthovisc
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.
What is Orthovisc (hyaluronan)?
What is Orthovisc (hyaluronan) used for?
- Pain due to osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee
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.
Drug facts
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%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Redness at the injection site
- Swelling or stiffness at the injection site
The following Orthovisc (hyaluronan) 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 Orthovisc (hyaluronan)
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
Cons
- Not studied in children
- Must be given by a healthcare professional
- Not a first-choice treatment for OA
Pharmacist tips for Orthovisc (hyaluronan)
- 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.
Common questions about Orthovisc
No, Orthovisc 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.
A study looked at how well Orthovisc worked to ease pain in people with OA. About 8 weeks after the initial injections, people who received Orthovisc 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 works.
Research suggests that the effects from each Orthovisc 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.
Orthovisc is injected directly into the knee joint by a trained healthcare professional. It's typically given once a week for 3 to 4 weeks.
Injection site reactions, such as pain and swelling, should go away within a few days after getting a Orthovisc injection. If your symptoms seem severe or aren't getting better after a few days, contact your prescriber.
No, Orthovisc 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 is made from bacterial cells instead, and not with animal products.
Both Orthovisc 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.
Weight gain wasn't a side effect reported by people taking Orthovisc during clinical studies. If you have concerns about your weight, contact your primary care provider.
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Orthovisc (hyaluronan) dosage
Syringe| Dosage | Quantity | Price as low as | Price per unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2ml of 15mg/ml | 3 syringes | $1,382.89 | $460.96 |
Typical dosage 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 between Orthovisc (hyaluronan) 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 Orthovisc (hyaluronan) cost?
$1,382.89
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
What are alternatives to Orthovisc (hyaluronan)?
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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