Orthovisc

Generic name: Hyaluronan
Drug class: Viscosupplementation agents

Usage of Orthovisc

Orthovisc is similar to the fluid that surrounds the joints in your body. This fluid acts as a lubricant and shock absorber for the joints.

Orthovisc is used to treat knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Orthovisc is usually given after other arthritis medications have been tried without success.

Orthovisc side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Orthovisc: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

bleeding;

increased knee pain; or

signs of infection (warmth, swelling, redness) around your knee.

Common Orthovisc side effects may include:

joint pain, stiffness, or swelling;

itching, numbness, or tingling;

headache, dizziness;

back pain;

swelling, pain, redness, or mild discomfort where the medicine was injected.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Orthovisc

You should not be treated with Orthovisc if you are allergic to hyaluronan, or if you have:

an allergy to gram positive bacteria proteins (ask your doctor if you are not sure);

a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia; or

an infection in your knee or in the skin around your knee.

It is not known whether Orthovisc will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

It is not known whether hyaluronan passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Orthovisc is not approved for use by anyone younger than 21 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Orthovisc

Usual Adult Dose for Osteoarthritis:

2 mL intraarticularly into the knee once a week for 3 to 4 weeks. If joint effusion is present, it should be removed before injection. A new syringe should be used for the injection.

Warnings

You should not receive Orthovisc if are allergic to hyaluronate formulations or gram positive bacterial proteins, or have an infection in your knee or in the skin around your knee.

What other drugs will affect Orthovisc

Other drugs may interact with hyaluronan, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and any medicine you start or stop using.

Disclaimer

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