Hyalgan Prescribing Information: Key Considerations

Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition, affects millions worldwide. In 2019 alone, approximately 528 million people grappled with this ailment—an alarming 113% increase since 1990. The knee is the most affected joint, impacting people’s ability to move freely. As aging populations and rising obesity rates persist, osteoarthritis remains a significant public health concern.

Hyalgan is a viscosupplementation agent expertly designed to alleviate knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, like the joint fluid that naturally lubricates and cushions our joints, Hyalgan steps in where other arthritis medications may fall short, offering hope to those who have tried alternative treatments but failed to achieve relief. 

This article will explore Hyalgan’s mechanism, dosing instructions, and potential side effects. 

Key Takeaways

• Hyalgan is indicated for treating knee osteoarthritis, providing symptomatic pain relief, and improving joint function.
• Contraindications to using Hyalgan include hypersensitivity to hyaluronate preparations, infections or skin diseases at the injection site, and knee joint or skin diseases.
• The recommended dosage for Hyalgan is 20mg once weekly for five intraarticular injections into the knee joint.
• Healthcare providers should ensure an aseptic technique during administration, use the supplied needle for injection, and, most importantly, avoid injecting into blood vessels or synovial tissue. These precautions ensure a secure and effective procedure.

FDA Indications for Hyalgan

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a condition in which the joint wears down. This causes pain and makes it hard for people to move their knees normally. For those who don’t get better with simple treatments, Hyalgan offers hope.

Doctors give Hyalgan as a shot inside the knee joint once a week for five weeks. This treatment can make the knee hurt less and work better, making daily activities more accessible for patients.

Hyalgan injections offer a way to ease knee pain and improve joint function. This treatment can help people with knee osteoarthritis by reducing pain and improving knee movement.

Read our comparison of Hyalgan and Orthovisc.

Contraindications for Hyalgan Use

Some patients can’t use Hyalgan because their bodies react poorly to hyaluronate. This is called hypersensitivity. It’s like when someone has an allergy to certain foods or pollen. If they get Hyalgan, they might have a bad reaction because their immune system fights it as if it were harmful, even though it’s not supposed to be.

Doctors should not give Hyalgan to patients with infections or skin problems where they will inject it. This keeps terrible reactions low. Doctors should always check the area for signs of trouble before giving the shot.

Patients with knee joint infections or skin diseases should not get Hyalgan shots. If the area around your knee is infected or has a skin disease, using Hyalgan can be risky. This means no Hyalgan if there’s an infection or skin problem where the shot goes in.

Hyalgan helps many with knee pain from osteoarthritis, but it’s not safe for everyone. Doctors recommend other treatments for infections or skin issues near the knees.

Recommended Dosages for Hyalgan

Hyalgan is given a 20mg shot into the knee joint weekly for five weeks. This specific dose helps ease pain and improve knee movement. Studies have shown that this treatment plan can offer relief from discomfort for up to six months.

Doctors often use intraarticular injections, like Hyalgan, to treat knee osteoarthritis. This method delivers Hyalgan directly into the knee joint to reduce pain and improve joint function.

Administration Tips for Hyalgan

Keeping the area clean is vital when giving Hyalgan shots. Make sure to use sterile equipment and wear gloves. This helps prevent germs from causing infections at the injection site.

After ensuring every step is clean and safe, it’s vital to use the right needle for injecting Hyalgan. The kit includes a 20-gauge needle specifically for this job. This needle works best because it fits the syringe or vial you use only once.

Do not inject Hyalgan into blood vessels or synovial tissue. Doing this can cause more Hyalgan injection side effects. It’s critical to aim for the right spot in the knee joint. This keeps patients safe and helps avoid problems.

Conclusion

Prescribing Hyalgan to treat knee osteoarthritis requires a thorough understanding of the FDA indications, contraindications, recommended dosages, and administration tips. By following the prescribing information and considering key factors such as patient history and injection technique, healthcare providers can ensure the safe and effective use of Hyalgan in clinical practice.

FAQs

1. Who can use Hyalgan?

People with knee pain from osteoarthritis, after other treatments haven’t worked, might get Hyalgan.

2. How do doctors give Hyalgan?

Doctors inject Hyalgan directly into the knee joint.

3. How many shots of Hyalgan will I need?

Depending on your doctor’s recommendation, you might need 3 to 5 shots over several weeks.

4. Are there any side effects with Hyalgan?

Yes, some people might have pain, swelling, or warmth in the area where they got the shot.

5. Can everyone with knee pain use Hyalgan?

It’s only suitable for some; your doctor will decide if it’s a good option based on your specific health situation.

References

World Health Organization. (n.d.). Osteoarthritis. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/osteoarthritis

Goldberg, V. M., & Goldberg, L. (2010). Intra-articular hyaluronans: the treatment of knee pain in osteoarthritis. Journal of pain research, 3, 51–56. https://doi.org/10.2147/jpr.s4733

Huang, T. L., Chang, C. C., Lee, C. H., Chen, S. C., Lai, C. H., & Tsai, C. L. (2011). Intra-articular injections of sodium hyaluronate (Hyalgan®) in osteoarthritis of the knee. A randomized, controlled, double-masked, multicenter trial in the Asian population. BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 12, 221. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-12-221