HYALGAN®

HYALGAN® is indicated for the treatment of pain in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conservative nonpharmacologic therapy and to simple analgesics, eg, acetaminophen.

HYALGAN® is a product based on a class of products known as hyaluronic acid, sodium hyaluronate, or hyaluronans. It is approved for the treatment of pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee in patients who do not get adequate relief from simple painkillers or from exercise and physical therapy.

HYALGAN® is a viscous solution consisting of a high molecular weight (500,000–730,000 daltons) fraction of purified natural sodium hyaluronate (Hyalectin®) in buffered physiological sodium chloride, having a pH of 6.8-7.5. The Hyalectin® is extracted from rooster combs. Hyaluronic acid is a natural complex sugar of the glycosaminoglycan family and is a long-chain polymer containing repeating disaccharide units of Na-glucuronate-N-acetylglucosamine.

1. Contraindications

   • Do not administer to patients with known hypersensitivity to hyaluronate preparations.
   • Intra-articular injections are contraindicated in cases of present infections or skin diseases in the area of the injection site to reduce the potential for developing septic arthritis.

2. After-care.

   • Hyalgan® is administered by intra-articular injection. A treatment cycle consists of five injections given at weekly intervals. Some patients may experience benefit with three injections given at weekly intervals.
   • Because HYALGAN® is injected directly into the joint and not administered systemically and there are no known drug interactions, you may be able to take other medications as well.
   • HYALGAN is not known to interfere with other pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs. The safety and effectiveness of the use of HYALGAN® concomitantly with other intra-articular injections, such as steroids, have not been established.
   • It is recommended that you avoid strenuous activities such as jogging, tennis, and heavy lifting or standing on your feet for a long time for at least 48 hours after receiving an injection.
   • Your doctor will advise about what level of activity is right for you, but in general, patients are able to maintain their normal daily activities after receiving HYALGAN® treatment.