DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Hyaluronate Sodium Injection (hye-a-loo-ROE-nate SO-dee-uhm)
Brand Name: Examples include Euflexxa and Supartz

Hyaluronate Sodium is used for:

Treating knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis who have not received relief from other treatments.

Hyaluronate Sodium is a hyaluronic acid derivative. It works by increasing the effectiveness of the fluid within the knee joint to act as a lubricant and shock absorber.

Do NOT use Hyaluronate Sodium if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Hyaluronate Sodium
• you have an infection or skin disease near the joint or injection site

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Hyaluronate Sodium :

Some medical conditions may interact with Hyaluronate Sodium . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you are allergic to birds or bird products (eg, eggs, feathers, poultry)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Hyaluronate Sodium . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Quaternary ammonium salts because side effects may occur

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Hyaluronate Sodium may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Hyaluronate Sodium :

Use Hyaluronate Sodium as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Hyaluronate Sodium comes with an additional patient leaflet. Read it carefully and reread it each time you get Hyaluronate Sodium refilled.
• Hyaluronate Sodium is usually administered as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you are using Hyaluronate Sodium at home, carefully follow the injection procedures taught to you by your health care provider.
• Hyaluronate Sodium is usually given as a series of injections 1 week apart for a total of 3 to 5 injections depending upon the particular product you are using. You may not experience relief until you have received several injections.
• If Hyaluronate Sodium contains particles or is discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged in any way, do not use it.
• Do not use disinfectants containing ammonium salts to prepare the skin for injection because side effects may occur.
• Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Dispose of properly after use. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain local regulations for proper disposal.
• If you miss a dose of Hyaluronate Sodium , contact your doctor to establish a new dosing schedule.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Hyaluronate Sodium .

Important safety information:

• Hyaluronate Sodium may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Hyaluronate Sodium . Using Hyaluronate Sodium alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• You may experience a temporary inflammation in your knee after using Hyaluronate Sodium . If the inflammation is severe or continues, contact your doctor.
• Avoid strenuous activity or prolonged (more than 1 hour) weight-bearing activity (eg, running, tennis, heavy lifting) for at least 48 hours after you are injected with Hyaluronate Sodium .
• Use Hyaluronate Sodium with extreme caution in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant while taking Hyaluronate Sodium , discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Hyaluronate Sodium during pregnancy. It is unknown if Hyaluronate Sodium is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Hyaluronate Sodium , check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

Possible side effects of Hyaluronate Sodium :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Back pain; mild bruising, heat, redness, swelling, or pain at the injection site; temporary achy feeling; temporary knee inflammation.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue).

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately.

Proper storage of Hyaluronate Sodium :

Hyaluronate Sodium is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Hyaluronate Sodium at home, store this medicine as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Hyaluronate Sodium out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Hyaluronate Sodium , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Hyaluronate Sodium is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Hyaluronate Sodium . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.