Type of medicine: hyaluronic acid derivative
Generic and brand names: hylan G-F 20, injection; Synvisc
This medicine is given as injections (shots) into a knee joint to treat knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. It is usually given to people whose pain has not been relieved by other treatments. These shots improve the quality of your own joint fluid to cushion, protect, and lubricate your knee joint.
This medicine may be use for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have:
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Injections are given by your healthcare provider. For arthritis, usually you will have several shots 1Â week apart. It may take several weeks before you see the full effect of this medicine. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
Avoid standing for long periods or strenuous activities such as jogging or tennis for 2Â days after you get this shot.
If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat.
Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away): Painful swelling of the knee with redness and a feeling of warmth, fast heartbeat, trouble breathing, unusual bruising or bleeding.
Other: Fever, nausea, headache, dizziness, muscle cramps, swelling of hands or feet, mild rash, itching, flushing.
No significant drug interactions have been reported.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
