Synvisc

Synvisc is injected directly into the knee joint by a healthcare professional. It's usually given once every week for three weeks.

Synvisc-One is given as a single injection.

Your doctor may tell you to apply ice to your knee after you receive your injection of Synvisc.

Synvisc Overdose

A healthcare professional typically administers Synvisc in a medical setting, so you're unlikely to experience an overdose.

But if you suspect an overdose, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately.

You can get in touch with a poison control center at 800-222-1222.

Missed Dose of Synvisc

Call your healthcare provider if you miss an appointment to receive your Synvisc injection.

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

Call your doctor at once if you have severe pain or swelling around the knee after the injection.

Common side effects may include:

• warmth, redness, pain, stiffness, swelling, or puffiness where the medicine was injected;

• muscle pain, trouble walking;

• fever, chills, nausea;

• prickly feeling in your skin;

• headache, dizziness; or

• itching or skin irritation around the knee.

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.

Use this medicine as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• It is given as a shot into the knee.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Call your doctor to find out what to do.

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Very bad swelling.
• Very bad irritation where the shot was given.
• Very bad knee pain.

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Irritation or swelling where the shot was given.
• Bruising.
• Mild pain, stiffness, or warmth in or by the knee.
• Back pain.
• Muscle pain.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

• If you need to store Synvisc at home, talk with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about how to store it.

Synvisc (hylan G-F 20) is similar to the fluid that surrounds the joints in your body. This fluid acts as a lubricant and shock absorber for the joints.

Synvisc is used to treat knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Synvisc is usually given after other arthritis medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

Other drugs may interact with hylan G-F 20, 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.

Applies to hylan g-f 20: intra-articular solution

General

A retrospective study reported pain, warmth, and swelling after 11% of injections, in some cases lasting up to 3 weeks.[Ref]

In clinical trials with 511 patients who received a total of 1771 injections, knee pain and/or swelling were reported in 7.2% patients or 2.2% of injections and were the most common adverse reactions.[Ref]

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included individual cases of rash, itching, generalized urticaria, recurring small hives, facial flush with lip swelling, and body prickling. These symptoms did not reoccur upon rechallenge.[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea and hemorrhoids.[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Musculoskeletal side effects have included calf cramps, ankle edema, muscle pain, low back sprain, and pseudosepsis.[Ref]

Pseudosepsis has been characterized as severe joint inflammation with pain and effusion occurring 24 to 72 hours after injection and it may be more likely to occur after the second or third injection or with repeated courses. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, intra-articular steroids, and/or arthrocentesis are often required to treat pseudosepsis.[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included tachyarrhythmia and phlebitis with varicosities.[Ref]

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included anxiety and listlessness, dizziness, headache, shivering, and body pain.[Ref]

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included respiratory difficulties.[Ref]

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have included one case report of pseudogout and one of acute gout in a patient with no prior episodes.[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Hypersensitivity reactions have included one reported case of a suspected allergic reaction with fever, large effusion in the knee, and synovial eosinophilia.[Ref]

Local

Local reactions have included acute painful joint effusions after injection into the knee in 1% to 11% of patients.[Ref]

Some side effects of Synvisc may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.