Hyaluronate and Derivatives



Biolon™; Euflexxa™; Healon®; Healon®5; Healon GV®; Hyalgan®; Hylaform®; Hylaform® Plus; IPM Wound Gel™[OTC]; Orthovisc®; Provisc®; Restylane®; Supartz™; Synvisc®; Vitrax®







Hyaluronate and Derivatives

(hye al yoor ON ate & dah RIV ah tives)

U.S. Brand Names
Biolon™; Euflexxa™; Healon®; Healon®5; Healon GV®; Hyalgan®; Hylaform®; Hylaform® Plus; IPM Wound Gel™[OTC]; Orthovisc®; Provisc®; Restylane®; Supartz™; Synvisc®; Vitrax®
Canadian Brand Names
Cystistat®; Durolane®; Eyestil; Healon®; Healon GV®; OrthoVisc®; Suplasyn®
Mexican Brand Names
Biolon™; Healon®
Pharmacologic Category
Antirheumatic Miscellaneous; Ophthalmic Agent, Viscoelastic; Skin and Mucous Membrane Agent, Miscellaneous
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to hyaluronic acid or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you have an allergy to birds or eggs, talk with healthcare provider.
  • Knee:
  • If you have an infected joint.
  • Skin:
  • If you are less than 18 years of age.
  • If you have a skin infection.
What is this medicine used for?
  • Eye:
  • This medicine is used for a variety of eye surgeries.
  • Knee:
  • This medicine is used to decrease pain caused by arthritis.
  • Skin injection:
  • This medicine is used to decrease facial wrinkles and folds.
  • Topical:
  • This medicine is used to promote healing of skin ulcers and wounds.
How does it work?
  • Eye:
  • This medicine helps provide a better surface for eye surgery.
  • Knee:
  • This medicine loosens the joint area around the knee.
  • Skin injection:
  • This medicine restores volume and thickness to skin lessening wrinkles and folds.
  • Topical:
  • This medicine helps the skin maintain moisture which helps with wound healing.
How is it best taken?
  • Eye:
  • This medicine is given as a shot into the eye.
  • Knee:
  • This medicine is given as a shot into the knee.
  • Skin injection:
  • This medicine is given as a shot into the skin of the face.
  • Topical:
  • Do not take this medicine by mouth. For skin only. Keep out of mouth, nose, and eyes (may burn).
  • Wash hands before and after use.
  • Clean affected area before use. Make sure to dry well.
  • Apply a thin layer to the affected skin.
  • Cover the wound with a clean dressing.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Call healthcare provider for appointment.
  • Skin topical:
  • Apply a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not apply a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • All forms:
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.
  • Knee:
  • Avoid activity for 48 hours or as directed by healthcare provider.
  • Skin injection:
  • Talk with healthcare provider before using aspirin, aspirin-containing products, NSAIDs (eg, ibuprofen, ketoprofen), other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.
  • Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds until swelling is gone.
  • Avoid exposure to cold weather until swelling is gone.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Headache.
  • Bruising.
  • Swelling.
  • Eye:
  • Eye irritation.
  • Increased eye pressure.
  • Knee, Skin injection:
  • Irritation where the shot is given.
  • Topical:
  • Skin irritation.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Difficulty breathing.
  • Swelling.
  • Severe belly pain.
  • Chest pain or pressure, fast heartbeat, or passing out.
  • Severe skin irritation.
  • Sudden change in vision, eye pain or irritation.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Skin gel:
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Eye, Knee, Skin (injection):
  • This medicine will be given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Brand Names: