Hylan G-F 20 intra articular injection, benefit, side effects of Arthritis hylan G-F 20 and medical uses for joint health

FDA Approves Intra-Articular Injection for Osteoarthritis of the Knee
February 26, 2009 -- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc-One), administered through a single intra-articular injection, for relief of pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conservative nonpharmacologic therapy and simple analgesics.

"In just 1 visit to the doctor's office, patients suffering from osteoarthritis may experience clinically significant pain relief for up to 6 months and for some patients this pain relief could potentially translate into a delay in the need for a total knee replacement," said Jack M. Bert, MD, Arthroscopy Association of North America, and University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Duluth, Minnesota. "This single injection regimen will provide greater physician and patient convenience."

Hylan G-F 20 is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to hyaluronan products or patients with infections in or around the target knee. Caution should be used when injecting patients who are allergic to avian proteins, feathers, or egg products; who have evidence of venous or lymphatic stasis in the leg to be treated; or who have severe inflammation in the knee to be treated.

The most commonly reported related local adverse events were transient, mild to moderate arthralgia, arthritis, arthropathy, injection-site pain, and joint effusion.

Hylan G-F 20 side effects
No serious adverse events have been reported in knees injected with hylan G-F 20. Repeat treatment did not affect the safety profile.In the clinical trial, there was 1 related systemic event of syncope. The most common systemic side effects irrespective of relationship to hylan G-F 20 were headache, back pain, nasopharyngitis, and influenza. Side effects such as rash have been reported rarely in association with hylan G-F 20.

Hylan G-F 20 caution
Patients should be advised to avoid strenuous or prolonged weight-bearing activities for approximately 48 hours after treatment. Aspiration of any effusion prior to injection is highly recommended. Strict adherence to aseptic technique must be followed to avoid joint infection. The safety and effectiveness of hylan G-F 20 have not been established in children or in pregnant or lactating women. It is unknown whether hylan G-F 20 is excreted in human milk.