Orthovisc Information
Orthovisc (Sodium Hyaluronate) is a viscosupplementation agent primarily indicated and approved to treat pain associated with knee osteoarthritis, specifically for patients who have not achieved adequate relief from conservative non-pharmacological therapies (such as physical therapy) or simple pain relievers such as acetaminophen.
In a healthy knee, natural hyaluronic acid cushions the joint and absorbs physical shock during movement. Osteoarthritis degrades this fluid, leading to increased friction, cartilage wear, and pain. Injecting Orthovisc directly into the joint cavity helps restore the viscoelastic properties of the synovial fluid. This ultra-pure solution cushions and lubricates the joint surfaces, reducing mechanical friction between the bones. Beyond localized lubrication, the introduction of high-molecular-weight hyaluronate helps protect remaining cartilage and supports the joint's natural environment.
Orthovisc Side Effects
Orthovisc is generally well tolerated because its active ingredient mimics the natural lubricant found inside healthy joints. However, because it is administered via an intra-articular (intra-joint) injection, localized reactions can occur. The most commonly reported side effects in clinical trials include joint pain (arthralgia), back pain, and headaches.
Patients may also experience temporary localized symptoms at the injection site, such as mild swelling, warmth, redness, stiffness, or bruising. Contact your doctor if these symptoms persist or worsen. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience rare but severe signs of an allergic reaction, including breathing difficulties, hives, skin blistering, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Orthovisc Precautions
Do not use this viscosupplementation agent if you have:
• An established hypersensitivity or allergy to hyaluronate preparations.
• A known allergy to gram-positive bacterial proteins (as this product is derived from bacterial fermentation).
• An active knee joint infection or skin disease/infection surrounding the intended injection site.
Avoid using disinfectants containing quaternary ammonium salts for skin preparation prior to the injection, as hyaluronic acid can precipitate (clump) in their presence. Patients should avoid strenuous or prolonged weight-bearing activities (such as jogging, tennis, or heavy lifting) for 48 hours following each injection. Inform your doctor about all current medications, including topical treatments. Consult your physician if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, as the safety of viscosupplementation has not been fully established in these populations. Store Orthovisc in its original packaging at room temperature and do not freeze.
The content on this page has been supplied to bigmountaindrugs.com by an independent third party contracted to provide information for our website. BigMountainDrugs relies on these third parties to create and maintain this information and cannot guarantee the medical efficacy, accuracy or reliability of the information that has been provided to us. If you require any advice or information about the drugs on this page, a medical condition or treatment advice, you should always speak to a health professional. Please note that not all products, including any referenced on this page, are shipped by our affiliated Canadian Pharmacy. We affiliate with other dispensaries that ship products to our customers from the following jurisdictions: Canada, Singapore, New Zealand, Turkey, Mauritius, India, and the United Kingdom. The items in your order may be shipped from any of the above jurisdictions. The products are sourced from various countries as well as those listed above. Rest assured, we only affiliate with our authorized dispensaries that procure products through reliable sources.