The U.S. FDA approved Sodium Hyaluronate for knee pain on February 24, 2014. Sodium Hyaluronate belongs which belongs to the group of medicines called intra-articular agents. It is like the natural fluid that cushions your joints, which helps lubricate and protect your joints, acting as a shock absorber. 

Sodium Hyaluronate relieves knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). It is usually given to patients who have not responded well to the other arthritis medications.

Sodium Hyaluronate will be administered to you by a healthcare professional in a hospital setting. Do not self-administer. It is usually administered into the knee joint.  Your doctor will decide the dose, route of administration, and frequency based on your disease condition and other factors.

The most common side effects of Sodium Hyaluronate are pain, redness, stiffness, bruising, or puffiness at the injection site, as well as nausea, stomach pain, trouble walking, back pain, joint pain, muscle pain, numbness or tingling sensation, headache, dizziness, and a runny or stuffy nose.

Do not use Sodium Hyaluronate if you are allergic to Sodium Hyaluronate or any of its ingredients. Do not use this medication if you have an infection in your knee or in the skin around your knee. Not recommended for children aged 21 years and younger as its safety and effectiveness have not been proven.

Notify your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or think you may be pregnant or breastfeeding. Before taking the medicine, notify your doctor if you have had a history of blood clots or circulation issues in your legs or if you have an allergy to birds, feathers, or egg products. Report to your doctor if you have pre-existing chondrocalcinosis (cartilage calcification). Do not stop the medicine until your doctor advises. Do not breastfeed while taking Sodium Hyaluronate unless the doctor advises.

Avoid using skin disinfectants that contain quaternary ammonium salts or chlorhexidine along with Sodium hyaluronate, as it may cause hyaluronan to form clumps. After intra-articular injection, avoid strenuous activities and prolonged weight-bearing activities (over an hour) for 48 hours as part of the treatment. Keep out of sight and reach of pets and children. Do not freeze the medicine. Store between 2°‐25°C. Always check the expiry date before consuming it.

1. Hanmi Pharm Co., Ltd; Sodium Hyaluronate; Product information; https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf17/P170016D.pdf
2. Fidia Pharma USA, Inc, US Food and Drug Administration, [Revised on 2019] [ Accessed on 20th July 2023], https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf18/P180040D.pdf
3. Roy Altman et al; Efficacy and safety of repeated courses of Sodium hyaluronate injections for knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review; Published on Oct 2018; Accessed on 19/07/2021; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29496227/

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.