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.

Hylan G-F 20 is used to treat knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Hylan G-F 20 is usually given after other arthritis medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

Hylan G-F 20 may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not receive hylan G-F 20 if you have an infection in your knee or in the skin around your knee.

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

Hylan G-F 20 is injected directly into your knee joint. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

The Synvisc brand of hylan G-F 20 is usually given once every week until you have received 3 injections. The Synvisc-One brand of hylan G-F 20 is given only once. Your doctor will determine how many injections you should receive.

To prevent pain and swelling, your doctor may recommend resting your knee or applying ice for a short time after your injection.

Usual Adult Dose for Osteoarthritis:

21 years and older:
Inject 16 mg (2 mL) intra-articularly into the knee once a week for 3 weeks

Comments:
-Strict aseptic administration technique should be followed.
-Using an 18- to 22-gauge needle, remove synovial fluid or effusion before each injection.
-Do not use the same syringe for removing synovial fluid and for injecting this drug; however, the same 18- to 22-gauge needle should be used.

Use: For the treatment of pain in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conservative nonpharmacologic therapy and simple analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen)

You should not receive hylan G-F 20 if you are allergic to it, or if you have an infection in your knee or in the skin around your knee.

To make sure hylan G-F 20 is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• blood clots or circulation problems in your legs; or

• an allergy to birds, feathers, or egg products.

It is not known whether hylan G-F 20 will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It is not known whether hylan G-F 20 passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Hylan G-F 20 is generally not used in anyone younger than 21 years old.

Call your doctor for instructions if you miss an appointment for your hylan G-F 20 injection.

Since hylan G-F 20 is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

For at least 48 hours after your injection, avoid jogging, strenuous activity, or high-impact sports such as soccer or tennis. Also avoid weight-bearing activity or standing for longer than 1 hour at a time. Ask your doctor how long to wait before you resume these activities.

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 of hylan G-F 20 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.

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.