Orthovisc is similar to the fluid that surrounds the joints in your body. This fluid acts as a lubricant and shock absorber for the joints.

Orthovisc is used to treat knee pain caused by osteoarthritis.

Orthovisc is usually given after other arthritis medications have been tried without success.

You should not receive Orthovisc if are allergic to hyaluronate formulations or gram positive bacterial proteins, or have an infection in your knee or in the skin around your knee.

Orthovisc is injected directly into your knee joint. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

You may be given more than one injection. If so, additional injections are usually given at least 1 week after your first injection.

Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully.

This medicine should give you relief from pain for several months.

Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

Usual Adult Dose for Osteoarthritis:

2 mL intraarticularly into the knee once a week for 3 to 4 weeks.

If joint effusion is present, it should be removed before injection. A new syringe should be used for the injection.

You should not be treated with Orthovisc if you are allergic to hyaluronan, or if you have:

• an allergy to gram positive bacteria proteins (ask your doctor if you are not sure);

• a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia; or

• an infection in your knee or in the skin around your knee.

It is not known whether Orthovisc will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

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

Orthovisc is not approved for use by anyone younger than 21 years old.

Since Orthovisc is usually given in a single dose, it does not have a daily dosing schedule.

If you need to receive more than one Orthovisc injection, call your doctor for instructions if you miss your next injection appointment.

Since this medicine 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 tennis. Also avoid weight-bearing activity or standing for longer than 1 hour at a time.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Orthovisc: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• bleeding;

• increased knee pain; or

• signs of infection (warmth, swelling, redness) around your knee.

Common Orthovisc side effects may include:

• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling;

• itching, numbness, or tingling;

• headache, dizziness;

• back pain;

• swelling, pain, redness, or mild discomfort where the medicine was injected.

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 hyaluronan, 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.