Monovisc

Indications

Monovisc is a single-injection visco-supplement utilized to treat knee joint pain caused by osteoarthritis (OA) and is comprised of highly purified, non-avian hyaluronic acid that supplements the hyaluronic acid already present in the synovial fluid of the joint.

Monovisc is injected directly into the affected joint to provide long-lasting pain relief by increasing joint lubrication and shock absorption, which reduces friction and joint pressure.

Monovisc is designed to be administered in a single injection, in contrast to other visco-supplements which may require multiple injections.

Use and Dosage

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

You may be given more than one Monovisc 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.

Side Effects

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

Serious side effects include:

• Bleeding
• Increased knee pain
• Signs of infection (warmth, swelling, redness) around your knee

Common side effects of Monovisc may include:

• Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• Itching, numbness, or tingling
• Headache or 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.

Cautions

You should not receive Monovisc if you have a bleeding disorder, certain allergies, or an infection in your knee or the skin around your knee.

You should not be treated with Monovisc if you are allergic to it, 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
• An infection in your knee or the skin around your knee

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

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

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

Form and Strengths

Monovisc is available in the following form and strengths:

• Monovisc Injection:
  • 22 mg/ml

FAQ

What happens if I miss a dose?

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

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

What happens if I overdose?

Since Monovisc is given by a healthcare professional in a medical setting, an overdose is unlikely to occur.

What should I avoid after receiving Monovisc?

For at least 48 hours after your injection: Avoid jogging, strenuous activity, or high-impact sports such as tennis.

Avoid weight-bearing activity or standing for longer than 1 hour at a time.

Resources:

1. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf9/p090031c.pdf
2. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/monovisc.html#side-effects
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5560514/