• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center

Show Search
Hide Search
  • Disease Information
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Psoriatic Arthritis
    • Ankylosing Spondylitis
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Gout
    • Osteoporosis
  • Patient Corner
    • Drug Information Sheets
    • Managing Your Arthritis
    • RheumTV – Patient Education Video Library
  • Our Research
    • Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
    • Current Research Studies
    • The Camille Julia Morgan Arthritis Research and Education Fund
  • About Us
    • Appointment Information
    • Contact Us
    • Our Faculty
    • Our Staff
    • Rheumatology Specialty Centers
    • News & Updates
  • Donate
Home / Patient Corner / Drug Information Sheets / Hyaluronate (Synvisc® & Hyalgan®)

Hyaluronate (Synvisc® & Hyalgan®)

What is Hyaluronate?

Hyaluronate (hye-a-loo-ROE-nate) is similar to cartilage, the natural substance that lubricates and acts as a shock absorber in the joints. It is injected into the joint to replace worn out cartilage and reduce pain from arthritis. Hyaluronate is commonly known as Hyalgan and Synvisc. This is not a cure for arthritis, but may delay the need for joint replacement.

How do I take it?

Hyaluronate is injected into the joint once a week for 3 consecutive weeks. The injections are 16mg. each. Your doctor will see you one week apart for 3 weeks to give the injection.

What else should I know?

You should limit any strenuous activity for 2 days after each injection. Strenuous activity is anything that puts heavy weight or pressure on your legs for more than one hour. Examples of strenuous activity are jogging, tennis, standing. If pain, redness, or swelling occur at the site of the injection, please contact your doctor.

What about other medications?

It is very important that your doctors are aware of all the medicines you take. This includes prescription and non-prescription medicines as well as birth control pills, vitamins and herbal supplements.

Hyaluronate can be taken with other medications – NSAIDS (Celebrex®, Vioxx®, ibuprofen, naproxen), prednisone, methotrexate, and plaquenil.

Receive the Latest News from Johns Hopkins Rheumatology

Receive the Latest News from Johns Hopkins Rheumatology

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from Johns Hopkins Rheumatology.

Interested In

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Use of this Site

All information contained within the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center website is intended for educational purposes only. Physicians and other health care professionals are encouraged to consult other sources and confirm the information contained within this site. Consumers should never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something they may have read on this website.

Primary Sidebar

Drug Information

  • Drug Information Sheets
  • How to Give a Subcutaneous Injection

List of Treatments

  • Abatacept (Orencia®)
  • Adalimumab (Humira®)
  • Alendronate (Fosamax®)
  • Anakinra (Kineret®)
  • Apremilast (Otezla®)
  • Azathioprine (Imuran®)
  • Certolizumab (Cimzia®)
  • Corticosteroids (i.e. Prednisone)
  • Etanercept (Enbrel®)
  • Febuxostat (Uloric®)
  • Golimumab (Simponi®)
  • Golimumab for infusion (Simponi Aria®)
  • Hyaluronate (Synvisc® & Hyalgan®)
  • Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil®)
  • Ibandronate Sodium (Boniva®)
  • Infliximab (Remicade®)
  • Leflunomide (Arava®)
  • Lesinurad/Allopurinol (Duzallo®)
  • Lesinurad (Zurampic®)
  • Methotrexate (Oral)
  • Methotrexate (Injection)
  • Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs
  • Pegloticase (KRYSTEXXA®)
  • Probenecid
  • Risedronate (Actonel®)
  • Rituximab (Rituxan®)
  • Sarilumab (Kevzara®)
  • Secukinumab (Cosentyx®)
  • Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine®)
  • Teriparatide (Forteo®)
  • Tocilizumab (Actemra®)
  • Tofacitinib (Xeljanz®/XeljanzXR®)
  • Ustekinumab (Stelara®) Drug Information Sheet
  • Zolendronic Acid (Reclast®)
RheumTV Logo

Rheum.TV is an informational platform created to educate patients living with a rheumatic disease. With over 100 disease education videos produced by the team at Johns Hopkins Rheumatology.

Visit Rheum.TV

Footer

Johns Hopkins Rheumatology

  • Johns Hopkins Rheumatology
  • Johns Hopkins Lupus Center
  • Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center
  • Johns Hopkins Myositis Center
  • Johns Hopkins Scleroderma Center
  • Johns Hopkins Sjögren’s Syndrome Center
  • Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Johns Hopkins Medicine

© 2025 Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center
Patient Privacy