How SYNVISC® Compares

SYNVISC is the number one prescribed viscosupplement product in the United States. Used in over five million knees5, it's the only treatment of its kind to offer up to six months of pain relief with only three injections.

Review selected information from FDA-approved package inserts of SYNVISC and other viscosupplements—and see how the competition measures up. Then click on the tabs to read more detailed product comparisons.

SYNVISC vs. Other Viscosupplements

Orthovisc®: Minimal efficacy demonstrated

Consider the facts about Orthovisc:

  • Only 2 clinical trials evaluate its efficacy and safety10
  • Failed to separate from placebo with 3 or 4 weekly injections10
  • Studies demonstrated efficacy up to only 22 weeks with 3 or 4 injections10
  • Orthovisc is a non-cross-linked HA product10

Orthovisc approved labeling is based only on a pooled analysis of 2 trials10:

Study
Method
Reported Efficacy Results
Brandt et al, 200111
  • Orthovisc 3 injections (n=114) vs saline 3 injections (n=112)
  • 27-week follow-up
  • Primary analysis showed no significant differences between the Orthovisc and saline groups for any efficacy measures at any time point
  • A post hoc analysis of a patient subgroup (50% of all studied patients) showed significant differences in favor of Orthovisc for some efficacy measures
Neustadt et al, 200512
  • Orthovisc 4 injections (n=128) vs Orthovisc 3 injections + 1 arthrocentesis (n=119) vs 4 arthrocenteses (n=123)
  • 22-week follow-up
  • Primary analysis showed no significant differences between the Orthovisc and control groups in primary efficacy measures and WOMAC pain scores at any time point
  • One post hoc analysis (≥ 40% WOMAC improvement) of a patient subgroup (88% of all patients) demonstrated that 4 Orthovisc injections were better than 4 arthrocenteses



1. Hyalgan [Product Information]. New York, NY: Sanofi-Synthelabo, Inc.; 2001.


2. Supartz [Product Information]. Memphis, TN: Smith & Nephew, Inc.; 2004


3. Orthovisc [Product Information]. Woburn, MA: Anika Therapeutics, Inc.; 2004.


4. Euflexxa [Product Information]. Suffern, NY: Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.; 2005.


5. Data on file, Genzyme Corporation.


6. Raman R, et al. Efficacy of Hylan G-F 20 and Sodium Hyaluronate in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee — A prospective randomized clinical trial, The Knee (2008), doi:10.1016/j.knee.2008.02.012


6. Raman R, et al. Efficacy of Hylan G-F 20 and Sodium Hyaluronate in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee — A prospective randomized clinical trial, The Knee (2008), doi:10.1016/j.knee.2008.02.012


7. Caborn D, Rush J, Lanzer W, Parenti D, Murray C, on behalf of the Synvisc 901 Study Group. A randomized, single-blind comparison of the efficacy and tolerability of hylan G-F 20 and triamcinolone hexacetonide in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. J Rheumatol.2004;31:333-343.


8. Brander V, Bart G, Stadler T. Functional improvement with hylan G-F 20 in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Poster presented at: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Annual Assembly. November 9-12, 2006, Honolulu, Hawaii.


9. Supartz Prescribing Information. Memphis, TN: Smith & Nephew, Inc; 2006.


9. Supartz Prescribing Information. Memphis, TN: Smith & Nephew, Inc; 2006.


9. Supartz Prescribing Information. Memphis, TN: Smith & Nephew, Inc; 2006.


9. Supartz Prescribing Information. Memphis, TN: Smith & Nephew, Inc; 2006.


9. Supartz Prescribing Information. Memphis, TN: Smith & Nephew, Inc; 2006.


9. Supartz Prescribing Information. Memphis, TN: Smith & Nephew, Inc; 2006.


10. Orthovisc Prescribing Information. Bridgewater, NJ: Ortho Biotech Products, LP; 2004.


10. Orthovisc Prescribing Information. Bridgewater, NJ: Ortho Biotech Products, LP; 2004.


10. Orthovisc Prescribing Information. Bridgewater, NJ: Ortho Biotech Products, LP; 2004.


10. Orthovisc Prescribing Information. Bridgewater, NJ: Ortho Biotech Products, LP; 2004.


10. Orthovisc Prescribing Information. Bridgewater, NJ: Ortho Biotech Products, LP; 2004.


10. Orthovisc Prescribing Information. Bridgewater, NJ: Ortho Biotech Products, LP; 2004.


11. Brandt KD, Block JA, Michalski JP, Moreland LW, Caldwell JR, Lavin PT, and the Orthovisc® Study Group. Efficacy and safety of intraarticular sodium hyaluronate in knee osteoarthritis. Clin Orthop. 2001;385:130-143


12. Neustadt D, Caldwell J, Bell M, Wade J, Gimbel J. Clinical effects of intraarticular injection of high molecular weight hyaluronan (Orthovisc®) in osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized, controlled, multicenter trial. J Rheumatol. 2005;32:1928-1936


13. Euflexxa Prescribing Information. Suffern, NY: Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc; 2005.


13. Euflexxa Prescribing Information. Suffern, NY: Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc; 2005.


13. Euflexxa Prescribing Information. Suffern, NY: Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc; 2005.


13. Euflexxa Prescribing Information. Suffern, NY: Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc; 2005.


13. Euflexxa Prescribing Information. Suffern, NY: Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc; 2005.


13. Euflexxa Prescribing Information. Suffern, NY: Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc; 2005.


14. Tamir E, Robinson D, Koren R, Agar G, Halperin N. Intra-articular hyaluronan injections for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee:a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2001;19(3):265-270.


15. Kirchner M, Marshall D.A double-blind randomized controlled trial comparing alternate forms of high molecular weight hyaluronan for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2006;14(2):154-162.