Synvisc-One Arthritis Injection Recall, Lawsuits, and Settlements

What Is Synvisc-One?

Synvisc-One, an injectable medication used to treat knee pain (specifically, arthritis) has been recalled by its maker Sanofi Genzyme. This is a very serious complication for the thousands of people who use this medication for pain relief. If you are on this medication, or you have taken it in the past, your first step is to contact your doctor immediately to learn more about how to safely stop taking it. In addition to this, you may be entitled to a cash settlement in some cases.

As experienced medical malpractice attorneys, we are working with patients who have taken the Synvisc-One injection and helping them to file claims with the maker and insurers for it. If you are suffering from any side effects or any illness, we encourage you to contact our offices immediately to learn more about your options – do not just settle your claim without legal representation through this process!

Recall of Synvisc-One: What Is Happening Now?

The Synvisc-One recall has taken place. The company has recalled the use of all of its Synvisc-One knee injection medications. The company sites serious health risks associated with taking this treatment. This is a voluntary recall from Sanofi Genzyme, the biotech company behind the product. It was for a single lot of the medication. The lot impacted was found to contain some level of contamination. Specifically, those who received this medication experienced a high level of side effects (more about these later).

As a result, the company has issued an urgent hold on the product – a letter was provided to doctors, all clinics, and pharmacies using the product that came from this lot. Specifically, lot number 7RSL021 is being further investigated. This recall was due to the potential presence of microbial contamination, according to a release of information from the company.

The company reports that it issued the recall as a direct response to a high result of unexpected high levels of reports of adverse events. These seem to have happened in the United States specifically. Within its recall press release, the company notes that having this injection can result in an increased risk of infection in some patients.

If you are taking Synvisc-One – consult with your doctor immediately. Verify that your product is not from the lot mentioned here – 7RSL021 and that you have not received injections from this lot previously.

Common Side Effects from Synvisc-One

Side effects can occur with Synvisc-One – and they have in many people. The most common high-risk side effect is an allergic reaction. This can cause an immediate, life-threatening event. It may include hives, difficulty breathing, swelling in the lips, face, and tongue, as well as loss of consciousness.

Some individuals struggle with the development of worse or severe pain located in or around their knee after they received an injection. Swelling in this area is also a sign of concern and needs to be treated by a doctor.

Other side effects of Synvisc-One include:

• A feeling of warmth in the area where the injection occurred
• Development of pain, stiffness, and swelling in the area of the injection
• Trouble walking due to muscle pain in the area
• Headaches, dizziness, and nausea
• Itching feeling at the injection site or the surrounding area
• Fevers, chills, and flu-like symptoms
• Feeling tired and fatigued

If you have these or any other symptoms, please seek out medical help immediately.

Why Was Synvisc-One Used?

For those who have arthritis, the movement of a joint like the knee tends to be very difficult and painful. Synvisc-One, also known as Hylan G-F 20, is a type of injection placed into the impacted joint. It is an elastoviscous, high molecular weight product. It contains polymers Hylan A as well as Hylan B. These are derived from chicken combs.

Doctors prescribed this medication specifically to treat osteoarthritis in the knees. It was not a first line of treatment drug. Rather, it was often turned to when patients did not get the results they wanted from other types of drug therapies or nonpharmacologic treatment. Those who did not find relief from pain medications such as acetaminophen often had this recommended.

How Was Synvisc-One Dosed?

The drug combined three doses of Hylan G-F 20 and Hylan B hydrated gel. It was included in a sodium chloride solution with a pH level of 7.2. Generally, this medication was found in a 10 mL syringe that had three, 2-Ml doses in them. This was considered a complete treatment of the drug. Its makeup, then, included:

• 51 mg of sodium chloride
• 48 mg of Hylan polymers, the mixture of Hylan A and Hylan B
• 6 mL of water for the injection
• 0.96 mg of disodium hydrogen phosphate
• .24 mg of sodium dihydrogen phosphate monohydrate

The FDA and Synvisc-One

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of hyaluronic acid injections like this in patients who have osteoarthritis in their needs. It can sometimes be used in other joints as well. This acid is naturally present in the body’s healthy joints and works to allow the joints to move properly and smoothly. The specific concern here is with a batch of Synvisc-One that may be contaminated.

Request a Free Consultation with Our Team for Synvisc-One Lawsuits and Settlements

As noted, we highly recommend that anyone taking this medication or who has used injections into the knee due to knee osteoarthritis previously to contact our offices. This is critically important to your well-being and in claiming the settlement owed to you. Our team has decades of experience and an aggressive style of legal support. We’ll make sure you get the compensation owed to you. Those injured by Synvisc-One knee injects may recover the following types of compensation:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages

If your loved one died because of Synvisc-One knee injections, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim to recover funeral expenses and the pain the comes with losing a loved one.

For a free consultation, call DuBoff & Associates, Chtd., immediately for a consultation. Our attorneys are available 24 hours a day to help you. Call 301-495-3131or use our online contact form and our attorney will call you. We have offices in Silver Spring and Baltimore to help you.