Zilretta

Zilretta is a prescription medication used to treat knee pain associated with osteoarthritis.

Zilretta belongs to a group of drugs called glucocorticoids. These work by mimicking the action of steroids normally produced by your body and reducing inflammation.

This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into the joint (intra-articular) of the knee by a healthcare professional. It is not intended for repeat use.

Common side effects of Zilretta include stuffed up or runny nose, cough, or bruising.

Zilretta is a prescription medication used to treat knee pain associated with osteoarthritis.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects have been reported with Zilretta. See the “Zilretta Precautions” section.

Common side effects of Zilretta include the following:

• stuffed up or runny nose
• cough 
• bruising
• joint swelling

This is not a complete list of Zilretta side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effects that bother you or that do not go away.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

No drug interactions have been studied by the manufacturer. However, you should tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Not all drug interactions are known or reported and new drug interactions are continually being reported.

Serious side effects have been reported with Zilretta including the following:

• hypersensitivity (severe allergic reaction). Tell your healthcare provider about any signs or symptoms of hypersensitivity, including chest pain, swelling of the face or mouth, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or rash. 
• joint infection or damage. Tell your healthcare provider immediately about any signs or symptoms of joint infection, including increased pain, swelling, restricted joint motion, and fever. 
• increased risk of infections. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: fever, chills, sore throat, ongoing cough and congestion, or other signs of infection.
• changes in endocrine function. After receiving Zilretta, your body’s ability to produce certain steroid hormones may be impaired.
• kidney changes. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any weight gain or swelling in the hands, arms, feet, or legs.
• changes in mood. Tell your healthcare provider if you notice any changes in mood or behavior.

Do not take Zilretta if you are allergic to Zilretta or to any of its ingredients.

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Zilretta, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking Zilretta, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• are allergic to Zilretta or to any of its ingredients
• have or have had any mental health disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia
• have any gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as ulcers, diverticulosis, and ulcerative colitis
• have osteoporosis
• are postmenopausal 
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
• are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

For this formulation, no studies have been done in animals, and no well-controlled studies have been done in pregnant women. Zilretta should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Zilretta crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Zilretta.

This medication is available in an injectable form to be given directly into the joint (intra-articular) of the knee one time by a healthcare professional.

Zilretta has not been studied to be given more than once.

Zilretta is not to be used in small joints such as the hand. Zilretta has not been studied in other joints such as should or hip.

Zilretta should only be given into the joint (intra-articular). It has not been evaluated to be given by other routes.

The recommended dose of Zilretta for the treatment of knee pain with osteoarthritis is one single 32 mg (5 ml) injection into the joint (intra-articular) of the knee by a healthcare professional.

If Zilretta is administered by a healthcare provider in a medical setting, it is unlikely that an overdose will occur. However, if overdose is suspected, seek emergency medical attention.

Contact your doctor if you develop a fever or other signs of infection, have an increase in pain along with swelling of the injected knee, restriction of joint motion or a general feeling of discomfort. Contact your doctor immediately if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles, or for any new or worsening changes in behavior or mood.