MedicineNet.com
About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map
November 22, 2009
MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living Picture Image Collection MedTerms medical dictionary
Font Size
A
A
A


Medications and Drugs

Medical Editor: Jay W. Marks, MD

GENERIC NAME: hyaluronic acid

BRAND NAME: Restylane

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Restylane is a gel of hyaluronic acid produced by bacteria and used for treating facial wrinkles and folds. Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is normally produced by the body. Hyaluronic acid is what gives skin its volume and fullness. The hyaluronic acid in Restylane is called non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) because it is not derived from animal sources. When Restylane is injected into wrinkled skin it adds fullness and reduces the prominence of the wrinkles in the previously wrinkled area. Hyaluronic acid also attracts and binds water, and this also helps maintain fullness in the area of injection. The benefit of hyaluronic acid may last for six months or longer. Restylane was approved by the FDA in December, 2003.

PRESCRIPTION: Yes

GENERIC AVAILABLE: No

PREPARATIONS:

Single use syringes

STORAGE: Store at room temperature up to 25°C (77°F).

PRESCRIBED FOR: Restylane is used for the correction of moderate to severe wrinkles and folds (e.g. naso-labial folds). It is also used for enhancing fullness of the lips.

DOSING:Restylane is administered by injection only by a physician. The amount of Restylane that is administered depends on the site that is being treated but it should not be more than 1.5 ml per site.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Drug interactions are not listed in the prescribing information.

PREGNANCY: Use of hyaluronic acid during pregnancy has not been evaluated.

NURSING MOTHERS: Use of hyaluronic acid by nursing mothers has not been evaluated.

SIDE EFFECTS: The most common side effects of hyaluronic acid are reactions at the site of injection such as bruising, redness, pain, itching, tenderness and swelling. Vitamin E supplements, St. John's Wort, aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Aleve and Motrin may increase bruising or bleeding after injection of hyaluronic acid. Therefore, patients should stop these drugs at least one week before the injections. Post marketing adverse effects that have been reported include infection, allergic reactions, necrosis (death of tissue), and acne.

Reference: FDA Prescribing Information


Last Editorial Review: 3/8/2005 9:26:00 PM




Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.


Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Suggested Reading by Our Doctors
MedicineNet Doctors
  • Wrinkles - Learn more about wrinkles, which typically appear on areas of the body that receive a high amount of exposure to the sun. Smoking, light skin type, hairstyle, the way you dress, your occupational and recreational habits, and heredity are all factors that promote wrinkling. Medical treatments for wrinkles include antioxidants, moisturizers, alpha-hydroxy acids, and vitamin A acid. Cosmetic procedures that treat wrinkles include dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, glycolic acid peels, laser resurfacing, Botox, and fillers.

Latest Medical News


Back to Medications Index


Skin & Beauty

Get beauty tips and body treatments.


Are you Depressed? Take the Quiz

Your Guide to Symptoms & Signs: Pinpoint Your Pain



Related Drugs - WebMD Health Network

hyaluronic acid, Restylane

Introduction

Although wrinkles can signify wisdom, most people nowadays would rather not have them.

Many products and procedures promise to reduce wrinkles. Some do little or nothing (like the products that claim they reduce "the appearance of fine lines," which means that they don't reduce the lines themselves). Others can achieve a fair amount of success.

Skin ages all over the body, but much more so where there has been sun exposure. Changes brought on by sun damage (photoaging) include "dryness" (really roughness), sagginess, skin growths like keratoses ("liver spots"), and wrinkles.

Most wrinkles appear on the parts of the body where sun exposure is greatest. These especially include the face, neck, the backs of the hands, and the tops of the forearms. Wrinkles come in two categories: fine surface lines and deep furrows. Wrinkle treatments are in general much more effective for fine lines. Deeper creases may require more ...

Read the Wrinkles article »



Top 1
hyaluronic acid, Restylane Related Articles







Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | News & Views | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

©1996-2009 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.