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Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is naturally present in the human body. It is found in the highest concentrations in fluids in the eyes and joints. The hyaluronic acid that is used as medicine is extracted from rooster combs or made by bacteria in the laboratory.
The FDA has approved the use of hyaluronic acid for injection into the knee for patients with knee osteoarthritis. It is also approved as an injection into the eye for patients with cataracts.
People use hyaluronic acid for various joint disorders, urinary tract infections (UTIs), acid reflux, dry eyes, vaginal pain, aging, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
- Cataracts. Hyaluronic acid is an FDA-approved medical device used in cataract surgery. It is unknown if oral or topical hyaluronic acid would be beneficial for this use.
Login for details - Oral mucositis. A specific hyaluronic acid gel is FDA-approved to improve pain and healing in patients with this condition. It's unclear if other products are as effective.
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- Aging skin. A specific injectable hyaluronic acid product is approved as a medical device and dermal filler to correct age-related volume deficits in the face. In contrast, oral hyaluronic acid has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. It is also unclear if topical hyaluronic acid is beneficial.
Login for details - Dry eye. Applying eye drops containing hyaluronic acid alone or in combination with other ingredients seems to improve symptoms of dry eye.
Login for details - Osteoarthritis. Hyaluronic acid is approved as a medical device for intra-articular injection to reduce pain and improve function in osteoarthritis, especially osteoarthritis of the knee. Its benefit when used orally is unclear.
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- Canker sores. It is unclear if topical hyaluronic acid is beneficial for canker sores in children.
Login for details - Diabetic foot ulcers. Oral hyaluronic acid has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Exercise-induced muscle soreness. Oral hyaluronic acid has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Eye trauma. Login for details
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Oral hyaluronic acid has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Gingivitis. It is unclear if hyaluronic acid used in a mouthwash reduces gingivitis severity.
Login for details - Hemiplegic shoulder pain. It is unclear if topical hyaluronic acid is beneficial in patients with this condition.
Login for details - Intranasal surgery. It is unclear if topical hyaluronic acid irrigation improves recovery in patients after nasal surgery.
Login for details - Kashin-Beck disease. It is unclear if intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid is beneficial for reducing pain in patients with this condition.
Login for details - Otitis media. It is unclear if using intranasal hyaluronic acid solution is beneficial for otitis media in children.
Login for details - Rhinosinusitis. It is unclear if hyaluronic acid solution is beneficial for acute or chronic rhinosinusitis when used in an intranasal saline rinse.
Login for details - Urinary tract infections (UTIs). Oral and intravesical hyaluronic acid have been evaluated for the prevention of UTI in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear.
Login for details - Vaginal atrophy. It is unclear if topical hyaluronic acid is beneficial for improving symptoms of this condition.
Login for details - Wound healing. Small clinical studies show that topical hyaluronic acid and hyaluronic acid derivatives may improve the healing of various types of wounds.
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Hyaluronic acid works by acting as a cushion and lubricant in the joints and other tissues. In addition, it might affect the way the body responds to injury and may decrease inflammation.
When taken by mouth: Hyaluronic acid is LIKELY SAFE when used appropriately. Rarely, it may cause allergic reactions.
When applied to the skin: Hyaluronic acid is LIKELY SAFE when used appropriately. Rarely, it may cause allergic reactions.
When given as a shot: Hyaluronic acid is LIKELY SAFE when given as a shot into the joint by a healthcare provider. Hyaluronic acid can cause redness and soreness when injected into the joint.
When applied into the eye: Hyaluronic acid is LIKELY SAFE when used appropriately. Hyaluronic acid can increase eye pressure when injected into the eye. But this usually resolves within 48 to 72 hours.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: There isn't enough reliable information to know if hyaluronic acid is safe to use when pregnant. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if hyaluronic acid is safe to use when breast-feeding. Researchers do not know if it affects breast milk and what effect that might have on an infant. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Hardening of skin and connective tissue (scleroderma): Applying hyaluronic acid to the skin might make skin ulcers worse in people who have a condition called scleroderma. If you have scleroderma, don't use hyaluronic acid on your skin.
There are no known interactions with medications. Before taking this product, talk with your health professional if you take any medications.
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
There are no known interactions with foods.
The following doses have been studied in scientific research:
ADULTS
BY MOUTH:
- For aging skin: A specific product (GliSODin Skin Nutrients Advanced Anti-Aging Formula, Isocell North America Inc.) containing krill oil, sea buckthorn berry oil, cacao bean extract, and hyaluronic acid, has been used daily for 90 days.
- For osteoarthritis: A specific product (Oralvisc, Bioibérica) 80 mg has been used daily for 3 months.
- For dry eye: Eye drops (Hyalistil, Hyalein, New Hyaluni, Hyaluni, Visaid) containing 0.1% to 0.3% hyaluronic acid have been used 3-8 times daily.
- For swelling (inflammation) and sores inside the mouth (oral mucositis): Hyaluronic acid (Gelclair, Helsinn Healthcare SA) can be mixed with water and used as a mouth rinse.
- For aging skin: Healthcare providers can inject a hyaluronic acid product (Juvéderm Ultra Plus, Allergan) into skin wrinkles.
- For osteoarthritis: Healthcare providers can inject hyaluronic acid into the joint.
Acide Hyaluronique, Ácido Hialurónico, Glycosaminoglycan, Glycosaminoglycane, Hyaluran, Hyaluronan, Hyaluronate de Sodium, Hyaluronate Sodium, Hylan, Sodium Hyaluronate.
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