SUPARTZ®
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Order Supartz® Online — Compare Sodium Hyaluronate Viscosupplementation Products
Licensed practitioners looking to buy Supartz® online will find both formulations available at Medical Spa Rx. Manufactured by Bioventus, Supartz® is indicated for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and comes in two dosing courses: the original five-injection Supartz® series and the reduced-course Supartz® FX. Medical Spa Rx offers secure checkout with individual and bulk ordering for licensed clinic procurement teams. Browse the formulations below to compare specifications and add directly to your cart.
About Supartz®
Supartz® is a sodium hyaluronate viscosupplement originally developed by Seikagaku Corporation in Tokyo, Japan, and distributed in the United States by Bioventus. It was among the earliest intra-articular hyaluronic acid products approved in the US for treating knee osteoarthritis, receiving FDA Premarket Approval under PMA P980044 in 2001 following randomized clinical trials conducted in Japan and the United States [4]. The product is also available as Supartz® FX, which contains the same active ingredient but is labeled for a three- to five-injection course [5].
Supartz® and Supartz® FX Product Range — Two Formulations, One Clinical Purpose
The Supartz® portfolio comprises two products, Supartz® and Supartz® FX, both containing the same highly purified, avian-derived sodium hyaluronate at 25 mg per 2.5 mL syringe, a concentration of 10 mg/mL. Both are indicated for knee osteoarthritis and help restore the viscoelastic properties of synovial fluid, improving joint lubrication and reducing pain. The difference between them is the treatment schedule and nothing else [1][5].
Supartz® is administered as five weekly intra-articular injections; Supartz® FX is labeled for a three- to five-injection course using the same active substance [5]. That structure lets healthcare professionals match the protocol to patient adherence profiles rather than to product availability.
Knee Osteoarthritis — Clinical Indications and Patient Selection for Supartz®
Supartz® and Supartz® FX are indicated for treating knee pain associated with osteoarthritis in patients who have not achieved adequate relief from conservative therapies including acetaminophen, exercise, or physical therapy [1][4]. By supplementing depleted synovial HA, Supartz® restores the joint’s capacity to function as a lubricant and shock absorber, helping the knee move more smoothly under the demands of daily activity. Knee shots such as Supartz® shots are considered at the point where those conservative measures have been tried and have not delivered adequate relief.
Suitable candidates include adults with symptomatic knee OA experiencing persistent pain during weight-bearing activities, prolonged standing, or repetitive joint loading, including jogging, tennis, or heavy lifting [1]. Activities that put stress on the joint are worth documenting at assessment, since knee pain in patients with joint inflammation responds variably. Although sodium hyaluronate has been investigated in other joints, including osteoarthritis of the foot, both Supartz® products are approved specifically for the knee [4]. Licensed practitioners looking to buy orthopedic injections for knee OA management can compare Supartz® options alongside other viscosupplements in the Medical Spa Rx catalog.
Supartz® should not be administered to patients with known hypersensitivity to avian proteins, feathers, or egg products, given its avian derivation, or to those with active infection or skin disease at the intended injection site [1][5]. Practices that also buy dermal fillers will not have encountered this screening step there, since aesthetic HA products are bacterially fermented as a rule.
Why Licensed Professionals Rely on Supartz® for Viscosupplementation
- Flexible treatment options: Supartz® FX allows clinicians to tailor the injection series within a labeled three- to five-injection course, while the original five-injection product remains available where a structured multi-visit protocol suits the clinical picture [1][5]. Practices that buy Supartz® wholesale can stock a single brand and still cover both adherence profiles.
- Extensive clinical track record: As one of the earliest FDA-approved intra-articular HA products, Supartz® carries an evidence base built over more than two decades. Pooled RCT evidence has demonstrated statistically significant reductions in knee pain and improvements in joint function compared to baseline, and repeated treatment courses have not increased the frequency or severity of adverse events or the risk of joint infection [2][3].
Bioventus — The Company Behind Supartz®
Bioventus is a US-based orthopedic biologics company headquartered in Durham, North Carolina, operating internationally across joint health, bone healing, and wound care alongside the Supartz® range. They assumed US distribution rights for Supartz® from Smith & Nephew, partnering with the original developer, Seikagaku Corporation, to maintain the product’s established manufacturing standards and global supply chain [1]. Seikagaku provides the formulation expertise; Bioventus manages the US commercial and regulatory relationship.
Supartz® Distribution Network — Where to Buy Supartz® Wholesale
Supartz® FX is distributed throughout the United States via authorized orthopedic and specialty healthcare distributors. Internationally, products developed through the Seikagaku and Bioventus partnership are available in numerous markets [1].
Medical Spa Rx provides licensed practitioners with a secure platform to buy Supartz® wholesale or individually, with an add-to-cart ordering flow for both single purchases and bulk procurement. When buying online through Medical Spa Rx, practitioners can compare formulations, select quantities, and complete checkout through our encrypted platform. Shipping is arranged to the verified practice address on the account.
Supartz® injection cost per course differs between the two formulations, since a five-injection series consumes more units than a three-injection one at the same per-syringe price, which is worth modeling before committing to a standing order. Check for wholesale buying options and volume-tier pricing by logging in or contacting the Medical Spa Rx procurement team directly.
Clinics that buy hyaluronic acid dermal fillers alongside orthopedic stock order both through the same account.
Best Supartz® Products Compared — What to Buy
Supartz® is available in two products sharing the same highly purified, avian-derived sodium hyaluronate active ingredient, differing only in labeled injection course length.
Supartz® (2.5 mL, five-injection series) is the original product and the formulation whose clinical evidence base supported the 2001 FDA PMA approval [4]. The five-injection weekly course provides a staged course of viscosupplementation, suited to patients for whom a structured multi-visit protocol is clinically appropriate. Clinical trials have demonstrated statistically significant reductions in knee pain and improvements in joint function compared to baseline [1][2]. Licensed practitioners can purchase Supartz® online through Medical Spa Rx with bulk pricing available to verified buyers.
Supartz® FX (2.5 mL, three- to five-injection course) contains the same formulation as the original, with the active ingredient derived from chicken combs [4][5]. Supartz® FX is the active commercial product name currently marketed by Bioventus in the United States, and verified licensed buyers can order wholesale through Medical Spa Rx. Supartz® FX viscosupplementation for osteoarthritis is billed under the same HCPCS code as the original product, which simplifies claims for practices stocking both.
Supartz® Mechanism of Action — Sodium Hyaluronate and Synovial Fluid Science
In a healthy knee joint, hyaluronic acid is a natural component of synovial fluid acting as a lubricant and shock absorber in the joint. In osteoarthritis, both the concentration and molecular weight of endogenous HA decline, impairing these mechanical functions and contributing to the pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility characteristic of the condition [1].
Supartz® addresses this through viscosupplementation. An intra-articular injection replenishes the depleted HA, restoring synovial fluid viscoelasticity and helping the knee to move smoothly under load [1][5]. Beyond mechanical lubrication, research suggests intra-articular sodium hyaluronate may interact with chondrocyte and synoviocyte receptors and influence pain signaling within the joint, though these mechanisms of action remain under investigation.
Administration Guide — Supartz® Injection Protocol
Supartz® and Supartz® FX are administered by intra-articular injection directly into the synovial space of the affected knee under sterile aseptic technique. Any joint effusion present should be aspirated before injection to optimize treatment outcomes and HA distribution within the joint [1][5].
Supartz® is typically administered as five once-weekly injections; Supartz® FX is labeled for a three- to five-injection course. Injections should be performed by appropriately trained healthcare professionals. A nurse practitioner may administer Supartz® where intra-articular injection falls within their authorized scope of practice, and practitioners should confirm applicable state-specific regulations before proceeding [5].
Following each injection, patients should avoid strenuous weight-bearing activities including jogging, tennis, heavy lifting, and prolonged standing on your feet for approximately 48 hours. The product does not provide immediate pain relief; clinical improvement generally develops over several weeks as treatment progresses [1]. As for how long Supartz® injections last, relief extends up to six months in many patients following a complete course [3].
Supartz® Regulatory Clearance, Licensing, and Insurance
Supartz® and Supartz® FX are regulated in the United States as Class III medical devices [4]. As classified medical devices, both follow a regulatory pathway relevant to procurement, clinical documentation, and patient communication.
Supartz® Medicare Coverage
Medicare Part B and various private commercial insurers cover HCPCS code J7321, though exact reimbursement criteria are contractor-, policy-, and region-dependent [4][5]. Coverage generally requires documentation of a confirmed knee OA diagnosis, evidence of failure of conservative therapy, and administration consistent with the labeled regimen. Practitioners should verify current Local Coverage Determination requirements and per-patient eligibility with their Medicare Administrative Contractor before proceeding.
Supartz® Private Insurance Coverage
Coverage varies by insurer. Many commercial health plans cover viscosupplementation when established clinical criteria are met; others require prior authorization or step therapy. Verify patient-specific eligibility and reimbursement requirements before treatment.
Comparing Supartz® Sodium Hyaluronate Injections Against Alternatives
HYALGAN® vs Supartz®
Both are avian-derived, non-cross-linked sodium hyaluronate viscosupplements, historically administered as five-injection weekly courses, which makes this the closest comparison on the page. Molecular weight is the substantive difference: HYALGAN® spans approximately 500,000 to 730,000 Daltons against Supartz®’s 620,000 to 1,170,000, a broader range with a higher upper limit [1]. Practices that carry both can buy HYALGAN® through Medical Spa Rx.
SYNVISC® vs Supartz®
Cross-linking is the dividing line. SYNVISC® contains cross-linked hylan G-F 20 derived from avian tissue, available as a three-injection series or as single-injection SYNVISC-ONE®, where Supartz® uses non-cross-linked sodium hyaluronate across five [1][3]. Practices that buy SYNVISC® for its cross-linked profile should note that local injection reactions have been reported more frequently with cross-linked hylan products than with non-cross-linked formulations such as Supartz®.
ORTHOVISC® vs Supartz®
ORTHOVISC® is bacterial fermentation-derived, non-cross-linked HA at 1,000,000 to 2,900,000 Daltons, higher than Supartz®’s range, administered over three to four weekly injections [1]. Its non-avian origin makes it suitable for patients with avian protein sensitivities for whom Supartz® is contraindicated, which is why clinics that buy ORTHOVISC® typically hold it alongside rather than instead of an avian product.
EUFLEXXA® vs Supartz®
EUFLEXXA® is a non-avian, non-cross-linked sodium hyaluronate produced through bacterial fermentation at 2,400,000 to 3,600,000 Daltons, administered as three weekly injections [1]. Unlike Supartz® it carries no avian protein contraindication. Clinics comparing the two can buy EUFLEXXA® for patients who cannot receive avian-derived products.
MONOVISC® vs Supartz®
MONOVISC® is a cross-linked hyaluronic acid given as a single intra-articular injection, completing the full course in one visit against Supartz®’s five [1]. For patients prioritizing scheduling convenience or unlikely to complete a multi-visit series, that difference outweighs any formulation comparison. Practices stocking both can buy MONOVISC® from the same catalog.
Supartz® Shots Safety Profile — Side Effects and Tolerability
Supartz® has a well-established safety profile supported by randomized clinical trials and extensive post-marketing experience. A systematic review involving more than 7,400 patients confirmed that repeated treatment courses did not increase the frequency or severity of adverse events and were associated with a very low risk of joint infection [3]. The most common side effects of Supartz® injections are injection-site reactions, meaning pain, swelling, and warmth at the treated knee, which are generally transient and resolve without intervention [1][3].
Some patients ask if Supartz® can cause hypertension, but it is not a commonly recognized adverse effect in the reviewed clinical safety literature, as the sodium hyaluronate acts locally within the intra-articular space [1]. Supartz® is also not a steroid: it contains sodium hyaluronate only and works by restoring synovial fluid viscoelasticity rather than producing the anti-inflammatory hormonal effects associated with corticosteroid injections. Review the full Supartz® IFU for complete information on contraindications, precautions, and adverse events before administering treatment.
Supartz® Regulatory Status at a Glance
Both products are classified under FDA product code MOZ, covering intra-articular hyaluronic acid devices [4]. Supartz® is manufactured by Seikagaku Corporation in Tokyo, Japan, and distributed in the United States by Bioventus Inc. Outside the US, Seikagaku’s sodium hyaluronate products have been available since 1987 across Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East [1]. For US billing, Supartz® FX is assigned HCPCS code J7321 [4][5].
FAQs
What is Supartz® used for?
Supartz® is indicated for treating pain in symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee in patients who have not responded adequately to conservative non-pharmacologic therapies and simple analgesics such as acetaminophen [1][4]. It functions as a lubricant and shock absorber in the joint, supplementing degraded synovial fluid and helping the knee move more smoothly under load.
How does Supartz® work?
Supartz® replenishes intra-articular hyaluronic acid, restoring the viscoelasticity of synovial fluid that declines in osteoarthritic joints [1]. The sodium hyaluronate is structurally identical to naturally occurring hyaluronan and acts mechanically within the joint rather than through systemic pharmacological absorption.
What is the difference between Supartz® and Supartz® FX?
Both contain the same active substance: 25 mg of purified sodium hyaluronate in 2.5 mL at 1.0% concentration, with a molecular weight range of 620,000 to 1,170,000 Daltons [1][5]. The difference is the injection course. The original Supartz® is administered over five weekly injections; Supartz® FX is labeled for a three- to five-injection course. There is no chemical difference between them.
What is Supartz® made of?
Supartz® is composed of highly purified sodium hyaluronate extracted from chicken combs [1][5]. It contains no cross-linking agents and is supplied as a sterile, non-pyrogenic solution in phosphate-buffered saline.
Is Supartz® a steroid?
No. Sodium hyaluronate is a naturally occurring polysaccharide with no corticosteroid activity [1]. Practitioners and patients should not conflate the mechanism or side-effect profile of Supartz® with that of intra-articular corticosteroid injections.
How long before patients see results from Supartz® injections?
Onset is typically gradual. Clinical evidence indicates meaningful improvement generally emerges over the course of the treatment series, with many patients noticing benefit within several weeks of completing the full injection course [1][2]. Results vary between individuals.
How long do Supartz® injections last?
Published clinical evidence supports pain relief and improved function lasting up to six months following a complete treatment course [1][2]. Individual responses vary and some patients require retreatment after this period.
Does Medicare cover Supartz®?
Medicare Part B and various private commercial insurers cover Supartz® FX under HCPCS code J7321, though exact reimbursement criteria are contractor-, policy-, and region-dependent [4][5]. Coverage generally requires documentation of a confirmed knee OA diagnosis, failure of conservative therapy, and administration per the labeled regimen. Verify current coverage criteria with your Medicare Administrative Contractor and confirm per-patient eligibility before proceeding.
Can a nurse practitioner administer Supartz®?
Yes, where intra-articular injection falls within the nurse practitioner’s authorized scope of practice. Scope varies by state, so confirm applicable state-specific regulations before proceeding.
Can Supartz® cause hypertension?
Hypertension is not a commonly recognized adverse effect in the reviewed clinical safety literature, as the sodium hyaluronate acts locally within the intra-articular space and is not associated with systemic cardiovascular effects [1]. Practitioners with patient-specific concerns should refer to the full product IFU.
What are the common side effects of Supartz® injections?
The most commonly reported are local injection-site reactions: pain, warmth, and swelling at the injection site [1][3]. These are generally mild and short-lived, resolving without intervention in most cases. Frequency and severity do not increase with repeated treatment courses based on available post-market safety data.
Trying to buy Supartz® sodium hyaluronate products online?
Medical Spa Rx gives licensed healthcare professionals a secure platform to purchase Supartz® online, with both Supartz® and Supartz® FX available in individual units or bulk quantities through a streamlined add-to-cart checkout. Whether supplying a single practice or managing procurement across multiple clinic locations, practitioners can order wholesale and access volume pricing through their account, with shipping to the verified practice address. Contact the Medical Spa Rx team for volume-tier details or first-time account setup.
Resources
- Bronstone A, Neary JT, Lambert TH, Dasa V. Supartz (Sodium Hyaluronate) for the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis: A Review of Efficacy and Safety. Clinical Medicine Insights: Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2019. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6463231/
- Curran MP. Hyaluronic acid (Supartz®): a review of its use in osteoarthritis of the knee. Drugs & Aging. 2010. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20964466/
- Bannuru RR, Brodie CR, Sullivan MC, McAlindon TE. Safety of Repeated Injections of Sodium Hyaluronate (SUPARTZ) for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cartilage. 2016;7(4):322-332. doi:10.1177/1947603516642271. Cartilage. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27688841/
- S. Food and Drug Administration. Premarket Approval (PMA) P980044 — SUPARTZ FX. FDA PMA Database. Last Updated 06/29/2026. www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfpma/pma.cfm?id=P980044
- National Library of Medicine. SUPARTZ FX sodium hyaluronate (M717715644440). AccessGUDID. www.accessgudid.nlm.nih.gov/devices/M717715644440
The content on this page is intended for licensed medical professionals and is provided for informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional clinical judgment.
