An enzyme that helps injected fluids and medicines spread and absorb
Hyaluronidase
An enzyme used to help other injected fluids or medicines spread and absorb more easily under the skin or into tissues.
What is Hyaluronidase?
Hyaluronidase is an enzyme used as a helper, or spreading agent, rather than a treatment in its own right. It temporarily loosens a substance in the tissues so that other injected fluids or medicines spread and are absorbed more easily, for example with local anaesthetics or when giving fluids under the skin. It is also used to disperse some complications from cosmetic dermal fillers that are made of hyaluronic acid. It is given by a healthcare professional. The main concerns are local reactions where it is given and, occasionally, allergic reactions.
Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Hyaluronidase — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.
What it is
Hyaluronidase is an enzyme medicine that acts as a spreading agent. Tissues contain a jelly-like substance called hyaluronic acid that normally limits how far fluids spread. Hyaluronidase temporarily breaks this down, so other injected fluids or medicines can spread and be absorbed more readily. It is used in several settings: to help a local anaesthetic spread (for example in eye surgery), to help fluids given under the skin be absorbed, and to dissolve and disperse certain problems caused by hyaluronic-acid dermal fillers. It is an adjunct, meaning it is used together with something else rather than on its own, and it is given by a healthcare professional.
How it works
Hyaluronidase breaks down hyaluronic acid, the jelly-like substance between cells that normally acts as a barrier and holds tissues together. By temporarily thinning this barrier, it lets injected fluids and medicines spread further and be taken up by the body more quickly. This is useful when a local anaesthetic needs to spread evenly, when fluids are given under the skin and need to be absorbed, or when a hyaluronic-acid filler needs to be dissolved because it has caused a lump, unevenness or, rarely, a more serious problem. The effect is temporary, as the body restores its own hyaluronic acid afterwards.
Company & origin
Originated / developed by: Specialist manufacturer.
An enzyme used in the UK as an aid to help other injected fluids and medicines spread and be absorbed, and to disperse some filler-related problems.
Practical use
How to take Hyaluronidase
General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.
- It is given by a healthcare professional, usually mixed with or alongside the fluid or medicine it is helping to spread.
- It is used as an aid to another treatment, or to dissolve a hyaluronic-acid filler, rather than on its own.
- Tell the professional about any allergies before it is used, as allergic reactions can occur.
- Report any unusual swelling, redness, pain or signs of an allergic reaction at or around the injection site.
- Follow any specific aftercare advice you are given, particularly when it is used to disperse filler problems.
Weighing it up
Advantages & disadvantages of Hyaluronidase
Advantages
- Helps other injected fluids and medicines spread and be absorbed more easily.
- Allows local anaesthetics and fluids given under the skin to work more evenly.
- Can be used to dissolve and disperse certain problems caused by hyaluronic-acid dermal fillers.
Disadvantages
- It is a helper rather than a treatment in its own right, so it is used with something else.
- Can cause local reactions where it is given, such as redness, swelling or discomfort.
- Allergic reactions can occur, so it must be given by trained professionals.
Practical use
Good to know
The main thing to understand is that hyaluronidase is a helper rather than a treatment in its own right: it is almost always used to make another injected fluid or medicine work better, or to dissolve a hyaluronic-acid filler, rather than being given alone for a condition. Because it makes things spread, the healthcare professional considers carefully where and how it is given. The most common issues are local reactions at the injection site, such as redness, swelling or discomfort, and occasionally allergic reactions, so it is given by trained professionals who can recognise and manage these. When used to dissolve filler complications, it is given by an appropriately trained practitioner, and a test for allergy may sometimes be considered. It is a short-acting aid rather than something with a lasting effect of its own.
Who should not take it / use with caution
- People who have had a serious allergic reaction to hyaluronidase should not be given it.
- It is avoided being injected directly into or around an infected or inflamed area, as it could spread infection.
- It is used with care, by appropriately trained professionals, who consider allergy and the site of injection.
Monitoring
- Watching the injection site for local or allergic reactions during and after use.
- Checking that the fluid, medicine or filler it is helping with responds as intended.
- Reviewing any aftercare, particularly when used to disperse filler complications.
Side effects
- Local reactions at the injection site, such as redness, swelling, warmth or discomfort.
- Occasionally allergic-type reactions, which is why allergy history matters.
- Rarely, more serious allergic reactions, which trained professionals are prepared to manage.
Key interactions
- Because it makes things spread, it can affect how nearby injected medicines behave, so it is used thoughtfully alongside them.
- Tell the professional about all your medicines and allergies before it is used.
- Some medicines may alter how it works, so the professional takes your treatments into account.
Available as: A powder made up into a solution for injection, given by a healthcare professional.
Answers
Hyaluronidase: frequently asked questions
What is hyaluronidase used for?
It is an enzyme used as a helper, or spreading agent, to make other injected fluids or medicines spread and absorb more easily, and to dissolve some problems caused by hyaluronic-acid dermal fillers.
Is it a treatment on its own?
No; it is an adjunct, meaning it is almost always used together with another injected fluid or medicine, or to dissolve a filler, rather than being given alone for a condition.
How does it make things spread?
It temporarily breaks down hyaluronic acid, the jelly-like substance in the tissues that normally limits how far fluids spread, so injected fluids and medicines can spread and be absorbed more readily.
Can it dissolve dermal fillers?
Yes; it can dissolve and disperse certain problems caused by hyaluronic-acid dermal fillers, and this should be done by an appropriately trained practitioner.
What are the main risks?
The most common issues are local reactions where it is given, such as redness and swelling, and occasionally allergic reactions, so it is given by trained professionals who can manage these.
Authoritative sources
- BNF
- NICE CKS
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