Skip to main content

Zilretta User Reviews & Ratings

Zilretta has an average rating of 5.9 out of 10 from a total of 55 reviews on Drugs.com. 44% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 43% reported a negative experience.

Condition Avg. Rating Reviews Compare
Osteoarthritis
5.9
55 reviews for Osteoarthritis 366 medications

Write a review

Reviews for Zilretta

  • ATa...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • April 14, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "For years, my pain management doctor tried different medicines, but all worked about 1 to 2 weeks. When a new pain management doctor entered the practice, she suggested that we try Zilretta. Pain was almost immediately gone, and it lasts for 2 months. Then I can manage the pain with Aleve for the next month. Zilretta has changed my life. I have been having the injections in my right knee for almost 2 years now. Have noticed no side effects."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
50 Report
  • Swa...
  • November 10, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "I am in the last stages of osteoarthritis in both knees. I’m pretty young to have knees as bad as I do (so my doctor says). I’m 52 and have been fighting osteoarthritis for 12 years now. I had Zilretta injections in January 2020, and it was amazing for the pain. I was pain-free for 3 months. My range of motion stayed the same, but I had no pain! The only negative thing is when the injections wore off, I had no warning of the pain coming back, it came back with a vengeance. I scheduled knee surgery for August and canceled because of the coronavirus. So today, I had Zilretta injections again to buy time until I feel safe to have surgery! These injections have been the only thing that works for me, and I’m so grateful to be pain-free even if it is only for 3 months!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
49 Report
  • DJA...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 3, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I have tried all available types of injections for my right knee, and I have had less and less effectiveness with each injection. Zilretta has been a miracle drug, as it has given me pain and swelling relief for two months. I am very active. I jog about 15-20 miles a week and walk about another 5 miles per week. Before Zilretta, I did it with pain and a limp - not now!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
45 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Kat...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 6, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "One day I was hobbling at work, walking with a cane. I was done! Some days I couldn’t get up out of a chair. My Dr. told me about Zilretta injections for both my knees. I was shocked my insurance covered it! Only $50 for both knees. Had both knees drained and injections with Zilretta. WOW! After 2 days of ice, I stood up and walked normally for the first time in 12 years, I had no knee pain at all. I had little to no swelling from the knees down. I have told everyone I know about Zilretta! So happy to be pain-free! Thank you!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
48 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 24, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "Since getting an injection of Zilretta after years of cortisone injections for bone on bone in my knees, my worse knee has gotten unbearable. I now not only have knee pain, but it feels like a rubber band breaking behind my kneecap and excruciating nerve pain down my whole left leg, even while sleeping. I don't recommend getting this shot. Because of it, I now will have to have my knee replaced sooner rather than later."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
40 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

Your review helps others make informed decisions.
Write a review
  • Anonymous
  • March 26, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I have bone on bone in both knees and have been in horrible pain for about a year. I have had cortisone injections in the past, with the last one only getting relief for a week. I was completely at my wits' end. I am only 58 years old and am trying to hold off on knee replacement surgery for as long as possible. My prayers have been answered with Zilretta, I had an injection in both knees 8 days ago and I feel like a new person. I pray the relief continues. I would recommend this to everyone suffering from knee pain."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
37 Report
  • Sus...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • September 13, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "I have had Zilretta injections in both of my knees. It is absolutely fantastic! I was pain-free the 1st day after my injection. I did not have any side effects. I can do things I haven't been able to do for years. Going up and down stairs is so much easier now. I can stand in one place for an extended period of time. I can kneel on the floor and play with my grandkids. I feel like a new person being pain-free. I would recommend anyone with osteoarthritis try Zilretta."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
35 Report

More FAQ

  • nuk...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 23, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I've had medial left knee pain for a while and tried different avenues of pain management, including hyaluronic acid injections. Zilretta is awesome! It took a good week for it to kick in, but I am now at one month, and the pain has subsided immensely. No side effects at all. I'm very active and play a lot of pickleball, so I'm a true test to the effectiveness of this drug."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
31 Report
  • Tag...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • September 19, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I also have bone-on-bone in my knee. I was using cortisone injections, and then the doctor told me about Zilretta. I got the injection in May, and by August, it was wearing off. I am in more pain now than ever before. It felt great at first, but WOW. I do not recommend this."

2 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
28 Report
  • Hav...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • May 26, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "The first set of injections kept me in pain and off of my feet for over a week. I've had to get the injections every 3 months instead of every 6 like my last medication. Every time it is the same thing, both knees end up swollen and painful for a week or longer. The effects of Zilretta are semi-beneficial for about 8 weeks. I've had a lot more pain, stiffness, and swelling in my knees since taking Zilretta. There are days that I can't fully straighten or bend my legs. The inflammation is bad, and my symptoms are becoming worse than they were before I started Zilretta. This is a serious concern. I'm glad that it is helping some people, but for me, the short 8 weeks of slight relief is not worth the pain and worsening of symptoms that I have for the rest of the time between injections."

4 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
29 Report
  • NeN...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • May 3, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "MAN!!! Where do I start? Both knees are shot, but I’m unable to do surgery at this time because of mother-in-law's broken hip and recent major surgery on my son, so we’re taking care of them. Zilretta is fantastic for my osteoarthritis, it works, and it lasts for about 3 months. I have been taking the injections for about 9 months. Before that, the doctor was doing steroid injections that lasted almost 2-3 weeks. Greatest product."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
28 Report
  • Mar...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 6, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I've had every knee shot for knee osteoarthritis, with no results. I've had moderate to severe knee pain for five years. I had my left knee injected two weeks ago and got immediate results. Pain-free! Yesterday, I had my right knee injected with the same results. Zilretta is amazing! Curious to see how long the shots will last."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
27 Report
  • M m...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 10, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "I have had two shots of Zilretta in my right knee. The shot lasts exactly 90 days. About 48 hours after receiving this shot, all pain is gone, and I feel like I have a brand new knee. But I have to fight with my Federal Blue Cross Blue Shield to pay for this shot. It is a great shot if you can schedule the shot exactly every 90 days. The company that manufactures this drug offers no discounts and no coupons or financial help. Even with insurance, this shot costs 240 dollars."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
21 Report
  • Jil...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 12, 2018

For Osteoarthritis "I got an injection in my right knee a month ago today (Dr. had a sample). I was a little worried about it containing steroids because I've previously had them worsen my mental health symptoms, but I didn't have too many problems with that this time. Of course, after the injection, my knee was sore and swollen, making it difficult to walk right for a few days. I noticed nasal congestion, which is one of the side effects. Since it's extended release, I expected the osteoarthritis pain and swelling in my knee to go down, at least a little bit over time. To date, it hasn't and has actually gotten worse. I've also noticed increased knee stiffness and leg spasms (feels like they're behind the knee cap) that I didn't have before. I was looking forward to this med providing much-needed relief, not causing issues. At this point, I'm not planning to get my left knee done. Just not the results I expected. Although I don't believe it's at all related, I will be fair and mention I also have fibromyalgia."

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
26 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • June 6, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "Some mild pain and inflammation relief, but that lasted just a little while. It's supposed to last a long time, but my knee is pretty much worse than before I started the Zilretta injection. I can't say if that's the natural progression or the cortisone sped it up. But I can say that the regular cortisone shot I got before Zilretta was way more effective. I would not recommend Zilretta."

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
21 Report
  • ano...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • April 2, 2019

For Osteoarthritis "I had high hopes for this injection after failed cortisone and other injections. I iced my knee several times a day. I have a bit of relief in my knee, but by the end of the day, I'm 'toast.' It has been one week since my injection. I'm glad others had success, however, it is not working for me."

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
18 Report
  • TOP...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • April 6, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "I had Zilretta injections several times in my left knee which was bone to bone from degenerative arthritis at age 73 and I am a big man of 200 pounds. First injection gave partial relief for about 9-10 weeks maximum and each consecutive dose less effective down to about 4 weeks of relief with last dose. A big problem is they would only give another injection after 90 days so waiting for the next dose meant a lot of pain between doses. I quickly realized it is pain management only and the degenerative condition gets worse as you do more activity on the knee with reduced pain. So surgery is inevitable. You might as well go ahead with TKR. Also, it is a steriod. Several of my injections were painful at injection time and fact was for me, the surgeon delayed my surgery by 120 days saying Zilretta, as a steriod, gave increased risk of infection if given close to surgery date. I would not do it again. I would opt for TKR as soon as pain of bone to bone appears. They do not tell all up front."

3 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
11 Report
  • Sun...
  • August 12, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "I got my first injection when I was 62 years old. It lasted for 10 months!! I am now 63 and just got a second injection today! My experience the first round was Amazing! I could walk, climb, play on the floor and even do Zumba again! Looking forward to the next 10 months of amazing mobility!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
11 Report
  • Kat...
  • November 3, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "Zilretta was a total disaster, I haven’t walked for a month. Felt sick within an hour after receiving Zilretta. I only hope this lasts the length Of the drug and doesn’t permanently damage my knees. THIS WAS NO MIRACLE. I’m a thousand times worse than I was."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
10 Report
  • BFH...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • September 7, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "I have been getting Zilretta injections in both knees for about 18 months, the early injections were lasting 11-12 weeks, now I get about 8 weeks of relief starting about the second day after the injection. I now schedule almost injections exactly 12 weeks apart, I wish I could get them every 8 weeks and not have to deal with the pain for 4 weeks waiting for the next injection. I am 43 and need both knees replaced, it stinks but I am holding off as long as I can. I have seen no side effects of Zilretta."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
8 Report
  • Joh...
  • August 28, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "I had an injection of Zilretta 3 years ago for arthritis in my right knee and so far I still am not experiencing pain. They tried cortisone and it didn’t work. I don’t know if three months is an estimate on how long it works but I’m going on 4 years and so far I am pain free."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
7 Report
  • DJA...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • March 14, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "Second injection relieved knee pain but not as good as first. The good results were less pain, more flexibility, and less swelling. The noticed side effects after the second shot were like an allergic reaction with moderate congestion, slight cough. My reaction immediately after receiving the injection was more noticeable than the first with flu like feelings for a few days. All in all the pain relief has been good but I am not sure about a third injection. It may be time to fix the problem rather than treat the symptoms."

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
9 Report
  • Pka...
  • July 16, 2021

For Osteoarthritis "Got first zilretta yesterday. No pain relief yesterday. Woke up today with almost no pain. So far best pain relief ever. My pain usually 4-7 Scale but today maybe 1 after doing errands and walking 3 stores. Praying it works for a few months."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
6 Report
  • MyK...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • December 4, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "Don’t bother with Zilretta. I have been getting conventional cortisone knee injections for several years - tried Zilretta in an attempt to reduce frequency of injections. Three weeks out and minimal relief compared to conventional cortisone. Now I have to wait several months before I can get regular cortisone again."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
6 Report
  • Dan...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 27, 2020

For Osteoarthritis "I had a shot of this medication in my knee and I have had severe leg cramps and we I asked the doctor about how long the side effects were going to last he said 3 to 4 days. At this point I can hardly walk.. I definitely would not recommend this drug. Additionally I believe Cortizone is better in this stuff. Good night cramps are unbearable I drink a lot of water to stay hydrated."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
7 Report
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.