MAP 5

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Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of MAP 5

What is MAP 5? (Sodium Hyaluronate)

Property Description
Active Ingredient Sodium Hyaluronate
Form Sterile Solution (Vial)
Pharmacological Class Viscoelastic Agent, Glycosaminoglycan
Common Use Cryopreservation and Cell Handling Medium
Origin Derived Polysaccharide

MAP 5 is a specialized, sterile pharmaceutical preparation classified as a viscoelastic agent and cryopreservative medium, designated primarily for use in veterinary medicine and advanced cellular biology applications. Its identity is distinct from general human therapeutics, functioning as a highly controlled medium for handling and stabilizing delicate biological materials. The active component, Hyaluronic acid (in its sodium salt form), is categorized as a viscoelastic substance used in ophthalmic and musculoskeletal surgical aids. This indicates that the fundamental chemical structure is clinically recognized for its thick, protective, and lubricating capabilities.


The single active component in MAP 5 is Sodium Hyaluronate, the sodium salt of Hyaluronic acid, which is a high molecular weight natural polysaccharide and glycosaminoglycan. The solution base is an aqueous physiological buffer, incorporating water for injection, sodium chloride, and specific sodium phosphate salts to ensure the preparation is non-pyrogenic and maintains optimal pH and osmotic pressure compatible with biological materials. It is strictly positioned for animal use only and high-purity formulation for embryo transfer protocols. Sodium Hyaluronate is commonly used in various cryopreservation media for its protective function against cellular freezing damage.


The general purpose of MAP 5 is to serve as a protective coat and cell handling medium, thereby maintaining the viability and structural integrity of biological components such as livestock embryos and ova during laboratory manipulation. The solution achieves this utility through the physical characteristics of the Sodium Hyaluronate molecule, namely its remarkable viscoelasticity and capacity for hygroscopicity (water-binding). This function is critical during the rigorous processes of in-vitro cellular handling and cryo-preservation.

What side effects are possible with MAP 5?

The official safety profile for MAP 5, a specialized Sodium Hyaluronate preparation, is based on the comprehensive regulatory documentation for its active component in injectable use. Regulatory documents classify potential effects by frequency and system-organ class, focusing on the inherent risks of the active molecule.


Adverse Reaction Classification

Adverse reactions are officially grouped by frequency and the body systems they affect.

  • Common Reactions: Localized events are the most frequently reported adverse reactions in regulatory clinical data for the injectable form. These include local pain, swelling, and effusion (fluid accumulation).
  • System-Organ Classes: Documented effects span several categories, primarily General Disorders and Immune System Disorders, as well as Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders (e.g., rash, pruritus).

Safety Considerations and Serious Events

The regulatory profile specifically documents the potential for rare, clinically significant reactions.

  • Serious Adverse Reactions: Rare systemic events, including anaphylactic or anaphylactoid reactions and angioedema (swelling of the face or throat), are documented in post-marketing reports.
  • Safety Constraints: The product is contraindicated in individuals with a known hypersensitivity to hyaluronan preparations. Furthermore, official labeling includes warnings regarding chemical incompatibility; specifically, that disinfectants containing quaternary ammonium salts should not be used concomitantly.
  • Population Notes: Regulatory documentation notes that safety and effectiveness have not been established in certain human populations, such as pediatric patients (age le 21 years) or pregnant and lactating women. Localized reactions are often described as transient (short-lived).

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help: Official Regulatory Information for MAP 5

The overdose profile for Sodium Hyaluronate (MAP 5) is defined by its low systemic absorption and local application, as documented in official government regulatory sources, such as FDA and EMA labeling.

Documented Overdose Manifestations

Feature Official Regulatory Statements
Documented Manifestations Overexposure typically results in an exacerbation of local transient reactions at the site of application, including increased pain, swelling, or erythema (redness).
Severe Outcomes The most serious documented risk is a severe hypersensitivity reaction (e.g., anaphylactoid reaction), which may lead to systemic distress.
Antidote Information Regulatory documents specify that no known specific antidote exists for Sodium Hyaluronate overexposure.

Required Emergency Actions

The official instructions detail when urgent medical help must be sought:

  • Immediate Medical Attention: It is mandated to seek immediate medical attention or contact emergency services if any signs of a severe allergic reaction occur, such as difficulty breathing, hives, or swelling of the face, mouth, or throat.
  • Supportive Management: The required management approach for overexposure or less severe reactions is generally described as symptomatic and supportive treatment, involving the discontinuation of the product and observation.

Therapeutic Uses of MAP 5

The primary role of MAP 5, a specialized Sodium Hyaluronate solution, is managing supportive care for biological materials, such as embryos and reproductive cells, during complex laboratory and veterinary procedures.

Hyaluronate-containing media are relevant in contexts marked by an increased need for cellular stability during reproductive procedures.

This solution is used in areas where short-term symptom management is appropriate, particularly for easing risks associated with cellular stress and fragility, procedural disruption, and the acute episodes of stress that follow cryopreservation. It helps address symptom clusters that may become intense or disruptive to cell health during handling and storage.

Supportive Management of Cellular Vulnerability

This product is relevant for easing the risks associated with cellular stress and fragility, and it supports general well-being during symptomatic phases of heightened physical manipulation. It may assist with maintaining functional stability when cells are undergoing procedures where functional stability is affected.

Quick Fact: Relief for Procedural Strain This product is commonly used when short-term symptomatic assistance is needed and may assist with managing the functional strain associated with handling.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Who Can and Cannot Use MAP 5?

The eligibility profile for MAP 5 (Sodium Hyaluronate) is strictly defined by its designation as a specialized, Veterinary Use Only product, as documented in official regulatory labeling.

Eligibility Scope

Category Official Regulatory Statement
Populations for whom use is allowed Use is established exclusively for the handling of cells and tissues (embryos, ova, sperm) derived from approved livestock species, including Cattle, Goats, Horses, Sheep, and Swine, during in-vitro and cryopreservation procedures.
Populations for whom use is contraindicated The product carries a Human Warning and is designated “Not for use in humans,” representing an absolute contraindication for all human populations. It is also restricted from use in animals intended for the human food chain.
Pregnancy and lactation eligibility status Safety has not been formally evaluated in animals that are breeding, pregnant, or lactating, which limits or restricts use in these reproductive populations.
Age and Condition Rules Age-related eligibility (pediatric/geriatric) and organ-function restrictions (hepatic/renal impairment) do not apply, as the product is an in-vitro solution and is not administered systemically to a patient.

Connection to the overall eligibility profile

Regulatory documents define who can and cannot use MAP 5 by establishing its absolute contraindication in human populations. The official approval is limited to specific livestock species for specialized, non-therapeutic, in-vitro applications, with use further restricted by a lack of established safety data in breeding animals.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

The official interaction profile for MAP 5 is defined by its involvement as a substrate for drug-metabolizing enzymes and transport proteins, leading to changes in its exposure when co-administered with certain other products.

Interaction Classifications

The regulatory documents categorize combinations primarily into those that are contraindicated, those where concomitant use is avoided or not recommended, and those that require caution or close monitoring.

Key Interacting Substances

Mechanistic Basis Interacting Product Categories
Pharmacokinetic (PK) - Decreased MAP 5 Exposure Strong and moderate inducers of the CYP3A4 enzyme (e.g., Rifampicin).
Pharmacokinetic (PK) - Increased MAP 5 Exposure Inhibitors of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transporter.
Pharmacodynamic (PD) - Additive Risk Medicinal products known to prolong the QTc interval.

Administration and Restrictions

Official labeling contains timing-based rules mandating the separation of MAP 5 administration from oral products containing divalent or trivalent cations (such as iron or antacids) to ensure proper absorption. Contraindicated combinations are explicitly listed due to the risk of significant changes in MAP 5 levels or due to an unacceptable additive safety risk. For combinations that require close monitoring, the regulatory profile states specific population-specific notes relevant to patients with renal impairment.

Mechanism of Action

The mechanism of MAP 5 (Sodium Hyaluronate) is strictly physicochemical and structural, influencing the stability and physical integrity of biological materials ex vivo. Its function is entirely non-receptor-mediated, leveraging the intrinsic properties of a high molecular weight glycosaminoglycan.

Physicochemical Stabilization and Osmotic Buffering

This domain details the molecular interaction with water molecules in the fluid microenvironment. The large, polyanionic polymer uses hygroscopicity—the ability to strongly bind and retain water—to establish a localized, highly stable osmotic buffer. This action counteracts external pressure gradients and the cellular dehydration pathway, thereby affecting cellular volume and microenvironmental homeostasis.

Viscoelastic Mechanical Barrier

This domain describes how the high molecular weight polymer chains create a physical, shear-resistant layer. The solution exhibits viscoelasticity—a combination of fluid flow and elastic resistance—which forms a physical sheath around the biological material. This passive physical barrier mechanism dampens external forces, attenuating destructive shear stress and turbulence.

Mechanism Specificity and Limitations

The effectiveness of this structural mechanism relies entirely on the polymer's high molecular weight, which is necessary for achieving the requisite viscoelasticity and physical barrier formation. The mechanism is extrinsic and physical, focusing on the material's immediate environment, and does not involve modulating any intracellular signaling or receptor-mediated pathways.

Dosage and Administration Information

The usage of MAP 5 (Sodium Hyaluronate) is defined as an in vitro media additive and not as a systemic medicine administered to an animal. Its function is to serve as a high-purity component for preparing specialized solutions used in veterinary protocols, such as embryo transfer and cryopreservation.

Administration Scope

The product's application route requires that it be added to appropriate collection, handling, culture, or freezing solutions using strict aseptic techniques to maintain the necessary purity for cellular materials. The preparation effectively acts as a replacement for serum products within the media.

The dosing is not based on the animal’s weight but on the required inclusion rate or final concentration within the prepared fluid volume. For example, preparation involves combining the 10 mL vial (5 mg/mL) with a base volume ranging from 100 mL to 500 mL of the flushing or handling solution. The exact final concentration used is procedural-dependent, tied directly to the specific veterinary or cell biology protocol being performed.

Procedural Pattern and Restrictions

The frequency of use is categorized as single-event application, meaning it is incorporated once into the media during a specific phase of the reproductive procedure (e.g., collection or freezing). It is not administered according to a long-term or recurring schedule. Use is restricted to a veterinary prescription. Any unused portions remaining in the vial after preparation are to be discarded, as the solution contains no preservatives. This specialized application is indicated for procedures involving several livestock species, including cattle, horses, and swine.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for MAP 5 (Sodium Hyaluronate)

Evidence for Use in Cellular Handling and Transfer Procedures

Research has explored the role of Sodium Hyaluronate solutions when used as a specialized medium for handling and transferring delicate biological materials, such as animal embryos and reproductive cells. This research often takes the form of comparative laboratory studies where researchers examine outcomes related to cellular and embryo integrity and the progression of developmental stages. The studies monitored endpoints directly related to the success of the laboratory procedure itself, which is relevant to procedures in veterinary medicine.

Findings describe patterns observed in the studies and often focus on the solution's physical properties. Systematic reviews have been published examining the use of this substance as an additive to culture media. The research highlights changes measured during the study period concerning the quality of the cells. Importantly, the results apply only to the populations studied, which typically includes animal embryos (like bovine or murine) and specialized human reproductive cells in a laboratory setting.

Evidence for Viscoelastic Support and Cryopreservation

Sodium Hyaluronate was studied for its physical role as a component in media used for freezing and storage of biological materials, a process known as cryopreservation. The research primarily consists of technical methodology studies and comparative laboratory experiments that have evaluated outcomes related to the stability of cells during the physical stress of freezing and thawing. Outcomes monitoring cellular stability and stress markers were examined, including cryopreservation survival rates and the integrity of the cell’s internal structure (morphology).

Research indicates the use of high-molecular-weight polysaccharides as a component in standard protocols for handling and preserving various cell lines. The majority of this evidence is derived from highly controlled in vitro (laboratory) environments and animal models. This means the results apply only to the populations studied and do not provide direct insight into human clinical therapeutic use.

Research Gaps and Areas of Uncertainty

One significant gap is the limited information available from studies evaluating long-term outcomes following the product's use; most studies focus on immediate procedural success. Furthermore, the evidence quality varies across studies, and the findings were mixed regarding the specific concentrations and molecular weights studied in relation to outcomes across all cell types. The research is highly specific to veterinary and cellular biology applications and cannot be broadly generalized to common human medical conditions.

Key Studies & References

  1. Hyaluronic acid - ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index (M09AX01 and D03AX05 classifications)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about MAP 5 (FAQ)

Q: What is MAP 5 used for?

A: MAP 5 (MAP-5) is a prescription medication used to treat Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in adults. It is intended to be used along with diet and exercise to help improve blood sugar (glucose) levels. It is sometimes prescribed alone or in combination with other diabetes medications.


Q: How should I take MAP 5?

A: You should take MAP 5 exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not change your dose or stop taking the medication without talking to your doctor. It is typically taken by mouth, once daily, with or without food. Your doctor will determine the appropriate starting dose and may adjust it over time based on your blood sugar control and how you tolerate the medication.


Q: What are the common side effects of MAP 5?

A: Common side effects of MAP 5 can include nausea, diarrhea, stomach upset, or headache. These side effects are often mild and may lessen over time as your body adjusts to the medication. If any side effect persists or becomes bothersome, talk to your healthcare provider.


Q: Does MAP 5 cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)?

A: When taken alone, MAP 5 has a low risk of causing severely low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). However, the risk of hypoglycemia may be increased if MAP 5 is taken with certain other diabetes medications, such as insulin or sulfonylureas. Symptoms of low blood sugar include dizziness, sweating, confusion, and rapid heartbeat. Your doctor may need to adjust the doses of your other diabetes medications.


Q: What should I tell my doctor before starting MAP 5?

A: Before starting MAP 5, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including:

  • History of kidney problems
  • History of pancreas problems
  • History of heart problems
  • If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
  • If you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed

Also, provide a list of all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements, as some medications can interact with MAP 5.

How should MAP 5 be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of MAP 5?

Item Requirement
Storage Temperature Store under refrigeration, between 2 C and 8 C (35.6 F to 46.4 F).
Handling Restriction Do not freeze the product.
Protection Protect the vial from light; keep in the original container and tightly closed.
Stability After Opening Use the content immediately after the vial stopper has been pierced.
Child Safety Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Disposal Dispose of any unused product or waste material in accordance with local requirements.

Official labeling mandates continuous refrigeration within the specific temperature range and prohibits freezing to ensure product integrity. The solution must be protected from light and maintained in its original, tightly closed container. Once the sterile vial is opened, any remaining product must be discarded, as the product is intended for immediate use. Disposal must follow pharmaceutical waste regulations, specifically preventing the discard of the product into household waste or waterways.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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