Adequan Canine (for dogs) and Adequan Equine (for horses) is used to control symptoms associated with degenerative or traumatic arthritis. Adequan requires a prescription from your veterinarian. A syringe is needed, but not included in the package.
For: Dogs and Horses
Benefits:
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Helps control non-infectious degenerative or traumatic arthritis
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Good for post-surgery treatment
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Starts to work within hours and stays in the joint for about three days
How it works: Adequan inhibits enzymes that break down cartilage within your dog’s or horse’s joints. It reduces inflammation and increases the thickness of joint (synovial) fluid.
Cautions: Do not give this medication to breeding, pregnant, or lactating animals. Use with caution in animals with kidney or liver disease, or bleeding disorders.
More Information:
Brand Name Adequan (Manufactured by Luitpold)
Generic Name Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) Solution
What is the most important information I should know about Adequan: Adequan is a prescription medication used in dogs and horses to control signs associated with degenerative or traumatic arthritis. Adequan Canine 100mg/ml is available by prescription in a box containing 2 x 5 ml vials. The usual dose in dogs is 2mg per lb given by intramuscular injection only, twice a week for up to 4 weeks. Adequan Equine 500mg/5ml is available by prescription in a box containing 7 x 5ml ampoules. The usual dose in horses is 500mg given by intramuscular injection every 4 days for 28 days. Do not mix this medication with other drugs or chemicals.
What is Adequan: Adequan belongs to a unique class of drugs called Disease-Modifying Osteoarthritis Drugs (DMOAD). It is an injectable polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) and is the only FDA approved product of its type. Adequan has been clinically shown to help treat the disease while giving relief from pain. It modifies the disease cycle, stimulates cartilage repair processes and diminishes joint damage while reducing the pain caused by osteoarthritis.
What should I discuss with my veterinarian before giving Adequan: Tell your veterinarian if your dog or horse has any known or suspected bleeding disorders. Tell your veterinarian if your dog or horse has any liver or kidney disease. Tell your veterinarian if your dog or horse is breeding, pregnant or lactating.
How should this medication be given: Give this medication exactly as directed by your veterinarian. Adequan is given by intramuscular (IM, into the muscle) injection. If you do not understand the directions ask the pharmacist or veterinarian to explain them to you. If you have difficulty giving the medication, contact your veterinarian. Store Adequan at room temperature (64º-77º F). Keep this medication out of the reach of children and pets.
What happens if I miss giving a dose: Give the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and give the next one as directed. Do not give a double dose of the medication.
What happens if I give an overdose: Overdose is extremely rare. Symptoms that may indicate toxicity include joint pain, swelling and lameness.
What should I avoid while giving Adequan: Do not give this medication to breeding, pregnant or lactating animals. Use with caution in animals with kidney or liver disease, or blood clotting or coagulation disorders.
What are the possible side effects of Adequan: Few side effects are seen following Intramuscular injection. Stop giving Adequan and seek emergency veterinary medical attention if an allergic reaction (facial swelling, hives, scratching, sudden onset of diarrhea, vomiting, shock, seizures, pale gums, cold limbs, or coma) should occur. Bleeding from the nose, blood in the feces, or dark and tarry stools may indicate a decreased ability of blood to clot. Contact your veterinarian if you notice these symptoms. Other side effects may also occur. Talk to your veterinarian about any side effects that seem unusual or bothersome to the animal.
What other drugs will affect Adequan: Consult your veterinarian before using any other prescription or over the counter medicines including vitamins and supplements.
Where can I get more information:
Your pharmacist has additional information about Adequan Canine and Adequan Equine written for health professionals that you may read.
Directions:
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Adequan Canine is a prescription medication used in dogs for the control of signs associated with non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic arthritis of canine synovial joints and following surgical procedures involving a joint.
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Adequan Equine is a prescription medication used in horses to control signs associated with degenerative or traumatic arthritis.
Tip: Do not give this medication to breeding, pregnant, or lactating animals. Use with caution in animals with kidney or liver disease, or blood clotting or coagulation disorders.
Dosage:
Pet
Weight
Dosage
Dogs:
All weights
Inject 2mg per lb given only by intramuscular (IM) injection twice a week for up to 4 weeks (a maximum of 8 injections)
Cats:
Horses:
All weights
The usual dose is 500mg by intramuscular (IM) injection every 4 days for 28 days
Storage: Store at room temperature (64º-77º F).
Adequan Canine (for Dogs):
Active Ingredients
Amount
Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan
100 mg
benzyl alcohol (a preservative)
0.9% v/v
water
Other Ingredients: Sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid added when necessary to adjust pH. Sodium Chloride may be added to adjust tonicity
Adequan Equine (for Horses):
Active Ingredients
Amount
Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan
500 mg
water
Other Ingredients: Sodium hydroxide and/or hydrochloric acid added when necessary to adjust pH. Sodium Chloride may be added to adjust tonicity
We have a less than 2 year old lab who started limping in the front leg. 2 vet visits later and $700.00 we were told that he has a gentic defect in his shoulder. The cost to repair this was going to be $4000.00. No way we could afford that, so we were looking at having him put down. Our vet suggested we try adequan. What a miracle drug!!! You would not know that there was ever anything wrong with him. He runs willy nilly again and keeps our older lab more active than he probably wantas to be. I have a question-how do you know when to maybe stop? Cooper will not be 2 until March. I dont know how long we can afford this medication.
I was a little skeptical at first--especially with the cost, but it has made tremendous changes with our yellow lab who was suffering pretty badly with arthritis. He was having trouble even standing up let alone walking, but with a combination of Adequan and glucosamine he is now running around and appears to be pain free. Administering through the injection is easy too.
I started my 85 lb Aussie/border collie on the Adequan back in Feb 2011 and couldn't be happier with the results. He was gaining weight, skipping our walks and couldn't make it up the stairs anymore. Paco was close to 12 yo and it didn't seem like he had much life left in him. One vet put him on Rimadyl which caused him to lose weight and become more lethargic. I started the Adequan and was instructed by my new Vet how to give the shots. I just gave the shots in the scruff of his neck and the miracle began. After the 1st month of multiple shots it seemed that he had a bit of a relapse, but I kept to the schedule and he is now a new dog. He chases the deer, runs up/down the stairs, jumps into the Excursion for road trips and pushes for walks around the clock. He now has more energy than my 2 small dogs who are about to go on Adequan. I thought that I might have Paco for only another year before I tried the Adequan. Now I think he will be around for many more years. Change Vets if yours doesn't recommend Adequan. I hope everyone else has the fantastic results that my Paco has shown.
Thought I would post here to give my experience with Adequan with my 2 dogs. I really wanted this to work for them too and saw all the reviews on here raving about it, but it didn't work at all for either of my dogs. My oldest is 12 years old (Rottie) and on prescription meds for pain (she has arthritis everywhere). My other dog is 9 years old (Lab/Rottie) and has hip dysplasia too, but still gets around good without any pain meds. I took them both to the vet twice a week for 4 weeks and saw absolutely no improvement with either of them. The vet wasn't pushing Adequan either and now I'm wondering if they knew it didn't work very well, but since I wanted to try it they helped me with the shots (which they injected into the muscle like it says to). Oh well, I felt like I had to try everything for them and will move on to something else. :(
My puppy just had knee surgery her knee kept popping out. the vet wants to give her the 8 injections and then once every 6 weeks for the rest of her life. Will having this done help her even though there is no arthritus there yet?
Your veterinarian seems to believe this will help your pet and I have no reason to believe otherwise. I can only suggest if you have doubts about using this product that you discuss this with your veterinarian.
If your veterinarian decides that your pet also needs to be treated with Adequan, he/she would let you know if the other 2 products would need to be temporarily discontinued. I don't think they will be stopped, but you should check with your veterinarian.
Our horse has Cushings. Is there any conflict with his medication (pergoloid) and Adequan? Will we have to administer Adequan forever or is this a single course treatment?
Adequan could be a single course treatment although your veterinarian may want to have you use it more often. I am not aware of any interaction between Pergolide and Adequan.
I have a 6 year old boxer, and I am considering using adequate to treat her arthritis. After giving her the first month of injections, should we expect to give her more at a certain time? Do the effects last for a a few months, a year, etc? Is it recommended to give one injection a month to maintain the effects of the adequate?
The dose of Canine Adequan is given 2 times a week for 4 weeks (8 doses maximum). How long the effects will last is difficult to tell. Each dog is different. Your veterinarian will determine how often to repeat the Adequan. You can continue to give fish oil, yes.
This information sheet is for educational purposes only and is intended to be a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise and professional judgment of your veterinarian. The information is NOT to be used for diagnosis or treatment of your pet. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the treatment of your pet. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, allergic reactions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for your pet. It is not a substitute for a veterinary exam, and it does not replace the need for services provided by your veterinarian. Note: Any trademarks are the property of their respective companies.
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