How Adequan® Canine Works

Nothing works like Adequan® Canine.

As the only FDA-approved disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD), Adequan® Canine (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) has a mode of action that empowers you to proactively treat the disease, not just the clinical signs.1


Here’s how it may help:

Binds to components of the cartilage matrix to help prevent further degradation of the joints.

  • Reduces inflammation and decreases pain.
  • Inhibits release of degradative enzymes and inflammatory mediators to help restore balance.
  • Stimulates the activity of existing cartilage components and improves synovial fluid to help renew joint mobility.

Discover if Adequan® Canine is the right choice.

Adequan Canine how it works joint

We strive to keep dogs healthy, happy and moving throughout life’s adventures. Active dogs need healthy cartilage to maintain effective joint function. In joints with osteoarthritis, the complex process of cartilage repair is unable to keep up with damage. Key components in the cartilage and synovial fluid are lost and not replaced. Increased catabolic enzymatic activity in damaged tissue creates more damage and inflammation. Thinning of the synovial fluid makes it less effective as a joint lubricant. Softening and loss of cartilage structural composition leads to a loss in its ability to cushion and disperse the forces applied to the joint. Eventually cartilage will fissure and expose bone, resulting in painwith every step.

Adequan® Canine (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) is the only FDA-approved, disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug that inhibits cartilage loss in a dog’s synovial joints.1

After Adequan® Canine is administered and enters the bloodstream, it crosses the synovial membrane into the synovial fluid and enters the articular cartilage by diffusion. Efficacy studies have shown Adequan® Canine inhibits the loss of key joint components: proteoglycan, collagen and hyaluronic acid.1

In vitro studies have shown that Adequan® Canine inhibits catabolic enzymes that destroy these molecules. At the same time, it has been shown to enhance the activity of anabolic enzymes that helps provide the valuable building blocks for cartilage repair in joints. Together, Adequan® Canine helps to renew damaged cartilage. Adequan® Canine, in efficacy studies, has been shown to decrease inflammation of the synovial membrane, which is associated with the onset of osteoarthritis, and increase hyaluronic acid levels in the synovial fluid. Hyaluronic acid is an important lubricating molecule which helps to restore joint lubrication.

Adequan® Canine may help to: Restore joint lubrication.1 Relieve inflammation.1 Renew the building blocks of healthy cartilage.1 Help dogs stay active longer with Adequan® Canine. The difference between feeling better and getting better.®

1. Adequan® Canine Package Insert, Rev 9/2021

Adequan is aregistered trademark of American Regent, Inc.
© 2021, American Regent, Inc. PP-AC-US-0120 10/2019

The foundation of Multimodal OA Therapy

Adopting a multi-modal approach2 that focuses on helping your dog get better, and feel better, may slow the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) from early to late stages.

Adequan Canine multimodal oa therapy

Discover if Adequan® Canine is the right choice.

CAUTION: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

Help slow down the OA clock with a comprehensive plan.

Develop a personalized multi-modal plan that is specific to each patient that can include disease treatment, pain management, exercise, weight control and physical therapy.

Osteoarthritis (OA)
Need To Treat Early
Video Transcript

Mark E. Epstein
DVM, DABVP (C/F), CVPP

“...we only have a certain amount of capital of time and attention from the owner. So it does make it a significant challenge.

“My guidance would be that with any inclination of a COAST one or a two dog, that if you can make sure that the subject is brought forward, it is introduced to the client at that point, then you will have gone a step further than probably you otherwise would have. If we can move the profession that far, that’s an important step to take.”

Denis J. Marcellin-Little
DEDV, DACVS, DECVS, DACVSMR

“It is in the patients, the owners, and our best interests to manage osteoarthritis from its early stages, not from its late stages.”

Julia Tomlinson
BVSc, MS, PhD, DACVS, CCRP, CVSMT, DACVSMR

“If we start treating very late in the disease, then we’re really just trying to play catch up. We’ve already lost some motion in the joint so you have some stiffness that’s going to factor in and feed into pain and inactivity, which again is going to feed into other problems in practice such as obesity.”

The participants are paid consultants for American Regent Animal Health. The opinions of these consultants may not be representative of American Regent Animal Health.

© 2021, American Regent, Inc.
NP-NA-US-0344 11/2020

"The optimal management of OA focuses on strategies
that slow down the clock."

Denis J. Marcellin-Little,
DEDV, DACVS, DECVS, DACVSMR

Adequan® Canine brand of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG)
INDICATIONS Adequan® Canine is recommended for intramuscular injection for the control of signs associated with non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic arthritis of canine synovial joints.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION Adequan® Canine should not be used in dogs who are hypersensitive to PSGAG or who have a known or suspected bleeding disorder. It should be used with caution in dogs with renal or hepatic impairment. Adverse reactions in clinical studies (transient pain at injection site, transient diarrhea, and abnormal bleeding) were mild and self-limiting. In post approval experience, death has been reported in some cases; vomiting, anorexia, depression/lethargy and diarrhea have also been reported. The safe use of PSGAG in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs has not been evaluated. Caution: Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian. For additional safety information, please see Full Prescribing Information.
1. Adequan® Canine Package Insert, Rev 9/2021.
2. 2015 AAHA-AAFP Pain Mgt. Guidelines for Dogs and Cats; J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2015; 51_67-87. DOI 10.5326JAAHA-MS-7331.

Let’s stay in touch.

Be the first to hear about important news and product information!
First, select the one that best describes you.
Then we'll take you to our sign-up page.

CANINE VETERINARY
PROFESSIONAL
DOG OWNER
AMERICAN REGENT ANIMAL HEALTH
About Us Our Brands