Prescribing overview
Adequan Canine is an injectable joint medication, not oral glucosamine.
Key prescribing checks
- Do not use in a dog with known or suspected bleeding disease or hypersensitivity to PSGAG. Include abnormal bruising and concurrent therapies in the screening history.
- Use caution with hepatic or renal impairment. A joint-care plan should include diagnosis, reassessment of function and consideration of other appropriate treatments.
- Safety in breeding, pregnant and lactating dogs has not been established. Injection discomfort, gastrointestinal signs and abnormal bleeding are among reported adverse events.
Uses by species
Approval and evidence apply to the named product, species, route and indication. An extra-label use requires its own prescribing assessment; a human indication is not an animal approval.
Dogs
FDA-approvedSigns of noninfectious degenerative and/or traumatic arthritis of synovial joints
Breeding/pregnancy/lactation safety unestablished.
Use / indication source ↗Pharmacology & pharmacokinetics
Mechanism and clinical role
Exact canine joint mechanism is unknown; in-vitro findings suggest inhibition of cartilage-degrading enzymes.
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination
Canine radiolabel studies documented distribution into serum and synovial fluid after intramuscular injection; numerical canine clearance parameters are not supplied.
SAFETY REFERENCE · PRODUCT & SPECIES SPECIFIC
Contraindications & cautions
Contraindications identify circumstances where the source says a product should not be used. Precautions call for assessment or monitoring. Interactions identify combinations to review. They are distinct categories; this summary does not replace a full interaction check or the current product label.
Adequan Canine
Dogs; intramuscular PSGAG injection.
Contraindications · when not to use
- PSGAG hypersensitivity; known or suspected bleeding disorder.
Precautions & monitoring
- Caution with renal or hepatic impairment; reproductive safety has not been evaluated.
Safety sources checked: . Selected label information; independent veterinary or veterinary-pharmacy review remains pending. A label for dogs, cats, horses or humans does not establish safety for another species.
Adverse effects
Injection discomfort, diarrhea and abnormal bleeding were observed; vomiting and lethargy also reported.
These are selected source-reported effects, not incidence estimates or an exhaustive list. Spontaneous postmarketing reports do not by themselves establish frequency or causality.
Dosing & administration
| Species & indication | Labeled regimen | Eligibility & source |
|---|---|---|
| DogsNoninfectious degenerative/traumatic arthritisAdequan Canine 100 mg/mL | 2 mg/lb (0.02 mL/lb) Intramuscular only · Twice weekly Up to 4 weeks; maximum 8 injections | Aseptic technique; do not exceed regimen. Verify full dosing label ↗ |
Confirm product-specific administration instructions before use.
Extra-label prescribing and food-animal residue requirements are separate from labeled regimens. FDA extra-label-use guidance ↗
Drug & supplement interactions
This is a selected interaction reference, not an automated or comprehensive combination checker. Reconcile prescription drugs, nonprescription products, supplements and recent treatment changes.
Adequan Canine
Dogs; intramuscular PSGAG injection.
- Do not mix with other drugs or solvents.
Monitoring
Assess mobility, bleeding and injection sites; use caution with renal/hepatic impairment.
Client counseling
Not for known/suspected bleeding disorders or PSGAG allergy; report bruising.
This section supports the veterinary team's discharge discussion; it does not replace the product’s Client Information Sheet where one is required.
Storage & handling
20–25°C; use within 28 days after first puncture; maximum 10 punctures. Do not mix.
Brands, formulations & ingredient identity
Active ingredients
Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan
Other searchable names: PSGAG
Adequan Canine is an intramuscular injectable medication, not an oral glucosamine supplement. These names should not be used as interchangeable inventory entries.
The Canine suffix matters: identifying the ingredient does not establish that every Adequan product has the same label, route or species authorization.
Shared ingredients do not establish interchangeable concentrations, routes, release properties, species labeling or regional availability.
Adequan Canine
- Formulation
- Intramuscular injectable solution
- Label / product scope
- Dogs
Prescription canine arthritis medication; not a supplement.
Product label / source ↗References & review status
Clinical reference updated October 16, 2026. Independent veterinary or veterinary-pharmacy review not yet completed. Evidence gaps remain explicitly identified; this page does not claim equivalence to a comprehensive, professionally reviewed veterinary formulary.
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