Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan (Adequan®)
Authors: McIlwraith C. Wayne
Journal: Joint Disease in the Horse
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan (Adequan®) in Equine Joint Disease Polysulfated glycosaminoglycans (PSGAG), commonly administered as Adequan®, represent a well-established therapeutic option for managing osteoarthritis in equine patients, though their mechanism of action and optimal dosing protocols remain subjects of ongoing investigation. McIlwraith's 2016 review examined the coagulation effects of parenteral PSGAG administration by spiking equine and avian plasma samples with varying doses (1, 5, and 10 mg/kg) and measuring thrombin-clotting times (TCTs) as markers of hypocoagulability. Critically, whilst higher doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg produced significantly prolonged TCTs indicating impaired coagulation (P < 0.0001), the standard 1 mg/kg dosing regimen showed no statistically significant alterations in clotting parameters compared to untreated controls. For equine practitioners—whether farriers, veterinarians, or physiotherapists working alongside veterinary teams—this clarification of dose-dependent coagulation effects provides important reassurance regarding the safety profile of conventional PSGAG protocols when used at established therapeutic concentrations for joint disease management. The findings suggest that bleeding complications are unlikely when Adequan® is administered at standard dosing, though practitioners should remain vigilant for adverse events in cases receiving off-label higher doses or in patients with pre-existing coagulopathies.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •If treating avian patients with Adequan, strict adherence to 1 mg/kg dosing is critical to avoid bleeding complications
- •Higher doses of Adequan (≥5 mg/kg) carry significant coagulopathy risk in birds and should be avoided
- •This dosing information differs from equine/canine protocols, requiring species-specific prescribing caution
Key Findings
- •Adequan at 1 mg/kg showed no significant prolongation of thrombin-clotting time in flamingo plasma (P < 0.0001 vs. higher doses)
- •Doses of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg caused significantly prolonged clotting times indicating hypocoagulability
- •Parenteral Adequan at 1 mg/kg can be used safely as adjunctive therapy for osteoarthritis in avian species