Pet Medication 101: Adequan It’s important to understand a medication’s uses and side effects before giving it to your pet. This medication info sheet is meant to give you a good understanding of what Adequan is used for, how it works, and potential side effects in cats and dogs. Always consult a veterinarian before giving your pet any medication. Are you concerned about your pet?Book a video consultation with an experienced veterinarian within minutes.Professional vet advice onlineLow-cost video vet consultationsOpen 24 hours a day, 365 days a year Book Video Consultation 1. Drug Name:polysulfated glycosaminoglycan2. Brand Name:Adequan3. How Dispensed:Prescription-only4. Forms:Injectable 100mg/ml in 5ml vials, Injectable 250mg/ml in 1ml single use vials5. Drug Type/Class:Proteolytic Enzyme Inhibitor, chondroprotectant6. Uses in Dogs and Cats:Adequan is used to treat arthritis, joint dysfunction, and lameness in dogs and horses. It is commonly used “off-label” in cats as well.7. How it Works:Adequan improves the synovial (joint) fluid and helps promote cartilage repair within the joint.8. Side Effects and/or Signs of Overdosage:You can see pain at the injection site as well as abnormal bleeding, vomiting, anorexia, depression/lethargy, and diarrhea.9. Drug Interactions:There are no significant drug interactions; however, it should be used cautiously with other drugs that may cause bleeding problems (NSAIDs) like carprofen, aspirin, and meloxicam.10. Cautionary Statements:Although rare, joint sepsis (infection) can occur. There have also been reports of coagulation (bleeding) problems related to overdosing.Read more:Arthritis in CatsCauses of Limping in CatsCranial Cruciate Ligament Injuries in DogsNeed to speak with a veterinarian regarding your pet’s arthritis or another condition?Click here to schedule a video consult to speak to one of our vets. You can also download the FirstVet app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Stores.