Adequan (polysulfated glycosaminoglycan) that's all I have to say. A good friend of mine, who just happens to be a vet, turned me on to it. He told me that it is used in race horses that experience DJD. I used it myself after a friend of mine who needs his knee replaced, was able to walk again after 4 days on this stuff. I had injured my shoulder about three weeks ago I was hit with a concrete block in the shoulder, "someone I did not see," and could not even hold the steering wheel in my car. Plus this was in the middle of my last cycle, and I was making great gains and could not even work anything because of the pain. There a different types of connective tissues in the body, blood, adipose, (Hylane, fiberous, elastic) cartilage, plus different connective tissues that make up a mojority of your joints, plus special epithelial glandular cells, simple columnar epithelium to be exact that produce something called synavial fluid. From what I remember from AandP. Anyway, the whole point is all of this tissue has certain cell types, chondrocytes, in cartilage is avascular, which means it does not have a direct blood supply. That's why it's better to break a bone instead of ripping an ACL. Bone has caniculli, which is like veins, so there is more blood. Somehow, this Adequan acts like a catalyst in the matrix within the cell body itself, and speeds the production of Collogenous fibers, and synovial fluid. The results are amazing. New joints, not just something to mask the pain. I have not found out any information about Adequan, I am going into the medical field and this is the only information that makes sense to me. If someone finds out some information please post it. I know that almost all of my friends are on this stuff now, and they are having amazing reasults. The vet told me that there are no long tern effects, just great pain free joints, and that you can stay on this stuff forever and it would not hurt you. I promise, if you have sore of stiff joints, you have to give this a try. BTW its american made get the IM. type for horses.
If you are searching for a product that treats both the symptoms and the underlying degenerative disease process of horses' joint problems, Adequan ® may be a good choice.
First, Adequan has important antiinflammatory effects, so it is able to provide relief from the symptoms of joint damage: heat, swelling, pain and lameness. And Adequan can be found in synovial fluid at full therapeutic levels within only two hours of an intramuscular injection. Also, Adequan is a product with potent ability to block the action of the destructive enzymes that threaten to perpetuate the joint inflammation, attack the cartilage and break down synovial fluid.
Second, Adequan also stimulates the synovial membrane to manufacture new, viscous synovial fluid to replace the thin fluid that was produced when the joint became injured. By improving this fluid, Adequan helps the joint regain its ability to lubricate and guard itself against further inflammation, and helps reestablish nutrition to the cartilage.
And, Adequan attaches itself to damaged cartilage where it has a positive effect on cartilage metabolism. This should favor the cartilage repair process.
Adequan is the only joint treatment proven to reduce the inflammation and pain of degenerative joint disease, but also to help stop the degenerative process while stimulating the production of new joint fluid and new cartilage components. You are no longer just treating symptoms: you're doing something to help stop the degenerative process.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: The recommended dose of Adequan IM in horses is 500mg every 4 days for 28 days intramuscularly. The injection site must be thoroughly cleansed prior to injection. Do not mix Adequan IM with other drugs or solvents.
Comes in 500mg/5ml glass vials.
Here's some technical info on it.
Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan
Chemistry - Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) is chemically similar to natural mucopolysaccharides found in cartilaginous tissues. PSGAG is reportedly an analog of heparin.
Storage/Stability/Compatibility - Commercial products should be stored in a cool place 8-15°C (46-59°F). The manufacturer recommends discarding the unused portion from a vial or ampule and does not recommend mixing with any other drug or chemical.
Pharmacology - In joint tissue, PSGAG inhibits proteolytic enzymes that can degrade proteoglycans (including naturally occurring glycosaminoglycans), thereby preventing or reducing decreased connective tissue flexibility, resistance to compression and resiliency. By acting as a precursor, PSGAG also increases the synthesis of proteoglycans. PSGAG also reduces inflammation by reducing concentrations of prostaglandin E2 (released in re_sponse to joint injury) and increases hyaluronate concentrations in the joint, thereby restor_ing synovial fluid viscosity.
Uses/Indications - PSGAG administered either IM or IA is indicated for the treatment of non-infectious and/or traumatic joint dysfunction and associated lameness of the carpal joints in horses. Some studies have indicated that PSGAG is much less effective in joints where there has been acute trauma but without the presence of degradative enzymes.
It is also approved for the control of signs associated with non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic arthritis in dogs.
Pharmacokinetics - PSGAG is deposited in all layers of articular cartilage and is prefer_entially taken up by osteoarthritic cartilage. When administered IM, articular levels will with time exceed those found in the serum. Peak joint levels are reached 48 hours after IM injection, and persist for up to 96 hours after injection.
Contraindications/Precautions/Reproductive Safety - PSGAG is contraindicated for intra-articular administration in patients hypersensitive to it. While the manufacturer states there are no contraindications for IM use of the drug, the drug should not be used in place of other therapies in cases where infection is present or suspected, or in place of surgery or joint immobilization in cases where indicated.
Some clinicians feel that PSGAG should not be used within one week of arthrotomy in the dog, because it may cause increased bleeding. This effect apparently has not been confirmed in the literature however.
Reproductive studies have apparently not been performed; use with caution during preg_nancy or in breeding animals (the manufacturer does not recommend use in breeding ani_mals).
Adverse Effects/Warnings - Adverse effects are unlikely when using the IM route. Intraarticular administration may cause a post-injection inflammation (joint pain, effusion, swelling and associated lameness) secondary to sensitivity reactions, traumatic injection technique, overdosage, number or frequency of injections. Treatment consisting of anti-inflammatory drugs, cold hydrotherapy, and rest is recommended. Although rare, joint sepsis secondary to injection is also potentially possible; strict aseptic technique should be employed to minimize its occurrence. In dogs, a dose-related inhibition of coagulation/hemostasis has been described.
Overdosage/Acute Toxicity - Doses five times those recommended (2.5 grams) given IM to horses twice weekly for 6 weeks revealed no untoward toxic effects. Approximately 2% of horses receiving overdoses (up to 1250 mg) IA showed transient symptoms associated with joint inflammation.
Drug Interactions - While specific drug interactions have not been detailed to date, using this product in conjunction with either steroids or non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents could mask the signs and symptoms associated with septic joints.
There is some concern that since PSGAG is a heparin analog that it should not be used in conjunction with other NSAID’s or other anticoagulants. Clinical significance is un_clear, but use together with caution.
I have been using a vial and it working pretty good for joint pains and aches.
If you are searching for a product that treats both the symptoms and the underlying degenerative disease process of horses' joint problems, Adequan ® may be a good choice.
First, Adequan has important antiinflammatory effects, so it is able to provide relief from the symptoms of joint damage: heat, swelling, pain and lameness. And Adequan can be found in synovial fluid at full therapeutic levels within only two hours of an intramuscular injection. Also, Adequan is a product with potent ability to block the action of the destructive enzymes that threaten to perpetuate the joint inflammation, attack the cartilage and break down synovial fluid.
Second, Adequan also stimulates the synovial membrane to manufacture new, viscous synovial fluid to replace the thin fluid that was produced when the joint became injured. By improving this fluid, Adequan helps the joint regain its ability to lubricate and guard itself against further inflammation, and helps reestablish nutrition to the cartilage.
And, Adequan attaches itself to damaged cartilage where it has a positive effect on cartilage metabolism. This should favor the cartilage repair process.
Adequan is the only joint treatment proven to reduce the inflammation and pain of degenerative joint disease, but also to help stop the degenerative process while stimulating the production of new joint fluid and new cartilage components. You are no longer just treating symptoms: you're doing something to help stop the degenerative process.
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION: The recommended dose of Adequan IM in horses is 500mg every 4 days for 28 days intramuscularly. The injection site must be thoroughly cleansed prior to injection. Do not mix Adequan IM with other drugs or solvents.
Comes in 500mg/5ml glass vials.
Here's some technical info on it.
Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan
Chemistry - Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG) is chemically similar to natural mucopolysaccharides found in cartilaginous tissues. PSGAG is reportedly an analog of heparin.
Storage/Stability/Compatibility - Commercial products should be stored in a cool place 8-15°C (46-59°F). The manufacturer recommends discarding the unused portion from a vial or ampule and does not recommend mixing with any other drug or chemical.
Pharmacology - In joint tissue, PSGAG inhibits proteolytic enzymes that can degrade proteoglycans (including naturally occurring glycosaminoglycans), thereby preventing or reducing decreased connective tissue flexibility, resistance to compression and resiliency. By acting as a precursor, PSGAG also increases the synthesis of proteoglycans. PSGAG also reduces inflammation by reducing concentrations of prostaglandin E2 (released in re_sponse to joint injury) and increases hyaluronate concentrations in the joint, thereby restor_ing synovial fluid viscosity.
Uses/Indications - PSGAG administered either IM or IA is indicated for the treatment of non-infectious and/or traumatic joint dysfunction and associated lameness of the carpal joints in horses. Some studies have indicated that PSGAG is much less effective in joints where there has been acute trauma but without the presence of degradative enzymes.
It is also approved for the control of signs associated with non-infectious degenerative and/or traumatic arthritis in dogs.
Pharmacokinetics - PSGAG is deposited in all layers of articular cartilage and is prefer_entially taken up by osteoarthritic cartilage. When administered IM, articular levels will with time exceed those found in the serum. Peak joint levels are reached 48 hours after IM injection, and persist for up to 96 hours after injection.
Contraindications/Precautions/Reproductive Safety - PSGAG is contraindicated for intra-articular administration in patients hypersensitive to it. While the manufacturer states there are no contraindications for IM use of the drug, the drug should not be used in place of other therapies in cases where infection is present or suspected, or in place of surgery or joint immobilization in cases where indicated.
Some clinicians feel that PSGAG should not be used within one week of arthrotomy in the dog, because it may cause increased bleeding. This effect apparently has not been confirmed in the literature however.
Reproductive studies have apparently not been performed; use with caution during preg_nancy or in breeding animals (the manufacturer does not recommend use in breeding ani_mals).
Adverse Effects/Warnings - Adverse effects are unlikely when using the IM route. Intraarticular administration may cause a post-injection inflammation (joint pain, effusion, swelling and associated lameness) secondary to sensitivity reactions, traumatic injection technique, overdosage, number or frequency of injections. Treatment consisting of anti-inflammatory drugs, cold hydrotherapy, and rest is recommended. Although rare, joint sepsis secondary to injection is also potentially possible; strict aseptic technique should be employed to minimize its occurrence. In dogs, a dose-related inhibition of coagulation/hemostasis has been described.
Overdosage/Acute Toxicity - Doses five times those recommended (2.5 grams) given IM to horses twice weekly for 6 weeks revealed no untoward toxic effects. Approximately 2% of horses receiving overdoses (up to 1250 mg) IA showed transient symptoms associated with joint inflammation.
Drug Interactions - While specific drug interactions have not been detailed to date, using this product in conjunction with either steroids or non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents could mask the signs and symptoms associated with septic joints.
There is some concern that since PSGAG is a heparin analog that it should not be used in conjunction with other NSAID’s or other anticoagulants. Clinical significance is un_clear, but use together with caution.
I have been using a vial and it working pretty good for joint pains and aches.