Talk to me about legend vs. aqequan

[case solved]

Can someone explain to me the differences besides i.v. vs. i.m. Which would you choose for an older horse developing pre-arthritic tissue.

[miss girl]

Adequan is IM (injected into the muscle), Legend is IV (injected into the vein). From what I understand people us them together. Adequan is like a joint "cushioner" for lack of better description. I guess it helps lubricate the joints. Legend is a hyaluronic acid. Not quite sure what that means...but I guess it is essential for joint comfort. I hope that helps.

[Lucassb]

Your vet is probably the best qualified to give you the technical details on both these products, but the way we use them, Legend is a shorter-acting drug that we might use, say, just prior to a big show. Adequan is a maintenance drug that we use on a regular basis (normally once a month after the initial loading dose protocol) to help maintain joint health and comfort.

[akhunterrider]

I know of a couple older horses that have gotten Legends shots. They both had good results with it.

[case solved]

my vet has only talked to me very briefly about it. The horse has just been not quite right lately, but no diagnosed lameness. flexion tests were all fine. He is 15 and an OTTB, so i understand this is probably going to be a continuing problem. Im just not sure which way to go. I pushed him to 3'6" this past summer, but I felt like I really had to push to get there. I'm giving him most of the winter off and coming in the spring I'm going to get him fit again slowly and try some sort of injection along with joint supplement he's already on. I've heard some horror stories about IM's getting infected. Anyone run into this?

[Vandy]

I've heard some horror stories about IM's getting infected. Anyone run into this?You've heard horror stories about IM Adequan causing infections, or other drugs? Certain drugs such as Banamine can cause clostridial abcesses if injected IM, but I've never heard of this happening with Adequan. Even with Banamine, clostridial abcesses are not all that common.

Adequan is polysulfated glycosaminoglycan, which aids in cartilege production/repair. It is administered first in a loading dose, and followed by monthly maintenance injections. You may see an initial anti-inflammatory effect, but it is generally thought of as a drug that provides longer-term results in building healthy cartilege. Legend is Hyaluroic Acid, which is synthetic joint fluid. Legend gives fairly short term yet effective results when administered IV, which is why many people use it just before a show. It is a less viscous version of the same substance often used to inject directly into a joint.

I'd talk more with your vet about your options. I am a big fan of joint injections - particularly hocks - for older horses who jump; IME it almost always makes them considerably more comfortable, even if they are not showing an obvious hind end lameness.

[case solved]

Thanks Vandy,
your post was really helpful. I know the previous owner used to give this horse glucosamine injections. What particular injection do you use for hocks?

[Vandy]

My vet generally uses a combination of Hyaluronic Acid and Triamcinolone (a corticosteroid) for joint injections. You probably already know this, but a joint injection is done by a veterinarian, not something you do yourself ;) It is much more expensive than a single IV legend shot, but more effective and longer lasting in my experience. As well as more cost effective in the long run - one treatment lasts about 6 months for most horses with mild arthritis, and is less expensive than 6 months of Adequan/Legend. Optimally, if I could afford it, I'd give Adequan in addition to joint injections and occasional Legend IV as needed, but that's out of my budget, and probably overkill unless the horse has major problems or has a very strenuous work routine.

[Simkie]

Very simply put: Adequan is for chronic conditions and Legend is for acute conditions.

It costs me just under $100 to do both once a month. My horse *does* have some pretty significant issues, and I feel it's money well spent. I do both injections, so no vet call fee or anything.

If the horse is showing some changes in his hocks, or is flexing off, I would agree with Vandy: go ahead and tap the hocks. Then support with Adequan monthly.

[ImJumpin]

Are you sure the previous owner gave glucosamine injections, or did s/he give polysulfated glycosaminoglycan? The later would be Adequan. You can buy it off label, although at this time there is no generic (do a search-- lots of threads about that), and it is possible the owner was using the "generic."

I'd say Adequan and perhaps some joint injections to start with-- but you and your vet should determine that after a full exam pinpointing down exactly what joints are the problems. As others have said, Legends is more short term and good for use right before shows. There is evidence out there that shows it only works 3-4 days. Very expensive to be giving it that often!

[cyberbay]

Legend addresses synovitis. That's inflammation of the lining of the synovial sac, which holds the synovial fluid that encompasses the joint. Synovitis is part of the arthritis process -- the fluid, as the joint becomes 'bothered' from overuse or traumatic injury, starts to lose its viscosity and is not able to do its job as effectively of cleaning and restoring the fluid. The body also increases the quantity of fluid in an attempt to restore health, and this excess quantity (think 'windpuff') distends the capsule, and presses on tender tissue and nerves, which is part of the pain syndrome. Legend helps address the swelling, among other things, and thereby helps reduce pain and promote healthy motion.

Adequan addresses bone and its cushioning component, articular cartilage. Actually, it treats the 'nursery' of that cartilage, the chondrocytes, which replenish cartilage. Damaged cartilage means pain-filled movement. Adequan rebuilds that area, and in doing so, relieves pain and protects the joint.

Both of the above are part and parcel of the arthritic process. Now, there may be another type of injury to the joint, such as ligament tear, that is the primary issue affecting the joing (with arthritis getting underway later on).

Hope that wasn't too much info...

[hollyhorse2000]

My vet advises me to give Adequan for a time after my mare's hocks are injected (about once a year) and then after the acute phase is over, to switch to Legend. (This is the opposite of what another poster said.) I actually give both myself and vet calls in prescription to online pharmacy, so the cost is less for me. I'd done the original loading dose of Adequan some time ago. For now, I'm giving Adequan every three weeks, although the vet said I could switch to Legend at this point (last hock injections done in the summer). I like Adequan, though, as it does appear to me to last longer and more of a universal affect on the joint than Legend. It is also cheaper and thus I can give it more often.

[EASY RIDER STABLE]

Legend is used to obtain "more joint fluid" (synovial) and Adequan is a cartilidge repairer. Arthritic horses= Legend. Adequan is more of a therapy and almost useless unless there on a program.

[Simkie]

My vet advises me to give Adequan for a time after my mare's hocks are injected (about once a year) and then after the acute phase is over, to switch to Legend. (This is the opposite of what another poster said.)

Actually, I was referring to chronic conditions like arthritis (Adequan) vs acute injuries such as a chip damaging cartilage (Legend.)

[Bogie]

There is an injectable glucosomine -- Cetyl-D is an example. Few people use it now as adequan offers more benefits. Or, you use it in conjunction with another drug. For example, I used Cetyl-D in between shots of chondroprotec during hunt season with my older horse.

I've always given injectable joint supplements (IM) myself and have never had a problem at the injection sites. I prefer using an injectable to feed-thu supplements as it's still relatively unknown how effectively the feed thru supplements work. I don't know how to do IV, but I guess I'd have my vet teach me if I ever had a horse that needed Legend. The cost of the drug plus the vet call would discourage me from it.

Best to talk to your vet about what course of action most suits your horse.

[ponyjumper4]

adequan vs. legend is the same as apple vs orange.

They are two different products that treat/manage two different things. It depends on what your horse needs.

[luvs2ridewbs]

If you do have your horse's hocks injected, and you've never had it done before, make sure you keep an eye on the horse for the first day. We had a horse have an allergic reaction to the HA. His hocks swelled up and he was in alot of pain.

[cuatx55]

HA is the byproduct of CS and Gluc metabolism. It is a large polymer found in the synovial fluid AND THE CARTILAGE. It helps maintain the resillance and watery structure. It is a very very large molecule.

CS and Gluc are part of the extracellular matrix in the cartilage. Both adequan and legend can be used for chronic cases.

I use Legend for ringbone and a pelleted oral CS/Gluc supplement, though now I am trying Conquer gel as an alternative to legend. Personally I use injections to the joint as a last resort.

I am a bone biologist, send me a message if you want to chat more.


If you do a search also consider hyaluronan, the more correct term, not HA.


Hyaluronic Acid



Figure 9.

Hyaluronic acid is also known as sodium hyaluronate, or hyaluronan (the more correct term). Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a glycosaminoglycan (previously discussed) (Fig 9). It is a normal component of joints but it is generally agreed that there is some depletion of the amount in diseased joints and certainly the function.



Figure 10.
http://www.completerider.com/ucolorado/trama.html
HA is an integral component of both synovial fluid and articular cartilage in normal joints. Synovial fluid HA is produced by the synovial cells of the synovial membrane. Other HA that is incorporated in the matrix of articular cartilage is synthesized locally by the chondrocyte. HA confers the property of viscoelasticity to synovial fluid and is responsible for boundary lubrication in the synovial membrane and also is a factor in the lubrication of articular cartilage. HA also influences the composition of the synovial fluid by acting as a high molecular weight barrier over the synovial membrane (called steric hindrance) and preventing active plasma components and leukocytes (white blood cells) from the joint cavity (Fig 10). It is also felt that solutions containing HA change the attraction of various other inflammatory cells. The HA that is in the articular cartilage is important in acting as a backbone for aggregations of proteoglycan molecules (discussed above) and aiding in the compressive stiffness of the articular cartilage

[Fharoah]

I give my gelding recovering from collateral ligament injury legend monthly, adequan twice a month and recovery EQ HA twice a day. I used to give adequan weekly but it got alittle expensive and I don't give needles myself, so asking my dad to give adequan every week seemed like too much. I am worried about his joints. When my horse origionally came sound after we injected him pastern with Hyaluronic Acid and Triamcinolone, he seggested monthly legend would make the injections last longer. I would probablly give legend more often if I had more money.

Good Luck!

[craz4crtrs]

Having older arthritic horses is a maintenance issue. Keeping them comfortable. I tried Adequan and found it didn't help any more than oral supplements, so I do the oral plus Legend.

My two oldies (25 & 28) are on Cortaflx or Legacy, depending what I can find. Majesty wafers work well, too. Then I get them Legend IV shots as needed, every six months or once a year depending on the particular horse.

This regimen is for their comfort, not for keeping them show fit. Both do well with this for light riding.