Pentosan polysulphate sodium

Pentosan polysulphate sodium	Last updated: 12/09/2025
(Also known as: NaPPS; hemoclar ; sodium pentosan polysulfate ; pentosan polysulfate sodium; sodium pentosan polysulphate )

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

A semi-synthetic chondroprotective drug with strong antiinflammatory and fibrinolytic activity

Examples of veterinary uses

Used in the treatment of osteoarthritis

Examples of species treated

Dogs; Cats; Horses

Approval status

VMR 2013/2033 approval status (GB/UK)

Approved - usually available as a prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

EU Regulatory approval status

Approved

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Pentosan polysulfate sodium displays intricate isomerism due to its polymeric and semi-synthetic nature. Its structure consists of repeating sugar units, variably substituted with sulphate groups and occasional side chains. This leads to positional isomers (based on where sulphates attach), stereoisomers (from chiral sugar centres), sequence isomers (variation in sulphated unit arrangement), and conformational isomers (due to backbone flexibility).

Chemical formula

C₁₀H₁₈O₂₁S₄

Canonical SMILES

No data

Isomeric SMILES

O1C[C@@H](O*)[C@H](OS(=O)(=O)[O-])[C@H]([C@@H]1*)OS(=O)([O-])=O.[Na+].[Na+]

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C10H18O21S4/c11-3-1-26-10(8(31-35(22,23)24)5(3)28-32(13,14)15)27-4-2-25-9(12)7(30-34(19,20)21)6(4)29-33(16,17)18/h3-12H,1-2H2,(H,13,14,15)(H,16,17,18)(H,19,20,21)(H,22,23,24)/t3-,4-,5+,6+,7-,8-,9-,10+/m1/s1/f/h13,16,19,22H

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

General status

Veterinary substance type

Medicinal drug, Anti-inflammatory, Anticoagulant

Substance groups

Polysaccharide

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Semi-synthetic

Mode of action

The exact mechanism unknown but thought to stick to the bladder wall mucosal membrane acting as a barrier prevent irritating solutes reaching cells

Molecular targets

[Heparin-binding growth factor 2, Antagonist], [Heparin-binding growth factor 1, Antagonist], [Fibroblast growth factor 4, Antagonist]

CAS RN

140207-93-8

EC number

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

Therapeutic Class

Musculo-skeletal system: Anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic products; Cardiovascular system: Vasoprotectives

ATCvet Code

QM01AX90; QC05BA04

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

Molecular mass

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

[(2R,3R,4S,5R)-2-hydroxy-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5R)-5-hydroxy-3,4-disulfooxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-3-sulfooxyoxan-4-yl] hydrogen sulfate

CAS name

Forever chemical

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White odourless powder

Commercial

Property

Value

Availability status

Current

Introduction & key dates

Circa 1966, introduced

Example manufacturers & suppliers of products using this active now or historically

Arthropharm (Europe) Ltd

Example products using this active

Cartrophen Vet
Anarthron Solution

Formulation and application details

Usually administered in an oral form or via injection

Commercial production

The production of pentosan polysulfate sodium begins with the extraction of xylan, a hemicellulose polysaccharide, typically sourced from the bark of beech trees or other plant materials. This raw xylan undergoes controlled depolymerisation to yield acidic xylooligosaccharides, which are then subjected to sulphation using agents like chlorosulphonic acid or sulfuryl chloride in the presence of a suitable acid catalyst. The sulphated product is neutralised with sodium hydroxide to form the sodium salt, followed by purification steps such as diafiltration to remove impurities and control molecular weight distribution.

Impact on climate of production and use

Published GHG data is not available for most pharmaceuticals. However, according to industry, global averages suggest producing 1 kg of a typical active pharmaceutical ingredient can range from 10 to 100 kg CO₂e for small molecule drugs and potentially up to 1000 kg CO₂e for complex biologicals such as vaccines, depending on the drug type, its formulation, complexity of synthesis, solvent recovery, and energy sources used.

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

500

Moderate

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

3.31 X 10^-03

Calculated

Log P

-2.48

Estimated

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

1.344

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Volatilisation as max % of applied dose lost

From plant surface

From soil surface

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Environmental release

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Sediment phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Air degradation

As this parameter is not normally measured directly, a surrogate measure is used: ‘Photochemical oxidative DT₅₀’. Where data is available, this can be found in the Fate Indices section below.

Decay in stored produce DT₅₀

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d (mL g⁻¹)

K_oc (mL g⁻¹)

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f (mL g⁻¹)

K_foc (mL g⁻¹)

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known metabolites

None

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Vegetative vigour ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Seedling emergence ER₅₀ (g ha⁻¹)

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Notes

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Temperate Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Tropical Freshwater Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic Plants (free-floating, fonds growth, fresh) - 7 day (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic plants (rooted, growth rate, fresh) - 14 day (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Chronic (growth rate, fresh; mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

Marine bivalves

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Male human urinary DT50 = 4.8 hrs for unmetabolised drug after single 40mg dose

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

May cause nausea, diarrhoea & stomach pain
Possible liver toxicant

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

No information available

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

Waste disposal & packaging

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

pentosan polysulphate sodium

French

pentosane polysulfate sodique

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

pentosano polisulfato de sodio

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	12/09/2025
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242