A polymerizable adhesive composition comprises at least one α-cyanoacrylate monomer and at least one absorbable viscosity modifying agent. The absorbable viscosity modifying agent has repeated units of the following structure:
R
1
is a methyl group or a hydrogen. R
2
is a straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. R
3
is a straight, branched or cyclic alkyl group having from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and n is 2 or more.