glucosamine chondroitin
Patient Counselling
Intent:
Glucosamine and chondroitin are taken to help relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis by providing the body with building blocks for the cartilage in your joints1,2. However, because there is a lot of mixed evidence for use of these products in osteoarthritis, it is important to keep taking pain relievers such as Tylenol regularly for pain relief.
Dosage:
Glucosamine: 500 mg three times daily or 1500 mg once daily is the typical dose
Chondroitin: 800 mg – 1200 mg/day once daily or in divided doses1.
Since these products are typically sold together in combination, it is best to select a product that contains 500 mg of glucosamine sulfate and 400 mg of chondroitin sulfate2.
Maximum:
Since the effect/safety has not been studied in either glucosamine or chondroitin beyond 1500 mg/day and 1200 mg/day, respectively, it is best not to exceed these dosages1,2.
Administration:
This product may be taken once to three times daily, with or without food. It may take a few weeks for you to notice an effect, because these substances are not fast-acting pain relievers, but are meant to help re-build your joints1,2.
Adverse Effects:
Both of these products are very well tolerated. Because glucosamine contains glucose, there is a theoretical risk that it may worsen diabetes, but this risk has not been proven in the literature3. Chondroitin should be avoided in individuals with asthma, as it has been known to exacerbate symptoms4. In addition, if you have a history of prostate cancer, or are at a greater risk of developing prostate cancer, chondroitin should be avaoided4. If you have a shellfish allergy or are allergic to shark, this product should also be avoided3,4. Other rare side effects include edema (swelling), tachyarrhythmia (fast heartbeat), and pruritus, and if encountered this product should be discontinued1.
If you are taking blood thinners such as warfarin or aspirin, please be aware that this product may increase your risk of bleeding. If you notice any increased bruising, dark coloured stools, or coffee ground saliva this product should be discontinued and a physician should be consulted3,4.
Otherwise, adverse effects tend to be very mild and include3,4:
· Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
· Headache
· Drowsiness or insomnia
Pregnancy/Breastfeeding:
There is not a lot of information regarding use of glucosamine or chondroitin in pregnancy or lactation. Because these products are considered “add-ons” to first-line therapy, they should be avoided and better studied medications such as acetaminophen should be used instead3,4.
Pediatrics: These products have not been studied in children1,2.
References:
1. Micromedex Healthcare Series. Glucosamine. Greenwood Village, CO: Truven Health Analytics, 2013. http://www.thomsonhc.com/. Accessed March 15, 2014.
2. Micromedex Healthcare Series. Chondroitin. Greenwood Village, CO: Truven Health Analytics, 2013. http://www.thomsonhc.com/. Accessed March 15, 2014.
3. Lexicomp Online [Internet]. Glucosamine. Hudson OH: Wolters Kluwer Health; [date unknown] Available from: http://online.lexi.com. Accessed March 15, 2014.
4. Lexicomp Online [Internet]. Chondroitin. Hudson OH: Wolters Kluwer Health; [date unknown]. Available from: http://online.lexi.com. Accessed March 15, 2014.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are taken to help relieve symptoms of osteoarthritis by providing the body with building blocks for the cartilage in your joints1,2. However, because there is a lot of mixed evidence for use of these products in osteoarthritis, it is important to keep taking pain relievers such as Tylenol regularly for pain relief.
Dosage:
Glucosamine: 500 mg three times daily or 1500 mg once daily is the typical dose
Chondroitin: 800 mg – 1200 mg/day once daily or in divided doses1.
Since these products are typically sold together in combination, it is best to select a product that contains 500 mg of glucosamine sulfate and 400 mg of chondroitin sulfate2.
Maximum:
Since the effect/safety has not been studied in either glucosamine or chondroitin beyond 1500 mg/day and 1200 mg/day, respectively, it is best not to exceed these dosages1,2.
Administration:
This product may be taken once to three times daily, with or without food. It may take a few weeks for you to notice an effect, because these substances are not fast-acting pain relievers, but are meant to help re-build your joints1,2.
Adverse Effects:
Both of these products are very well tolerated. Because glucosamine contains glucose, there is a theoretical risk that it may worsen diabetes, but this risk has not been proven in the literature3. Chondroitin should be avoided in individuals with asthma, as it has been known to exacerbate symptoms4. In addition, if you have a history of prostate cancer, or are at a greater risk of developing prostate cancer, chondroitin should be avaoided4. If you have a shellfish allergy or are allergic to shark, this product should also be avoided3,4. Other rare side effects include edema (swelling), tachyarrhythmia (fast heartbeat), and pruritus, and if encountered this product should be discontinued1.
If you are taking blood thinners such as warfarin or aspirin, please be aware that this product may increase your risk of bleeding. If you notice any increased bruising, dark coloured stools, or coffee ground saliva this product should be discontinued and a physician should be consulted3,4.
Otherwise, adverse effects tend to be very mild and include3,4:
· Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
· Headache
· Drowsiness or insomnia
Pregnancy/Breastfeeding:
There is not a lot of information regarding use of glucosamine or chondroitin in pregnancy or lactation. Because these products are considered “add-ons” to first-line therapy, they should be avoided and better studied medications such as acetaminophen should be used instead3,4.
Pediatrics: These products have not been studied in children1,2.
References:
1. Micromedex Healthcare Series. Glucosamine. Greenwood Village, CO: Truven Health Analytics, 2013. http://www.thomsonhc.com/. Accessed March 15, 2014.
2. Micromedex Healthcare Series. Chondroitin. Greenwood Village, CO: Truven Health Analytics, 2013. http://www.thomsonhc.com/. Accessed March 15, 2014.
3. Lexicomp Online [Internet]. Glucosamine. Hudson OH: Wolters Kluwer Health; [date unknown] Available from: http://online.lexi.com. Accessed March 15, 2014.
4. Lexicomp Online [Internet]. Chondroitin. Hudson OH: Wolters Kluwer Health; [date unknown]. Available from: http://online.lexi.com. Accessed March 15, 2014.