If you are looking for health services in your community, you can use the HealthLinkBC Directory to find hospitals, clinics, and other resources. FIND Services and Resources. Breadcrumb Home Search Health Topics Glucosamine and Chondroitin. Print Feedback Email a link. Glucosamine and Chondroitin.

Topic Contents Treatment Overview Why It Is Used Risks Related Information References. Treatment Overview Glucosamine and chondroitin are part of normal cartilage. Glucosamine Glucosamine, also called chitosamine, is a natural substance that comes from the covering of shellfish. It's also known as: Glucosamine hydrochloride.

N-acetyl-glucosamine NAG. Glucosamine sulfate. This is a combination of glucosamine and mineral salt. The body absorbs glucosamine well. Chondroitin Chondroitin can come from natural sources, such as shark or bovine cartilage.

It's also known as: Chondroitin sulfate. This is a combination of chondroitin and mineral salt. Chondroitin sulfuric acid. Why It Is Used Many people take glucosamine and chondroitin, alone or together, for osteoarthritis.

Risks It appears that glucosamine and chondroitin, alone or together, are safe and have few side effects. Related Information Complementary Medicine Osteoarthritis Patellar Tracking Disorder.

References Citations Wandel S, et al. Effects of glucosamine, chondroitin, or placebo in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee: Network meta-analysis. Published online September 16, DOI: Credits Current as of: November 9, Current as of: November 9, About This Page General Feedback Email Link Physical Activity Services We appreciate your feedback.

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Your email Please make sure the email address you have entered is accurate. Please select one of the following:. Age in years. Postal Code no space. And another study found the combination helped reduce joint space narrowing — a sign of cartilage degeneration.

Reviews of studies have yielded mixed results about these supplements. The difference in outcomes may be due to the variety of supplement types and doses researchers used.

Studies have also differed on which of these supplements offers the greatest benefit for OA. Some find chondroitin to be superior, others favor glucosamine, while still others prefer a combination of the two. The ideal form of glucosamine has also caused dissent in the research community.

Some studies show an advantage to glucosamine sulfate; others to glucosamine hydrochloride. One study that compared the two glucosamine forms head to head found no real difference between them.

Mayo Clinic researchers agree, saying that evidence supports trying glucosamine sulfate — not hydrochloride — with or without chondroitin sulfate for knee OA. Glucosamine and chondroitin are considered safe, with no serious side effects reported in studies.

However, these supplements can interact with blood thinners like warfarin Coumadin. They might also affect blood sugar levels, and one small study found they raise eye pressure, which could increase the risk for glaucoma.

If you have diabetes or glaucoma, you may need to avoid these supplements, or have your doctor monitor your blood sugar levels and eye pressure more closely while you take them. In OA treatment guidelines , the Arthritis Foundation and American College of Rheumatology give a conditional recommendation of chondroitin sulfate for hand OA.

That means that there isn't strong evidence that benefits outweigh risk, but the supplement could be helpful for people with OA. Also, be patient. Get involved with the arthritis community.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Osteoarthritis Pain Research is mixed on whether these supplements help with OA pain and stiffness, but they are safe to try.

What Are Glucosamine and Chondroitin? How Do They Work? Which Form Is Best? Are They Safe? The Bottom Line In OA treatment guidelines , the Arthritis Foundation and American College of Rheumatology give a conditional recommendation of chondroitin sulfate for hand OA.

Supplements can help treat osteoarthritis and other inflammatory conditions. When I worked at a supplement store during college, people would frequently purchase glucosamine supplements to prevent or lessen joint pain.

Due to its popularity, I assumed glucosamine was a safe and effective supplement for joint health. This article explains everything you need to know about glucosamine, including its benefits, side effects, and dosage information. Glucosamine is a compound that occurs naturally in your body.

It serves as a building block for a variety of functional molecules in your body. Glucosamine is also found in some animal and other nonhuman tissues, including shellfish shells, animal bones, and fungi.

Supplemental forms of glucosamine are often made from these natural sources 2. This supplement is frequently used to treat and prevent joint disorders like osteoarthritis.

You may take it orally or apply it topically via a cream or salve 3. Glucosamine is a chemical compound that occurs naturally in both human and animal tissues.

In humans, it helps form cartilage and is commonly used as a dietary supplement to treat joint disorders like osteoarthritis. Like most other research on glucosamine, this study simultaneously supplemented with chondroitin , a compound similar to glucosamine.

That being said, glucosamine and chondroitin have been shown to inhibit the activation of inflammatory pathways in human synovial cells. These cells are responsible for producing synovial fluid components, or joint fluid 5.

Still, more research is needed to better understand how glucosamine may help reduce inflammation in your body. Some research indicates that glucosamine may reduce inflammation, especially when used alongside chondroitin supplements. Still, more research is needed on the topic.

Glucosamine exists naturally in your body 1. One of its main roles is to support the healthy development of articular cartilage, a type of smooth white tissue that covers the ends of your bones where they meet to form joints 7.

Along with the lubricating liquid called synovial fluid , articular cartilage minimizes friction and allows bones to move freely and painlessly across one another.

More specifically, it is thought that glucosamine promotes the creation of certain chemical compounds, including collagen, that are important structural components of articular cartilage and synovial fluid. Some studies indicate that taking glucosamine supplements may protect joint tissue by preventing the breakdown of cartilage, particularly in athletes.

For example, one study demonstrated that taking 1. These results suggest a joint-protective effect of glucosamine. However, more research is needed. Glucosamine helps develop tissues that are crucial for proper joint function.

While more studies are necessary, some research indicates that glucosamine supplements may protect your joints from damage. Glucosamine supplements are frequently taken to treat various bone and joint conditions. Most scientific research on glucosamine has focused on the use of one specific form called glucosamine sulfate.

This molecule has been well-studied for its potential to treat symptoms and disease progression associated with osteoarthritis OA , rheumatoid arthritis RA , and osteoporosis. Multiple studies indicate that taking daily glucosamine sulfate supplements may offer effective, long-term treatment for OA by significantly reducing pain, helping maintain joint space, and slowing disease progression 9 , 10 , 11 , Meanwhile, other studies have not found glucosamine to significantly improve joint pain or function in people with hand, hip, or knee osteoarthritis 13 , 14 , 15 , Based on the conflicting evidence, some scientific organizations recommend against the use of glucosamine for managing knee osteoarthritis As such, more human research is needed to better understand the mechanisms of and best applications for glucosamine in joint and bone diseases.

Though glucosamine is used frequently to treat various bone and joint conditions, more research on its effects is needed. People often use glucosamine to treat a wide variety of chronic inflammatory diseases, although scientific data to support this is limited.

Glucosamine is widely promoted as a treatment for interstitial cystitis IC , a condition characterized by chronic inflammation of the bladder muscles and symptoms like frequent urination and bladder pain.

IC is associated with a deficiency in a compound called glycosaminoglycan. Inflammatory bowel disease IBD is a condition that causes chronic inflammation of the intestines, often leading to symptoms like bloating, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. A study in mice with IBD indicated that supplementing with glucosamine could reduce inflammation In one small study, 34 participants with IBD who took N-Acetyl glucosamine — another form of glucosamine supplements — for 4 weeks reported significant improvements in symptoms like pain and diarrhea However, the study was not blinded and contained no control group.

This prevents any conclusions from being drawn about the efficacy of glucosamine for improving IBD-related symptoms.

Multiple sclerosis MS is a chronic condition that affects your central nervous system. Symptoms vary but can include fatigue, tremors, and trouble walking, talking, and seeing. Some people claim that glucosamine could be an effective treatment for MS, but supporting research is lacking.

For example, one review showed no significant impact of glucosamine supplements on MS relapse rate or disease progression Glaucoma is an eye disease that can cause some vision loss and even blindness.

Some people believe it can be treated with glucosamine. Some sources claim that glucosamine is an effective therapy for temporomandibular joint TMJ disorders. These are health issues related to your jaw — like jaw pain and locking of the jaw joint.

However, research to support this claim remains insufficient. One small study showed a significant reduction in pain and inflammatory markers as well as increased jaw mobility in participants who received a combined supplement of glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin Another study showed a significant improvement in maximum mouth opening and pain reduction — demonstrated by reduced inflammatory markers — after taking 1.

As such, more research is needed on the topic. While glucosamine is often regarded as an effective treatment for a wide variety of conditions, there is no conclusive data on its impact. Ultimately, more research is needed. Currently, the strongest evidence supports glucosamine sulfate use for the long-term treatment of OA symptoms.

But even then, evidence remains inconclusive 25 , 26 , Besides this, glucosamine is less likely to be an effective treatment for other diseases or inflammatory conditions. Manufacturers willing to have their products tested for purity tend to have higher standards.

ConsumerLab, NSF International, and US Pharmacopeia USP are a few independent companies that provide certification services. Most research supports the use of glucosamine-sulfate solely for managing OA symptoms, but even then, evidence remains inconclusive.

Based on available studies, the supplement is less likely to be effective for any other conditions. The typical glucosamine dosage is 1,—3, mg per day, which you can take at once or in multiple smaller doses 4 , 8 , Many people take either acetaminophen Tylenol or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen Advil, Motrin and naproxen Aleve for OA pain.

Some of these drugs can cause stomach upset, cramps, constipation, diarrhea, and in some cases, stomach ulcers, and infertility. So far studies have not shown conclusively that glucosamine helps repair or grow new cartilage, or prevents further damage to cartilage.

Glucosamine is often taken with chondroitin, another supplement thought to be effective in treating OA. Like glucosamine, chondroitin has conflicting results in studies. Osteoarthritis Results from several scientific studies suggest that glucosamine supplements may be an effective treatment for OA, particularly OA of the knee or hip.

In general, these studies suggest that glucosamine:. The study of about 1, people with OA of the knee found that glucosamine alone, or in combination with chondroitin, did not reduce pain in the overall group, although it did appear to lessen pain among those with moderate-to-severe OA of the knee.

The study has raised questions for further research. Researchers are now studying whether the glucosamine chondroitin combination may help people with more severe OA. A second phase in looked at participants who continued with the study for another 28 months.

They were tested to see whether glucosamine or chondroitin together or alone slowed the loss of cartilage in their knees. They showed no difference in cartilage loss compared with people who took placebo.

But all groups, those taking placebo, those taking both supplements, and those taking only one supplement, lost less cartilage than expected. Other studies show that people with OA who took glucosamine 1, mg once a day experienced greater improvement in their condition compared to people who took mg of acetaminophen Tylenol 3 times a day.

Most studies show that glucosamine needs to be taken for 2 to 4 months before it is effective, although you may experience improvements sooner. Glucosamine and chondroitin can be used along with NSAIDs to treat OA. Crohn disease and ulcerative colitis are two inflammatory bowel diseases IBDs marked by chronic, frequent, bloody diarrhea.

Preliminary evidence suggests that N-acetyl glucosamine oral supplements or enemas may help improve symptoms of IBD in children who have not improved with standard medical treatment. However, the study was small and lacked a control group. So it is impossible to say whether glucosamine really worked.

More research is needed. Preliminary evidence suggests that glucosamine inhibits cancer cell growth. In one study, use of glucosamine and chondroitin was associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer after 5 years of follow up.

There are no major food sources of glucosamine, so you must get it from supplements. Most supplements are made from chitin, the hard outer shells of shrimp, lobsters, and crabs. Other forms of glucosamine are available for people who are allergic to shellfish. Glucosamine is available in oral supplements as glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and n-acetyl glucosamine.

These products may come in tablet, capsule, and powder forms. It is often combined with chondroitin and sometimes manganese as well. Manganese is a trace mineral necessary for normal bone health. The total amount of manganese from foods and supplements should not exceed 11 mg per day.

But several combination supplements for arthritis containing glucosamine, chondroitin, and manganese have more than that. Read labels carefully, and consider choosing a supplement without manganese. Glucosamine is available as an injectable form that your doctor can insert directly into a joint.

N-acetyl glucosamine is also available as an enema. Glucosamine is not recommended for children. It is mainly used to treat OA a condition that affects adults , and its safety for children has not been studied.

You may need to take supplements on a long-term basis to reduce the pain and inflammation of OA. Talk with your doctor. Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, you should take dietary supplements only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.

Studies suggest that glucosamine is safe and causes only minor side effects, such as stomach upset, heartburn, indigestion, gas, bloating, nausea, and diarrhea. If these occur, try taking glucosamine with food. People with peptic ulcers should take glucosamine sulfate with food.

Glucosamine sulfate may contain high amounts of sodium or potassium. People on a restricted diet or who take potassium-sparing diuretics should carefully check the label before taking glucosamine supplements.

People with diabetes should have their blood sugar checked regularly. Glucosamine may cause insulin to work less effectively. Animal studies show an association between glucosamine levels and insulin resistance.

Some glucosamine supplements are made from shellfish. So people with shellfish allergies should check with a doctor before taking glucosamine supplements. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take glucosamine, since it has not been studied for safety in these groups.

Glucosamine may raise blood pressure and cholesterol levels. See your doctor regularly to have these levels checked while you are taking glucosamine. If you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use glucosamine or make any adjustments to your medications without first talking to your doctor.

Warfarin Coumadin : Glucosamine may increase the blood-thinning effect of Warfarin coumadin and may increase the risk of bruising or bleeding, which can be serious. Speak with your physician. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs : If you take NSAIDs to relieve the pain of OA, taking glucosamine may reduce the dose of NSAIDs you need to take.

Since NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding, reducing the dose can be helpful. Talk to your doctor before taking glucosamine, since it can take several months before you experience any improvements.

Blood sugar-lowering medications or insulin: Glucosamine may change the dose needed for blood sugar-lowering medications and insulin. If you take these medications for diabetes, talk to your doctor before taking glucosamine.

Cancer medications such as Doxorubicin, Etoposide, and Teniposide: Glucosamine may negatively interact with these drugs. There is some concern that glucosamine may increase cell growth, which is the opposite of what these treatments are designed to do.

Chard J. Glucosamine for osteoarthritis: magic, hype, or confusion? It's probably safe--but there's no good evidence that it works [editorial]. Clegg DO, Reda DJ, Harris CL, et al. Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and the two in combination for painful knee osteoarthritis. N Engl J Med.

Das A, Hammond TA. Efficacy of a combination of FCHG49 glucosamine hydrochloride, TRH low molecular weight sodium chondroitin sulfate and manganese ascorbate in the management of knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage.

Delafuente JC. Glucosamine in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders;