A 2016 study of glucosamine and chondroitin enrolled 164 patients with knee pain due to osteoarthritis and gave half of them a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin; the other half received an identical placebo pill. The study was stopped early for an unusual reason: those taking the supplement actually reported worse symptoms than those taking a placebo. This raises the possibility that taking glucosamine and chondroitin might make your joints feel worse than doing nothing. In the same review, the supplement was not found to improve joint mobility or function compared with a placebo ( 11). Glucosamine and chondroitin together Many physicians may still recommend a trial of glucosamine at this point, and if there is not apparent improvement by three months, it would be reasonable to stop glucosamine. Research is ongoing. N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG). Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed Oct. 24, 2020.

Chondroitin and glucosamine is a combination product that has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating osteoarthritis pain. With upward of 3.6% of the global population living with this debilitating condition, many people use or have tried using combined glucosamine and chondroitin supplements to alleviate osteoarthritis pain ( 2). Summary A 2022 analysis of eight studies that included nearly 4,000 people with knee osteoarthritis found no convincing evidence that glucosamine and chondroitin provided major benefit. In general, glucosamine and chondroitin are thought to be safe. However, as with any medication, there are potential risks. In some clinical trials, people taking the glucosamine-chondroitin combination have reported There are many different brands of glucosamine and chondroitin, which are usually sold together as one arthritis supplement. Again, there is no government monitoring to ensure the purity of these products.Glucosamine and chondroitin for osteoarthritis pain. Arthritis Foundation. https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/complementary-therapies/supplements-and-vitamins/glucosamine-chondroitin-osteoarthritis-pain. Accessed Oct. 24, 2020. Finally, a 2 1/2-year study in 407 women with overweight ages 50–60 found 1,500 mg/day of glucosamine sulfate to significantly decrease the risk of knee osteoarthritis compared with a placebo, suggesting that it may work as a preventive therapy ( 9). Chondroitin Glucosamine Sulphate (2KCl) ( Crustaceans), Chondroitin Sulphate, Bulking Agent (Microcrystalline Cellulose), Glazing Agents (Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Glycerol), Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid), Citrus Bioflavonoids Complex, Anti-Caking Agents (Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide), Manganese Sulphate. There are many studies available on the use of glucosamine and chondroitin for osteoarthritis pain, though they have conflicting conclusions on the effectiveness of the supplements. Glucosamine Glucosamine may also be made from a fungus or fermented corn. And due to the animal origin of some ingredients, the supplements may not be suitable for those following a vegan or vegetarian dietary pattern.

Those patients with multiple health conditions should be aware that current prescription medication may interact with dietary supplements, and they should consult their doctor so that side effects can be best monitored. Moreover, as with many supplements that have not been studied, the long-term benefits and safety of the chemical are unknown. It is not certain whether chondroitin, glucosamine, and MSM is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. This product should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a naturally occurring form of sulfur that helps support muscles and tendons in the body.In the same study, 1250 mg/day of glucosamine hydrochloride, 1,200 mg/day of chondroitin sulfate, 100 mg/day of diacerein, 300 mg/day of avocado-soybean unsaponifiable (ASU), and a placebo didn’t change NSAID use ( 8). The usual dosage is 1000mg of glucosamine taken every day. You may need to adjust the amount based on your body weight too. 16 On the other hand, a 2018 analysis showed small improvements in knee osteoarthritis pain with regular use of glucosamine sulfate, though the authors suggested that higher-quality data is needed ( 7). It’s worth bearing in mind that studies on the benefits of glucosamine are limited. Some evidence suggests that taking these supplements for joint health may not have the effect you want. 9 It’s always a good idea to speak to your doctor if you are experiencing pain or other symptoms. Vasiliadis HS, et al. Glucosamine and chondroitin for the treatment of osteoarthritis. World Journal of Orthopedics. 2017; doi:10.5312/wjo.v8.i1.1.

When considering the use of herbal supplements, seek the advice of your doctor. You may also consider consulting a practitioner who is trained in the use of herbal/health supplements. Though the two can be taken separately, glucosamine and chondroitin are commonly taken as a single supplement. This combination has been more extensively studied.Also, a 2-year cohort study found a 36% reduction in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use when taking 1,500 mg of crystalline glucosamine daily ( 8). After 6 months, chondroitin sulfate led to similar pain scores as celecoxib and significantly lower scores than the placebo. Thus, the authors concluded that chondroitin sulfate may be an effective pain remedy for those with knee osteoarthritis pain ( 10). In many European countries, these supplements area prescribedtreatment for OA. In the U.S.,the recommendations on glucosamine and chondroitin are moremoderate,due tothe mixed results of studies.

If you are thinking about taking a glucosamine supplement, it’s essential to be aware of its side effects. On the whole, it’s believed to be safe for most people and side effects tend to be rare. 13 If you do notice any unwanted side effects, stop taking glucosamine and talk to your doctor if you’re concerned. Mayo Clinic researchers agree, saying that evidence supports trying glucosamine sulfate — not hydrochloride — with or without chondroitin sulfate for knee OA. Manganese is a mineral which plays a role in the maintenance of normal, healthy bones and in the normal formation of connective tissue. MSM is an odorless and tasteless natural sulfur compound found in all living things. Sulfur is needed by the body for healthy connective tissue and joint function and has purported pain-quashing and anti-inflammatory properties. However, keep in mind that glucosamine is commonly derived from chitin — a compound found in shellfish. Therefore, those with a shellfish allergy should read the label carefully and opt for varieties made from cows or pigs ( 17).

Glucosamine side effects

Many people with arthritis -- especially osteoarthritis -- use supplements in their diet to ease the pain of arthritis. Glucosamine and chondroitin are the most well-known. Methyl sulfonylmethane (MSM) is another supplement used to ease the pain of arthritis, but it has not been through as much scientific testing. Studies havealsodiffered on which of these supplements offers the greatest benefitfor OA. Some find chondroitinto be superior, others favor glucosamine, while still othersprefera combination of the two.“Evidence would favor the two,”D’Adamosays. “They’re typically bundled that way when you buy them.” Since the GAIT trial came out, a few large studies have shown more positive results, saysD’Adamo. “If you look at the totality of the evidence for glucosamine and chondroitin for osteoarthritis of the knee, it’s very strong.”