Glucosamine and chondroitin

Glucosamine and chondroitin is used for osteoarthritis. If your joints hurt, see your health care provider. It is important to find out what’s causing your joint pain.

Glucosamine and chondroitin Overview

Reviewed: June 19, 2014
Updated: 

Glucosamine and chondroitin are dietary supplements.

Glucosamine and chondroitin is used most often for osteoarthritis, a common type of arthritis that destroys cartilage in the joints.

Reports of upset stomach with glucosamine and chondroitin have been seen.

Glucosamine and chondroitin Cautionary Labels

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precautions

Uses

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Glucosamine and chondroitin is used most often for osteoarthritis, a common type of arthritis that destroys cartilage in the joints.

Glucosamine and chondroitin may be used for other conditions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Side Effects of Glucosamine and chondroitin

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Common side effects of glucosamine and chondroitin include the following:

  • upset stomach

This is not a complete list of glucosamine and chondroitin side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Glucosamine and chondroitin Interactions

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Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

  • warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)

This is not a complete list of glucosamine and chondroitin drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

 

 

Glucosamine and chondroitin Precautions

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Special precautions & warnings:

  • Glucosamine might affect the way your body handles sugar, especially if you have diabetes or other blood sugar problems, such as insulin resistance or impaired glucose tolerance.
  • A study in rats showed that long-term use of moderately large doses of glucosamine might damage the kidneys.
  • If you take warfarin or have blood sugar problems, make sure you talk to your doctor about potential side effects if you are considering or taking glucosamine or chondroitin supplements.
  • If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is especially important to see your health care provider before taking any medication or supplement, including glucosamine or chondroitin.