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Our Members Asked:
What are the side effects of glucosamine and chondroitin?
Answer:
Glucosamine and chondroitin, common ingredients in supplements for joint pain, are generally well-tolerated, but may cause stomach upset in some people. When taken in typical dosages, glucosamine has also been reported to cause mild to moderate drowsiness, skin reactions and headache in clinical trials. Glucosamine may also increase eye pressure in people with glaucoma and, because it's often derived from shellfish, may cause an allergic reaction in some individuals. (Note: a vegetable-based glucosamine ingredient is available in some supplements).
Chondroitin sulfate may worsen symptoms in some people with asthma.
Both glucosamine and chondroitin may have an anti-coagulant effect and should be used with physician supervision if you are taking blood-thinning medication. Also, be aware that certain forms of glucosamine and chondroitin can contain a significant amount of sodium, so you may want to avoid these forms if you are on a low-sodium diet.
For more details, see the Concerns and Cautions section of the Joint Health Supplements Review, which includes the clinical evidence for glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, boswellia and other common joint health ingredients, ConsumerLab.com's tests and reviews of popular joint health products, it's Top Picks among products.
(See our Review of Joint Health Supplements for Pets for evidence, safety and our tests of glucosamine and chondroitin supplements for pets.)
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Deborah10562
May 23, 2023I took Member's Mark Glucosamine HCl / Chondroitin Sulfate Sodium for 8 months. I found that it actually caused severe joint pain in my fingers. When I stopped taking it, the pain mostly went away. I also noticed during that period that the hair on my head seemed to have gotten thinner / more sparse. (I do not have a financial interest in any supplement company.)
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iain10561
February 24, 2022Both my mother and I find that taking glucosamine makes us depressed (black mood, totally down). fortunately, once we realized it was the glucosamine and stopped, we went quickly back to normal. I have not seen this side effect mentioned by anyone else.
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Roger10557
September 02, 2018I believe this also has a tendency to increase blood glucose levels.
ConsumerLab.com
September 04, 2018Hi Roger - Please see the "Concerns and Cautions" section of the Joint Health Supplements Review for information about glucosamine and blood sugar levels: https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/review-glucosamine-chondroitin-msm-boswellia-supplements/jointsupplements/#cautions
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Chuck10556
September 02, 2018I have Dupuytren's Disease and it's well known on Dupuytren's forums that glucosamine, and other supplements like it, should not be taken for people with this type of malady. It's though to stimulate the growth of the nodules.
After discovering I had Dupuytren's I stopped taking it but then after a year or so tried again. The nodes in my palms began to throb and quit taking it immediately.
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