Glucosamine Side Effects

Glucosamine and chondroitin are both naturally present in the human body. People with osteoarthritis or other joint problems have a glucosamine deficiency in their cartilage. Usually, glucosamine chondroitin sulfate supplements are recommended to provide the cartilage its shock-absorbing properties, to reduce inflammation and to help patients experience pain relief. When taken in recommended doses, these supplements are considered safe for short term use. However, long term use and overdose can result in side effects.

Glucosamine Side Effects in Humans
According to the study reports, long term use or excessive consumption of glucosamine can cause

• Insomnia
• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Heartburn
• Vomiting
• Stomach upset
• Abdominal pain

Study reports suggest that regular use of glucosamine may alter blood sugar levels, insulin and/or hemoglobin A1c, in people with diabetes or insulin resistance. More studies need to be conducted to discover the side effects of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Till then, people with diabetes or hypoglycemia and also those who are taking medication or supplements that affect blood sugar, should use glucosamine very cautiously.

In rare cases, use of glucosamine can result in temporary elevation of blood pressure, rapid heart rate and palpitations. It is also believed that glucosamine intake increases the risk of bleeding. Therefore, if you are diagnosed with high blood pressure or any bleeding disorders or if you are taking any anti-clotting or anti-platelet medications, such as warfarin, clopidogrel, and ticlid, or if you are taking supplements that are known to increase the risk of bleeding, such as garlic, ginkgo, vitamin E or red clover, then you should not take glucosamine unless under the supervision of your doctor. People who have allergies to shellfish, should avoid glucosamine unless it has been certified that it is made from a non-shellfish source. Manufacturers are not required to print the source of glucosamine on the label, so you may have to call the manufacturer to know about the source of glucosamine.

Many glucosamine supplements contain vitamin C. The consumers need to check the quantity of vitamin C since too much vitamin C can cause some serious side effects. The safety of glucosamine in pregnant or nursing women is not known. So they should avoid taking glucosamine. It is also considered unsafe for children. Similarly, glucosamine is not recommended to people with asthma or prostate cancer. How glucosamine intake can affect blood pressure levels is already explained.

Some people claim that prolonged use of glucosamine has resulted in weight gain. But the exact relationship between glucosamine side effects and weight gain has not been proved with the help of specially conducted studies. Glucosamine may interfere with other drugs like teniposide, diabetic medications and acetaminophen. Drugs administered in chemotherapy along with glucosamine may result in internal bleeding.

Almost all study reports conclude that use of glucosamine and chondroitin can be considered safe when instructions regarding glucosamine chondroitin dosage are religiously followed. Glucosamine taken with meals can help avoid stomach problems. Actually, glucosamine hydrochloride helps in rebuilding cartilage, slows the advancement of osteoarthritis, and relieves pain without the side effects of COX-2 inhibitors and NSAIDS. Glucosamine side effects like headache or nausea are usually experienced by people who take it regularly. To avoid the side effects, supplements manufactured by a reliable company should only be consumed. Adverse effects of glucosamine have not shown any case of fatality and the benefits of glucosamine greatly outweigh the minor side effects.