Posted January 15, 2008 2:32 PM

Glucosamine is an amino monosaccharide which is located in almost all tissues in the human body, including cartilage O&N-linked glycosaminoglycans form the backbone of all connective tissues and Glucosamine is a component of these glycosaminoglycans.

Function and pain relief are improved in knee osteoarthritis with the use of Glucosamine Sulfate. Bruyer, et al performed a three year randomized, placebo controlled, prospective study to determine the effect of Glucosamine and Chondroitin on symptom and function in 212 patients with knee osteoarthritis. There was a significant reduction in joint space narrowing in patients who had mild arthritis. The researchers also reported similar efficacies for both Glucosamine and Chondroitin in other three year, double blinded, control studies.

Chondroitin Sulfate can be found in bone, human cartilage, cornea, skin and the walls of arteries. It is derived from bovine and calf cartilage. Chondroitin Sulfate is more poorly absorbed and larger, when compared to Glucosamine Sulfate. Chondroitin Sulfate has been demonstrated to reduce pain from osteoarthritis and to improve function in numerous, small, three to twelve month, randomized placebo controlled clinical trials.

Very elderly people, children and pregnant women should avoid Glucosamine since studies among these groups do not exist. Chondroitin should be used very carefully in patients who are using blood thinning drugs since Chondroitin is chemically similar to some of these drugs. Possible side effects of Glucosamine include skin rash, drowsiness, headache, heartburn, diarrhea and nausea.

The response to Glucosamine Sulfate is slower than NSAIDS. 1500 mg daily, in divided doses, for patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis should be considered. If there is no response after three months, then Glucosamine Sulfate should be discontinued.

In the treatment of pain from osteoarthritis, Chondroitin Sulfate can be used in the amounts of 1200 mg per day or 400 mg three times a day.