Formulary
Glucosamine: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Glucosamine is a natural substance found in mucopolysaccharides, mucoproteins, and chitin.
MedNext Academy | 3 min read
Glucosamine: Indications, Dosing, Side Effects and Interactions
Glucosamine is a natural substance found in mucopolysaccharides, mucoproteins, and chitin.
Drug action
Glucosamine is a natural substance found in mucopolysaccharides, mucoproteins, and chitin.
Indications and dose
**Symptomatic relief of mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee**
- **Adult** (By Mouth): 1500 mg once daily, review treatment if no benefit after 2-3 months.
Cautions
Asthma; impaired glucose tolerance; predisposition to cardiovascular disease
Side effects
Common or very common Constipation; diarrhoea; fatigue; gastrointestinal discomfort; headache; nausea Uncommon Flushing; skin reactions Rare or very rare Jaundice Frequency not known Angioedema; asthma; diabetes mellitus; dizziness; hypercholesterolaemia; oedema; vomiting
Interactions
**Other interactions (5):**
- Increased INR has been reported in patients taking glucosamine and other anticoagulant (e.g.
- Increased INR has been reported in patients taking glucosamine and oral vitamin K antagonists.
- Patients treated with oral vitamin K antagonists should therefore be closely monitored at the time of initiation or termination of glucosamine therapy.
- Increased INR has been reported in patients taking glucosamine and warfarin.
- There are limited data on possible drug interactions with glucosamine, but increments in the INR parameter have been reported with oral vitamin K antagonists.
Pregnancy
Manufacturers advise avoid-no information available.
Breast feeding
Manufacturers advise avoid-no information available.
Medicinal forms
Clinical governance
**Author:** MedNext Clinical Team. **Clinical reviewer:** Dr Shameer Deen, MBBS, MS, MRCS. **Sources:** BNF, Indian Pharmacopoeia, CIMS India. **Correction:** Report errors at support@mednext.academy.
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