Alternative

Chondroitin

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Chondroitin, Chondroitin sulfate

  • See Also
  1. Herbal Medicine
  • Indications
  1. Osteoarthritis (not recommended)
  • Mechanism
  1. Endogenous glycosaminoglycan contained in joint matrix
  1. Effect requires at least one month of therapy
  2. Recent large studies suggest that Chondroitin is not effective
    1. Initially appeared more effective than Placebo at relieving pain
    2. Adding Chondroitin to Glucosamine does not offer significant benefit
  3. References
    1. Reichenbach (2007) Ann Intern Med 146:580-90 [PubMed]
  • Source
  1. Animal sources such as shark and cow cartilage
    1. Theoretical risk of animal disease contamination
  • Dosing
  1. Chondroitin 400 mg orally three time daily
  • Adverse Effects
  1. Well tolerated
  2. Gastrointestinal upset
  • References
  1. Leeb (2000) J Rheumatol 27:205-11 [PubMed]
  2. McAlindon (2000) JAMA 283:1469-75 [PubMed]