Use for: Glucosamine is amino sugar that is naturally produced in humans and used in the biosynthesis of macromolecules in articular cartilage. It is used for osteoarthritis with strong evidence as well as other joint disorders, knee pain, back pain, temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and arthralgia.
Chondroitin is glycosaminoglycan that is naturally found in body and manufactured from shark, bovine cartilage or synthetical process. It is used for osteoarthritis, arthralgia, exercise-induced muscle soreness, cataracts, iron-deficiency anemia and gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD). It is mostly used as combination with other products such as glucosamine, iron, etc.
Concerns: Glucosamine is mostly well tolerated in appropriate doses. Glucosamine and its combination products may affect the anticoagulation effects with concerns of increasing the risk of bleeding due to its possible antiplatelet properties. There is no reliable information about Glucosamine use on pregnancy and lactation. Avoid using on pregnancy and lactation.
Chondroitin is mostly used safely in appropriate doses. Chondroitin and its combination products may affect the anticoagulation effects when used with anticoagulants like warfarin and concerns of the increased risk of bleeding.
There is no reliable data for pregnancy and lactation so avoid using it on pregnancy and lactation.