Glucosamine
Introduction To Glucosamine
Glucosamine is a medicine used in the treatment of osteoarthritis. It helps in the formation of cartilage and keeps the joints lubricated for better movement and flexibility. This way it relieves the pain and swelling in the joints.
Glucosamine is to be taken with food. Take it regularly and do not stop taking the medicine even if you get better until that doctor tells you it is alright to stop. Along with taking the medicine, exercise regularly to strengthen muscles around the affected joint and manage your weight.
The use of this medicine may cause some common side effects like nausea, stomach upset, and heartburn. If these side effects do no go away with time or bother you, talk to your doctor. Your doctor may help with ways to reduce or prevent these symptoms.
To make sure the medicine is safe for you, before taking this medicine, let your doctor know if you have any problems with your heart, kidneys, or liver. Also, tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Uses of Glucosamine
- Osteoarthritis
Benefits of Glucosamine
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes pain and stiffness in the joints.
Glucosamine helps relieve pain and reduces inflammation and swelling in your
joints due to this condition. This will ensure that you have a better, more
active, quality of life.
Additionally, you may consider simple lifestyle modifications such as regular
exercise, losing weight, maintaining good posture while doing various daily
activities, and wearing comfortable footwear. This will help you manage mild
symptoms of osteoarthritis very effectively in the long run.
Side effects of Glucosamine
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Flextra
- Nausea
- Upset stomach
- Heartburn
How to use Glucosamine
Use this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check the label for directions before use. Glucosamine is to be taken with food.
How Glucosamine works
Glucosamine is a proteoglycan synthesis stimulator that relieves osteoarthritis symptoms. It helps in the formation of cartilage (the soft tissue that cushions the joints) and keeps the joints lubricated for better movement and flexibility.
Quick tips
- Glucosamine is used in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
- Inform your doctor if you have a history of being allergic to shellfish or to glucosamine.
- You will be asked to monitor your blood glucose level while taking Glucosamine.
- Inform your doctor if you are taking any blood thinners like warfarin or if you have any scheduled surgery.
- Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Safety Advice
PregnancyCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Glucosamine if I’m pregnant?
Information regarding the use of Glucosamine during pregnancy is not available. Please consult your doctor.
BreastfeedingSAFE IF PRESCRIBED
Can I take Glucosamine if I’m breastfeeding?
Glucosamine is probably safe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug does not represent any significant risk to the baby.
AlcoholCAUTION
Is drinking alcohol while taking Glucosamine safe?
Caution is advised when consuming alcohol with Glucosamine. Please consult your doctor.
DrivingCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I drive after taking Glucosamine?
It is not known whether Glucosamine alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.
KidneyCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Glucosamine if I have/had kidney diseases?
There is limited information available on the use of Glucosamine in patients with kidney disease. Please consult your doctor.
LiverCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Glucosamine if I have/had liver diseases?
There is limited information available on the use of Glucosamine in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Does Glucosamine actually work in joint pain?
The evidence on the effectiveness of Glucosamine in reducing pain is controversial. Some patients report that Glucosamine has helped reduce arthritis pain, stiffness, and mild to moderate osteoarthritis pain. In fact, there is some evidence that Glucosamine has beneficial effects on the cartilage by slowing down the cartilage breakdown in the joints.
Q. Can Glucosamine cause liver damage?
In research studies, Glucosamine has not been found to raise the liver enzymes or cause any damage. However, there are few recent reports of liver injury while using the products containing Glucosamine. The chances of liver injury are more if the patient has been suffering from chronic liver disease.
Q. Is Glucosamine bad for kidneys?
The effect of Glucosamine on kidneys is not confirmatory. Glucosamine is mostly metabolized and broken down by the liver. However, there are some reports of kidney damage caused due to Glucosamine, but there is a lack of conclusive evidence. Therefore, it should be used with caution in patients with kidney damage and kidney function should be regularly monitored. Do consult your doctor before you start using this medication. Also, inform your doctor if you have any kidney disease.
Q. What are the precautions I should follow while taking Glucosamine?
Do consult your doctor before you start taking this medication and ensure to be cautious if you have diabetes or high blood glucose levels, high risk of heart disease or asthma. You should also be cautious if you are allergic to shellfish or are taking blood-thinning medicines like warfarin. Do tell your doctor if you have any of the above conditions before he prescribes you this medication.
Q. Is it safe to take Glucosamine while taking blood-thinning medication?
No, it is not safe to take Glucosamine while taking blood-thinning medications like warfarin or coumadin. The reason being, this medication interacts with the blood thinners and boosts the effect of the blood-thinning medication, thereby reducing the blood’s ability to form a clot in case of bleeding episodes. Therefore, patients taking any blood-thinning medicine should consult their doctor before starting this medication.
References
Written By:
Dr Advikka Ridhy
MBBS
RMO, Aster MIMS
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