©1997 The Medical Letter
The Medical Letter has received many inquiries about use of glucosamine, a basic constituent of articular cartilage glycosaminoglycans, for treatment of arthritis. A recently published book ("The Arthritis Cure"), several television news shows, and articles in the New York Times have suggested it may be effective for treatment of osteoarthritis. Glucosamine is sold as a "dietary supplement" in the USA.
The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act passed by the United States
Congress in 1994 permits the marketing of a product claimed to affect the
structure or function of the body as a "dietary supplement' without the
approval of any government agency, as long as the labeling includes a
disclaimer saying that it has not been evaluated by the FDA and the product is
not intended to diagnose, treat of prevent any disease. If a question about
safety arises, the burden of proof is on the FDA, not the manufacturer.
In vitro, glucosamine stimulates cartilage cells to synthesize
glycosaminoglycans and proteoglycans [1]. In animal models, oral glucosamine
sulfate has a beneficial effect on inflammation, mechanical arthritis and
immunological-reactive arthritis, but much less that of indomethacin (Indocin
and others) [2].
In short-term controlled trials, glucosamine has been reported to be
effective in relieving pain and increasing range of motion in patients with
osteoarthritis [3]. One four-week double-blind trial in 252 patients with
osteoarthritis of the knee found oral glucosamine sulfate 500 mg three times
a day more effective than placebo in relieving symptoms [4]. Another four-week
double-blind trial in 200 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee found
500 mg of glucosamine sulfate as effective in relieving symptoms as ibuprofen
(Motrin and others) 400 mg three times a day from the second week onward
[5]. In a double-blind eight week study in 40 patients with osteoarthritis,
glucosamine sulfate 500 mg three times a day orally was as effective as
ibuprofen 400 mg three times a day in relieving pain after the first two
weeks, and by the end of the trial was more effective [6].
In all reports,
the drug was generally well tolerated. Gastrointestinal discomfort and nausea
have been reported, but the incidence was no higher than with placebo. One
Medical Letter consultant in a area where many patients are taking glucosamine
has not detected any adverse effects.
Glucosamine is available in pharmacies and health food stores as the sulfate,
hydrochloride, n-acetyl or chlorhydrate salt and as the destrorotatory isomer.
It is sometimes combined with chondroitin sulfate, a glycosaminoglycan that has
been reported to maintain viscosity in joints, stimulate cartilage repair
mechanisms and inhibit enzymes that break down cartilage [7].
Glucosamine appears to be safe and might be effective for treatment of
osteoarthritis, but most published trials of the drug lasted only four to eight
weeks and Medical Letter consultants find them unconvincing. As with other
"dietary supplements," the purity of the glucosamine products sold in
pharmacies, health food stores, and supermarkets in the USA is unknown.
The Medical Letter on Drugs and
Therapeutics
is a highly respected independent, nonprofit, peer-reviewed newsletter intended
mainly for physicians. (The fact that a physician subscribes to it should be
regarded as a sign of good judgment.) This article is reproduced with
permission from Volume 39, pages 91-92, September 26, 1997.
Regulation of Dietary Supplements
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