Glucosamine clinical trials

Glucosamine sulfate is very well tolerated. In clinical trials, mild diarrhea and nausea were occasionally reported. Cross allergenicity in people with shellfish allergies is a potential concern however, this is unlikely if the formulation has been properly manufactured and purified. 

The dosage used most often in clinical trials is 500 mg three times daily or 1500 mg once daily. Glucosamine does not have direct analgesic effects, and improvements in function, if any, may not be observed for 1-2 months. 

ReginsterJY, Deroisy R, Rovati LC, et al. Long-term effects of glucosamine sulphate on osteoarthritis progression a randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Lancet. 2001 357 251-256. 

A meta-analysis of six published randomized clinical trials investigating glucosamine in OA up to and including 1999 demonstrated moderate to large effects. The authors concluded that even though these trials were associated with exaggerated estimates of benefit, it appeared that glucosamine did have efficacy in... 

All the clinical trials that have been performed on glucosamine have shown it to be safe. However, there are allegations that the trials have been liable to bias, as some of the trials to date have had sponsorship from companies that manufacture glucosamine supplements. An additional concern is that most trials have been carried out using less than maximal daily dose of ibuprofen as control, and none compared glucosamine with paracetamol, both of which are widely used NSAIDs. 

Scroggie, D.A. Albright, A. Harris, M.D. The effect of glucosamine-chondroitin supplementation on glycosylated hemoglobin levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus a placebo-controlled, double-blindM, randomized clinical trial. Arch. Intern. Med. 2003,163 (13), 1587-1590. 

The results of GAIT were further supported by findings of some scientists in Bern, Switzerland. They analyzed 10 clinical trials, which involved a total of 3803 patients, and concluded that glucosamine and chondroitin, either alone or in combination, did not outperform placebos in preventing joint damage. Their results left no room for doubt Coverage of costs by health authorities or health insurers for these preparations and novel prescriptions to patients who have not received other treatments should be discouraged. ... 

REVIEW OF RESEARCH STUDIES AND CLINICAL TRIALS 10.4.1 Glucosamine... 

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