Glucosamine

Glucosamine is a sugar protein that helps your body create cartilage, which is the hard tissue mainly found on the bones near your joints.

Glucosamine is a natural substance found in bones, bone marrow, shellfish, and fungus.

Glucosamine has been used in alternative medicine to help relieve joint pain, swelling, and stiffness caused by arthritis.

Not all uses for glucosamine have been approved by the FDA. Glucosamine should not be used instead of medication prescribed by your doctor.

Glucosamine is often sold as an herbal supplement. Many herbal compounds do not have regulated manufacturing standards, and some supplements on the market have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be bought from a reliable source to reduce the risk of contamination.

Glucosamine may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

When thinking about using herbal supplements, talk to your doctor. You may also want to consult a practitioner who knows about herbal/health supplements.

If you decide to use glucosamine, follow the directions on the package or those given by your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider. Do not take more than what is recommended on the label.

Do not use different types of glucosamine at the same time without medical advice. Using different types together raises the risk of taking too much glucosamine.

Glucosamine can cause unusual results in a blood glucose (sugar) test. Do not use this product without your doctor's advice if you are diabetic.

If you are having surgery, inform the surgeon beforehand that you are using glucosamine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short period.

It may take up to 8 weeks for your symptoms to improve. For the best results, continue using glucosamine as directed.

Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse while using glucosamine.

Store at room temperature, away from moisture and heat.

Follow all directions on the product label and package. Inform each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you are taking.

You should not use this product if you are allergic to glucosamine.

Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have:

• diabetes;
• high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);
• cancer;
• liver disease;
• asthma or other breathing disorder;
• if you are allergic to shellfish; or
• if you take a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven).

It is not known whether glucosamine will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant.

Glucosamine may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Common side effects of glucosamine may include:

• nausea, vomiting;
• diarrhea, constipation; or
• heartburn.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Usual Adult Dose for Dietary Supplement:

This product is a dietary supplement with no official approved dosing. Consult product labeling.

Skip the missed dose if it is close to the time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra glucosamine to compensate for the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Some glucosamine products also contain manganese. Taking too much of this combination can cause a manganese overdose. Do not take more than directed on the medicine label.

Other drugs may interact with glucosamine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform all your health care providers about all medicines you are currently using and any medicines you begin or stop using.