Is taking Glucosamine bad for the stomach?

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor I Le Nguyen Hong Tram - Gastroenterologist - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.

Glucosamine has long been known to aid pain relief and treat conditions such as osteoarthritis and arthritis. However, many people still have a certain hesitation when using glucosamine because they do not know whether taking glucosamine is harmful to the stomach?

Glucosamine is one of the naturally occurring compounds, classified as an amino sugar. This compound is like a "brick" to support the body, helping to build cells and tissue structure. Glucosamine is important for many functions in the body, such as helping cells develop and maintaining cartilage in joints.
Not only in human joints, but glucosamine is also found in several species of plants and animals, namely from the tissues of seashells, animal bones and fungi. In fact, glucosamine deficiency in humans is often obtained from these natural sources.
Medically, glucosamine is commonly known and widely used in the treatment and prevention of joint disorders, typically osteoarthritis. Glucosamine can be taken by mouth or applied topically as a cream or ointment.

Thanks to the benefits in the treatment of osteoarthritis, glucosamine is widely used and trusted by many people. However, many people are also quite hesitant to know whether taking glucosamine in general or specifically Japanese glucosamine is harmful to the stomach?
Answering the question of whether glucosamine is harmful to the stomach, many researchers around the world say that there is no such risk. Using glucosamine to treat degenerative joint diseases for 2-3 months is normal without affecting the patient's stomach. In the US, glucosamine is classified as a functional food with anti-degenerative effects and has no analgesic effect, so it is safe for the intestinal tract of users.
However, among the study participants on the use of glucosamine to treat osteoarthritis, there were rare cases of stomach side effects, which affected the digestive system with symptoms. discomfort such as flatulence, nausea, bloating, indigestion, loss of appetite, diarrhea or constipation. At the same time, researchers on glucosamine also recommend that people with cardiovascular diseases or hypertension, ... also be cautious and consult a doctor before using this substance.
If taking oral glucosamine, patients should also avoid using it at the same time with drugs with antipyretic and analgesic effects such as paracetamol or drugs used to treat hyperlipidemia statin... Glucosamine has the ability to increase absorption absorption of tetracyclines in the stomach and intestines, thereby reducing the effectiveness of these drugs. Separate times of the day should be divided to take glucosamine and the above drugs.
In addition, glucosamine should not be given to pregnant women, lactating women, young children and children under 18 years of age because there are currently no clear data on the effectiveness of treatment as well as safety for these patients. this object.

Glucosamine is a functional food commonly used to treat secondary or primary degenerative osteoarthritis, chronic or acute arthritis. The compound is an anti-degenerative, not an anti-inflammatory, so the analgesic effect of glucosamine is usually very slow. Usually, glucosamine is used for 4-6 weeks before the pain relief effect appears. To relieve joint pain in the early stages, patients should combine it with anti-inflammatory pain relievers if the pain is severe. The recommended time to take glucosamine is right at meals or after meals, drink with plenty of water for easier absorption.
The duration of glucosamine use should last from 2 to 3 months, combined with repeated treatment every 6 months or maybe shorter depending on the patient's current condition. A visit with your doctor will help evaluate the effectiveness of glucosamine use after each course of treatment.
Some studies suggest that glucosamine may not work for all patients as well as for different types of osteoarthritis. Therefore, if treatment for 3 - 6 months does not see any effect, the patient should stop taking the drug or change the drug / treatment method according to the advice of the doctor.
So by learning whether glucosamine is harmful to the stomach, it can be seen that this compound is safe for our stomach when used. However, to achieve the maximum effect when treated with glucosamine, patients need to strictly follow the instructions from the doctor.