Chondroitin sulfate

Related Terms

ACS4-ACS6, ADAMTS7B, aggrecan, agrin, biglycan, biostat, CDS, chondroitin 4-sulfate, chondroitin 6-sulfate, chondroitin sulfate A, chondroitin sulfate C, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG), chondroitin sulfate, chondroitin sulfates, chondroitin sulphate A, chondroitin sulphate A sodium, chondroitin sulphate E, chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (NG2, neurocan, versican, phosphacan, neuroglycan C), chondroitin sulfuric acid, chondroitinase ABC, chondroprotective agents, chondrosine, chonsurid, CHST11, condroitin, Condrosulf?, Condrosulf 400?, CS, CSA, CSC, D-acetylgalactosamine, D-galactosamine, D-glucuronic acid, danaparoid, decorin, dentin sialoprotein, depolymerized holothurian glycosaminoglycan, dermatan sulfate, DexSol?, disease modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOAD), extended chondroitin sulfate/dermatan (CS/DS), fucosylated chondroitin sulfate, GAG, galacotosaminoglucuronoglycan sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, glucosamine salts, glucosamine sulfate, glucosaminoglycan, Integra?, Matrix?, mesoglycan, N-acetylglucosamine, neurocan, neuroglycan C (NGC), perineuronal nets (PNs), sodium chondroitin, sodium chondroitin sulphate, Structum?, sulfato de condroitina, symptomatic slow acting drug in osteoarthritis (SYSADOA), Syndecan, SYSADOA, uronic acid, Uropol?-S, versican.
Combination products examples: CystoProtek? (chondroitin sulfate, sodium hyaluronate, quercetin), Mega-Gluflex (glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin sulfate), Optisol? (chondroitin sulfate and dextran), Viscoat? (chondroitin sulfate and sodium hyaluronate).
Note: This bottom line monograph does not include in-depth information about glycosaminoglycans (GAGs).

Background

Chondroitin sulfate is a molecule that is found naturally in the body. It has mostly been used to treat joint disorders, such as osteoarthritis, and problems with the chewing muscles and joints.
Clinical trials on the use of chondroitin for osteoarthritis have found promising results. However, most of the studies are conducted for less than two years. Adequate assessment of long-term safety, side effects, and effectiveness is lacking.
Early evidence suggests that chondroitin sulfate may improve the absorption of iron and measures of coronary artery disease. However, more research is needed in these areas.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Chondroitin sulfate is considered a promising treatment for osteoarthritis. It is most often used to treat osteoarthritis of the finger, knee, hip joints, low back, and facial joints. Research has mostly focused on knee osteoarthritis, with fewer studies conducted on other joints. Clinical trials suggest that chondroitin may have significant effects when compared to placebo. Chondroitin is a slow-acting medication that may lead to reduced doses of other drugs. However, adequate assessment of long-term safety, side effects, and effectiveness is lacking.

 A


Chondroitin sulfate is considered a promising treatment for osteoarthritis. It is most often used to treat osteoarthritis of the finger, knee, hip joints, low back, and facial joints. Research has mostly focused on knee osteoarthritis, with fewer studies conducted on other joints. Clinical trials suggest that chondroitin may have significant effects when compared to placebo. Chondroitin is a slow-acting medication that may lead to reduced doses of other drugs. However, adequate assessment of long-term safety, side effects, and effectiveness is lacking.

 A


Chondroitin sulfate is considered a promising treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. It is also most often used to treat osteoarthritis of the finger, hip joints, low back, and facial joints. Clinical trials suggest that chondroitin may have significant effects when compared to placebo. Chondroitin is a slow-acting medication that may lead to reduced doses of other drugs. However, adequate assessment of long-term safety, side effects, and effectiveness is lacking.

 A


Chondroitin sulfate is considered a promising treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. It is also most often used to treat osteoarthritis of the finger, hip joints, low back, and facial joints. Clinical trials suggest that chondroitin may have significant effects when compared to placebo. Chondroitin is a slow-acting medication that may lead to reduced doses of other drugs. However, adequate assessment of long-term safety, side effects, and effectiveness is lacking.

 A


Research suggests that chondroitin may benefit people who have overactive bladder. Sodium chondroitin sulfate may be as effective as overactive bladder drugs. More evidence is needed before firm conclusions can be made.

 B


Research suggests that chondroitin may benefit people who have overactive bladder. Sodium chondroitin sulfate may be as effective as overactive bladder drugs. More evidence is needed before firm conclusions can be made.

 B


A study reports that chondroitin sulfate may benefit people who have Kaschin-Beck disease, which affects the bone and causes joint pain or stiffness. Further study is needed in this area.

 C


A study reports that chondroitin sulfate may benefit people who have Kaschin-Beck disease, which affects the bone and causes joint pain or stiffness. Further study is needed in this area.

 C


Chondroitin is believed to improve symptoms and mortality of coronary artery disease. Long-term trials involving larger groups of people are needed. However, chondroitin may have benefits when used with conventional therapy.

 C


Chondroitin is believed to improve symptoms and mortality of coronary artery disease. Long-term trials involving larger groups of people are needed. However, chondroitin may have benefits when used with conventional therapy.

 C


Chondroitin may be found in some products used to treat eye disorders, such as dry eyes and cornea inflammation. However, studies suggest that there may be a lack of difference between products that contain chondroitin and those that do not for dry eye treatment. More research is needed in this area.

 C


Chondroitin may be found in some products used to treat eye disorders, such as dry eyes and cornea inflammation. However, studies suggest that there may be a lack of difference between products that contain chondroitin and those that do not for dry eye treatment. More research is needed in this area.

 C


Early research suggests that chondroitin may benefit people who have inflammation of the bladder wall. More evidence is needed before a firm conclusion may be made.

 C


Early research suggests that chondroitin may benefit people who have inflammation of the bladder wall. More evidence is needed before a firm conclusion may be made.

 C


Early evidence suggests that taking chondroitin and iron together may help improve iron absorption in healthy people. More research is needed in this area.

 C


Early evidence suggests that taking chondroitin and iron together may help improve iron absorption in healthy people. More research is needed in this area.

 C


Chondroitin sulfate may reduce pain and inflammation, and has been studied for sore muscles. However, one study found a lack of effect on soreness before and after exercise. More research is needed to confirm these results.

 C


Chondroitin sulfate may reduce pain and inflammation, and has been studied for sore muscles. However, one study found a lack of effect on soreness before and after exercise. More research is needed to confirm these results.

 C


Studies suggest that chondroitin sulfate may improve symptoms of psoriasis, a condition causing skin redness and irritation. More research is needed in this area before firm conclusions can be made.

 C


Studies suggest that chondroitin sulfate may improve symptoms of psoriasis, a condition causing skin redness and irritation. More research is needed in this area before firm conclusions can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that a combination of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin may help prevent urinary tract infections in women with recurring infections. More research is needed in this field.

 C


Early research suggests that a combination of hyaluronic acid and chondroitin may help prevent urinary tract infections in women with recurring infections. More research is needed in this field.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
In general, doses of 200-400 milligrams have been taken by mouth 2-3 times daily, or 800-1,200 milligrams once daily. Higher doses (up to 2,000 milligrams) may have similar effectiveness. For osteoarthritis, full effects may take several weeks to occur.
To treat bone diseases, 600 milligrams of chondroitin sulfate (Green Pharmaceutical Factory of Chongqing, China) have been taken by mouth twice daily for six months.
To treat coronary artery disease, 4.5 grams of chondroitin have been taken by mouth for 64 months. A dose of 1.5-10 grams has been taken by mouth daily for six years. Chondroitin sulfate A has been injected into the vein at a dose of 5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Chondroitin sulfate C has been injected into the vein at doses of 10-20 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.
To treat osteoarthritis, the most common dose is 200-400 milligrams taken by mouth 2-3 times daily (daily dosages of 800-2,000 milligrams appear to have similar effectiveness). Treatment durations have ranged from three weeks to three years. A dose of 100 milligrams of Matrix? has been injected into the vein daily. Chondroitin has been injected into the muscle daily for six weeks or two 13-week intervals. Chondroitin has been injected into the muscle twice weekly.
To treat psoriasis, 400-800 milligrams of chondroitin sulfate has been taken by mouth daily for two months. A dose of 800 milligrams of CS (Condrosan?) has been taken by mouth daily for three months.
To treat bladder wall inflammation, a single dose of 20-40 milliliters of sodium chondroitin sulfate 0.2 percent (Uracyst?) has been inserted into the bladder weekly for up to six weeks and then once monthly for up to one year. A dose of 20 milliliters of sterile 2 percent sodium chondroitin sulfate has been inserted into the bladder for 30-60 minutes once weekly for seven weeks (for a total of eight treatments).
To treat frequent urination, sodium chondroitin sulphate (Uropol? S) has been inserted with a catheter at a dose of 2 milligrams once a week for four weeks, then monthly for 11 months.
To treat dry eye, eye drops containing chondroitin sulfate have been applied to the eyes.
Note: Chondroitin sulfate products made for tube feeding are not available in the United States.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Chondroitin may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Chondroitin may affect blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs that may also affect blood pressure.
Chondroitin may also interact with agents that may affect the immune system, agents that may affect the nervous system, agents that may dissolve easily in water, agents that may harm the liver, agents that may increase sun sensitivity, agents that may treat arthritis, agents that may treat asthma, agents that may treat malaria, agents that may treat osteoporosis, anticancer agents, anti-inflammatory agents, antiviral agents, birth control, calcium salts, cholesterol-lowering agents, diabetes agents, eye agents, gout agents, heart agents, hyaluronan, hyaluronidase, iron salts, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs), polyethylene glycol, skin agents, and stomach agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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