Glucosamine Supplements: Benefits, Dosage and Safety
Glucosamine supplements are popular for joint pain, but the large NIH-funded GAIT trial found glucosamine, chondroitin or both did no better than placebo for knee osteoarthritis pain overall. Some people report benefit; if you try it, reassess after 3 months.
Evidence at a glance
| Use | Grade | What the research shows |
|---|---|---|
| Knee osteoarthritis pain | C | No better than placebo overall in the large GAIT trial. |
A: strong, consistent human evidence · B: moderate · C: limited or mixed · D: good evidence of no benefit.
Glucosamine is a building block of cartilage. Supplements are usually made from shellfish shells.
How to take it
Studies used 1,500 mg a day. Stop if there's no improvement after about 12 weeks. See supplements for joint pain.
Safety and interactions
Generally well tolerated. May affect warfarin. Check the source if you have a shellfish allergy.
Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about the supplements you take. Check combinations with our interaction checker.
Sources
This page is for education and is not a substitute for advice from your doctor. Read our medical disclaimer.