Chondroitin Sulfate

• Chondroitin sulfate’s suggested uses include osteoarthritis, high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), ischemic heart disease, and osteoporosis.
• A compilation of the studies indicates patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee can experience some benefit from taking chondroitin; however, pain relief is likely to be modest or possibly insignificant.
• Heart attack (myocardial infarction or MI): Some preliminary evidence indicates a possible lower risk of MI or recurrent risk of MI with the use of chondroitin sulfate. More studies are needed.
• Chondroitin sulfate is available under the following different brands and other names: CDS, condroitin, GAG, and galactosaminoglucuronoglycan.

Dosages of Chondroitin Sulfate:

• Dosages vary; check the product label

Dosage Considerations – Should be Given as Follows:

Osteoarthritis

• 200-400 mg orally 2-3 times daily, OR
• 1000-1200 mg orally once daily
• Also used in combo with glucosamine

Heart attack (myocardial infarction or MI), recurrent prophylaxis

• Initial: 10 g orally divided 3 times daily x 3 months THEN
• Maintenance: 500 mg orally three times daily

Side effects of chondroitin_sulfate include:

• allergic reactions
• hair loss
• constipation
• diarrhea
• swelling of eyelids/lower limbs
• stomach/abdominal pain
• irregular heartbeats (extrasystoles)
• nausea

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

• Chondroitin Sulfate has no listed severe interactions with other drugs.
• Chondroitin Sulfate has no listed serious interactions with other drugs.
• Chondroitin Sulfate has no listed moderate interactions with other drugs.
• Chondroitin Sulfate has no listed mild interactions with other drugs.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your physician if you have health questions or concerns.

Warnings

• This medication contains coal tar shampoo. Do not take Neutrogena T/Gel Original, DHS Tar, Doak Tar, Ionil T Plus, PC-Tar, Pentrax, Polytar Shampoo, TeraGel, or Zetar if you are allergic to coal tar shampoo or any ingredients contained in this drug.
• Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

Contraindications

• Anticoagulated (intramuscular/IM use), clotting disorders (IM use)

Effects of Drug Abuse

• No information is available.

Short-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Chondroitin Sulfate?"

Long-Term Effects

• See "What Are Side Effects Associated with Using Chondroitin Sulfate?"

Cautions

• Asthma

Pregnancy and Lactation

• Avoid the use of chondroitin sulfate during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.