Comments for Consumers

This page/column contains information which may be of interest to consumers. The information is based on articles which appear in Australian Prescriber. As Australian Prescriber is written for health professionals, you should discuss any issues raised by this page/column with your doctor or pharmacist. They will be able to give a more detailed answer to your questions by reading the main article.

Australian Prescriber is unable to comment on individual cases or give second opinions.

---

Australian Prescriber Vol. 27 No. 3 2004

Glucosamine for osteoarthritis of the knee

Osteoarthritis involves damage to the cartilage in people's joints. This narrows the joint and causes pain and stiffness. Treatment with painkillers does not make much difference to the damage in the joint.

Glucosamine is a type of sugar. It helps to build cartilage, so it may help people with damaged joints.

In clinical trials glucosamine has stopped the narrowing of knee joints. It also relieves some people's symptoms.

Although glucosamine helps knee joints, it may not work in other joints. It may not have much effect in severe arthritis.