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Glucosamine

Medication Information Leaflet

What is this medication for?

Glucosamine may help to provide relief in osteoarthritis, especially of the knees. Osteoarthritis is a condition caused by the wearing down of the cartilage, a substance that helps to cushion the ends of bones in your joints. Glucosamine reduces joint pain and stiffness by strengthening the cartilage and reducing friction around the joints.

How should I take or use this medication?

Do not stop taking your medications without checking with your healthcare professional
This medication may be taken with or without food

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only the usual dose. Do not double your dose or use extra medication to make up for the missed dose.

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

You are allergic to this medication, or any of the other ingredients in this medication
You are allergic to shellfish (many products may contain shellfish)
You are taking blood-thinning medications (e.g. aspirin, warfarin), which may increase the risk of bleeding when taken together with Glucosamine

What are some common side effects of this medication?

Some side effects of Glucosamine may include stomach discomfort (e.g. nausea, passing out gas more often or heartburn), or headaches.

You may reduce the stomach discomfort by taking medication with or after food

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately?

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
Difficulty in breathing
Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children. Throw away all expired medications.

How do I throw away this medication safely?

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing it into the rubbish chute or bin.

Disclaimer

Please take note that the above is not a complete list of all possible side effects. If you have any concerns about your medication or if you have other side effects that you think are caused by this medication, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.

This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.

Last updated on December 2022

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This article was last reviewed on Thursday, June 22, 2023