A lot of people take glucosamine for arthritis symptoms but new studies suggest that it doesn’t really have any clinically meaningful effect on the condition. They studied it in a randomised trial for patients with arthritis of the hip. Link to article

Most of them had relatively early hip arthritis and about half had had arthritis for three years or less. They compared the treatment to the use of a placebo. The study was “double-blinded” so that all the doctors, patients and researchers were not aware of who was taking the real medication. The study was done without funding by a manufacturer.

They found that the use of glucosamine had no significant effect on pain levels, physical function, stiffness, need for pain medication or progression of the arthritis.

There has been a deal of controversy on whether glucosamine is effective. Some of the publications in the past showing it is effective have been funded by manufacturers. Some previous studies have also shown that it has not been effective. In our experience people tend not to take this medication long term. It is partly due to the significant expense and also the need to take on a regular basis. Many people though do cease taking it due to lack of effect.

If you have any questions about this please feel free to contact the doctors at Quality Occupational Health or contact your medical practitioner regarding any medication.