For the treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis, by itself or in combination with chondroitin sulfate.
Toxicity
Mouse, intravenous LD50 is 4170 mg/kg. Side effects that have been reported are mainly mild gastrointestinal complaints such as heartburn, epigastric distress and diarrhea. No allergic reactions have been reported including sulfa-allergic reactions to glucosamine sulfate.
Affected Organisms
Humans and other mammals
Biotransformation
A significant fraction of ingested glucosamine is catabolized by first-pass metabolism in the liver.
Absorption
Approximately 90% of orally administered glucosamine (salt form) gets absorbed from the small intestine.