Effectiveness of Glucosamine

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At least five randomized, controlled trials have compared glucosamine sulfate, either taken by mouth or injected. In every case, glucosamine sulfate showed results that were significantly better than in the placebo condition. Two of these used intramuscular injections.

In all three randomized trials that compared glucosamine sulfate taken by mouth to a placebo, the use of glucosamine resulted in better outcomes. All comparisons are statistically significant.

• Improved pain and tenderness after 6 to 8 weeks was experienced by 8 out of 10 patients taking glucosamine sulfate versus 2 out of 10 on the placebo (Pujalte et al 1980).
• Crolle and Estes (1980) found that 4 out of 15 patients on glucosamine sulfate were free of symptoms after 3 weeks, but none of the 15 patients on the placebo were improved.
• In the larger study by Rovati (1992), 52% of patients taking glucosamine sulfate and 36% in the placebo group reported improved symptoms after 4 weeks.