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Dietary supplement

Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by The Vitamin Shoppe

Softgel Capsule Category: Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate is a dietary supplement by The Vitamin Shoppe with 2 active ingredients. Its ingredients are commonly taken for osteoarthritis joint pain, joint stiffness, cartilage support.Based on those ingredients, 2 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Chondroitin Sulfate. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate by The Vitamin Shoppe

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 2 of its 2 active ingredients.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This softgel contains 2 active ingredients: chondroitin sulfate and D-glucosamine hydrochloride, both commonly used together for joint support. The capsule shell and other inactive ingredients include soybean oil, gelatin, glycerin, soy lecithin, carob extract, titanium dioxide, and beeswax.

Does it work?

Moderate evidence
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Moderate

Some clinical evidence supports this product's ingredients for its stated purpose, but it isn't conclusive.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: joint mobility and flexibility support.
  • We looked for evidence on: Osteoarthritis, Temporomandibular disorders (TMD), Exercise-induced muscle soreness, cartilage health, joint stiffness.
  • The strongest evidence on file: Chondroitin Sulfate is rated "Possibly Effective" for Osteoarthritis (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Chondroitin Sulfate is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Exercise-induced muscle soreness, Temporomandibular disorders (TMD).

Chondroitin sulfate is possibly effective for cataracts and osteoarthritis based on the evidence we have. For aging skin, osteoporosis, high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), and colorectal adenoma, the evidence isn't strong enough to rate it either way.

We don't have effectiveness data on file for the glucosamine HCl component of this product.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Chondroitin Sulfate

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Chondroitin sulfate is generally well tolerated for short-term use, though quality and benefit vary across products. The most common side effects taken by mouth are abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, and nausea.

Rare serious side effects include liver damage. Some people have reported skin symptoms like eyelid swelling, lower limb swelling, hair loss, or rash when taking chondroitin, glucosamine, or a combination of both.

A few cases of asthma flare-ups and sun sensitivity have been reported with glucosamine-chondroitin products. The safety information for this product during pregnancy and breastfeeding isn't sufficient — talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized guidance if you're pregnant, nursing, or planning to be.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Chondroitin Sulfate

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Chondroitin Sulfate.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 2 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Before taking this product, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you take warfarin (Coumadin) or any other blood thinner — chondroitin sulfate may increase their effect on your blood.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with some supporting evidence for its stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

If you have osteoarthritis or cataracts and want to try a joint-support supplement, chondroitin and glucosamine are possibly effective options. If you take warfarin or any blood thinner, check with your doctor or pharmacist before starting — this product may affect how your medication works.

For other questions about whether it's right for you, talk it over with your own healthcare provider.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 2 active ingredients matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Nov 20, 2017.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate, straight from the product label.

Brand The Vitamin Shoppe
Barcode (UPC) 766536033980
Net contents 120 Softgel(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Nov 20, 2017
DSLD ID 80391
Product type Non-nutrient/non-botanical
Supplement form Softgel Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Gluten Free, Dairy Free
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate by The Vitamin Shoppe, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
3 Softgel(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
3 Softgel(s)
Servings per container
40
UPC/BARCODE
766536033980
IngredientAmount% DV
Calories25 Calorie(s)--
Total Fat2.5 Gram(s)3%
Chondroitin Sulfate400 mg--
D-Glucosamine HCl500 mg--

Other ingredients: Soybean Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, purified Water, Soy Lecithin, Carob extract, Titanium Dioxide, yellow Beeswax

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
General Statements

Easy to swallow Joint Mobility Flexibility Specialty

Actual size

Visit www.vitaminshoppe.com or call 1-800-223-1216 for more information and to reorder.

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Formulation

Gluten free Dairy free Nut free

Does Not Contain: Wheat, gluten, salt, dairy, citrus, fish, artificial colors or flavors.

Formula

Contains: Soy and Crustacean Shellfish (shrimp, crab).

Precautions

Contains: Soy and Crustacean Shellfish (shrimp, crab).

Warning: Do not use this product if you are allergic to shellfish or sulfur.

Consult your physician prior to use if you are diabetic.

Keep out of reach of children.

Tamper evident Do not use if outer seal is broken or missing.

FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Directions: As a dietary supplement, take three (3) softgels three times daily, preferably with meals.

Storage

Store in a cool, dry place.

General

Item No. VS-3398 2022911 ER 6

See for yourself

Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate by The Vitamin Shoppe label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate by The Vitamin Shoppe

These are the 2 active ingredients this product is made of. Select any to open its full monograph.

Serving size3 Softgel(s) Dosage formSoftgel Capsule Servings per container40 Amounts shown are per serving.

Most supplement products combine several ingredients, and a medication can interact with the product through any one of them. Each ingredient below shows whether it has known drug interactions.

Chondroitin Sulfate

Interacts with
2 drugs
400 mg per serving

Chondroitin sulfate is a naturally occurring building block of cartilage that is widely taken, often with glucosamine, for osteoarthritis joint pain....

Chondroitin Sulfate monograph & interactions

D-Glucosamine HCl

500 mg per serving

Other (inactive) ingredients: Soybean Oil, Gelatin, Glycerin, Purified Water, Soy Lecithin, Carob extract, Titanium Dioxide, Yellow Beeswax. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate by The Vitamin Shoppe Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
2Drugs
2 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Chondroitin Sulfate1 drug type · 2 drugs

Warfarin (Coumadin)

Taking chondroitin in combination with glucosamine might increase the anticoagulant effects of warfarin. However, the effect of chondroitin alone is unclear.
There have been multiple reports of increased international normalized ratio (INR) in patients taking warfarin with glucosamine, with or without chondroitin. The lack of reports with chondroitin alone seem to suggest that the interactions occurring in these reports may have been due to glucosamine. In two individual case reports, glucosamine/chondroitin combinations were associated with a significant increase in INR in patients previously stabilized on warfarin. Additionally, 20 voluntary case reports to the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) have linked glucosamine plus chondroitin with increased INR, bruising, and bleeding in patients who were also taking warfarin. There have also been 20 additional case reports to the World Health Organization (WHO) that link glucosamine alone, without chondroitin, to increased INR in patients taking warfarin.

Likelihood Unlikely Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate, from the product label.

The Vitamin Shoppe

See all The Vitamin Shoppe products
Name
Vitamin Shoppe, Inc.
City
Secaucus
State
NJ
ZipCode
07094
Phone Number
1-800-223-1216
Web Address
www.vitaminshoppe.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate by The Vitamin Shoppe: Common Questions

Does Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate by The Vitamin Shoppe interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate has a known interaction with 2 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate contains 2 active ingredients, and an interaction can come from any of them. We check every ingredient, combine the results into one list per medication, and show which ingredient and mechanism is responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take this while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
There isn't enough safety information to recommend chondroitin sulfate during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for advice about your specific situation — they can weigh the potential benefits and risks for you.
What are the most common side effects?
If taken by mouth, the most common side effects are abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, and nausea. Some people have also reported skin symptoms, swelling, or rash, particularly when taking chondroitin and glucosamine together.
Will this help my joint pain?
Chondroitin sulfate is possibly effective for osteoarthritis based on available evidence. Results vary, quality differs between products, and the benefit is uncertain — talk with your doctor about whether it's worth trying for your particular situation.
Does this contain any allergens?
Yes — this product contains soy (in the soybean oil and soy lecithin) and gelatin. If you have allergies to either, this product isn't suitable for you.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate is safe with your meds?

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Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Glucosamine Chondroitin Sulfate's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 22 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Chondroitin Sulfate 22 references
  1. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2002.
  2. Tallia AF, Cardone DA. Asthma exacerbation associated with glucosamine-chondroitin supplement. J Am Board Fam Pract 2002;15:481-4..
  3. Danao-Camara T. Potential side effects of treatment with glucosamine and chondroitin. Arthritis Rheum 2000;43:2853. PubMed
  4. Rozenfeld V, Crain JL, Callahan AK. Possible augmentation of warfarin effect by glucosamine-chondroitin. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2004;61:306-307. PubMed
  5. Clegg DO, Reda DJ, Harris CL, et al. Glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, and the two in combination for painful knee osteoarthritis. N Engl J Med 2006;354:795-808. DOI
  6. Knudsen J, Sokol GH. Potential glucosamine-warfarin interaction resulting in increased international normalized ratio: Case report and review of the literature and MedWatch database. Pharmacotherapy 2008;28:540-8. PubMed
  7. Yue QY, Strandell J, Myrberg O. Concomitant use of glucosamine potentiates the effect of warfarin. Jan 2006. Drug Safety 29(10):911-1010. DOI
  8. Nordling, J. and van, Ophoven A. Intravesical glycosaminoglycan replenishment with chondroitin sulphate in chronic forms of cystitis. A multi-national, multi-centre, prospective observational clinical trial. Arzneimittelforschung. 2008;58(7):328-335. PubMed
  9. Nickel, J. C., Egerdie, B., Downey, J., Singh, R., Skehan, A., Carr, L., and Irvine-Bird, K. A real-life multicentre clinical practice study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravesical chondroitin sulphate for the treatment of interstitial cystit
  10. Oliviero, U., Sorrentino, G. P., De Paola, P., Tranfaglia, E., D'Alessandro, A., Carifi, S., Porfido, F. A., Cerio, R., Grasso, A. M., Policicchio, D., and . Effects of the treatment with matrix on elderly people with chronic articular degeneration. Drug
  11. Crowley, D. C., Lau, F. C., Sharma, P., Evans, M., Guthrie, N., Bagchi, M., Bagchi, D., Dey, D. K., and Raychaudhuri, S. P. Safety and efficacy of undenatured type II collagen in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a clinical trial. Int.J.Med.Sc PubMed
  12. Nickel, J. C., Egerdie, R. B., Steinhoff, G., Palmer, B., and Hanno, P. A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel group pilot evaluation of the efficacy and safety of intravesical sodium chondroitin sulfate versus vehicle control in patients with
  13. Sawitzke, A. D., Shi, H., Finco, M. F., Dunlop, D. D., Harris, C. L., Singer, N. G., Bradley, J. D., Silver, D., Jackson, C. G., Lane, N. E., Oddis, C. V., Wolfe, F., Lisse, J., Furst, D. E., Bingham, C. O., Reda, D. J., Moskowitz, R. W., Williams, H. J.
  14. Wildi, L. M., Raynauld, J. P., Martel-Pelletier, J., Beaulieu, A., Bessette, L., Morin, F., Abram, F., Dorais, M., and Pelletier, J. P. Chondroitin sulphate reduces both cartilage volume loss and bone marrow lesions in knee osteoarthritis patients starti
  15. Pavelka and et al. Double-blind, dose effect study of oral cs 4 & 6 1200mg, 800mg, 200mg against placebo in the treatment of femorotibial osteoarthritis. Wular Rheumatol Liter 1998;27(suppl 2):63.
  16. Cerda C, Bruguera M, Parés A. Hepatotoxicity associated with glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in patients with chronic liver disease. World J Gastroenterol 2013;19(32):5381-4. PubMed
  17. von Felden J, Montani M, Kessebohm K, Stickel F. Drug-induced acute liver injury mimicking autoimmune hepatitis after intake of dietary supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 2013;51(3):219-23. PubMed
  18. Provenza JR, Shinjo SK, Silva JM, Peron CR, Rocha FA. Combined glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, once or three times daily, provides clinically relevant analgesia in knee osteoarthritis. Clin Rheumatol 2015;34:1455-62. PubMed
  19. Ossendza RA, Grandval P, Chinoune F, Rocher F, Chapel F, Bernardini D. [Acute cholestatic hepatitis due to glucosamine forte]. Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 2007 Apr;31(4):449-50.
  20. Greenlee H, Crew KD, Shao T, Kranwinkel G, Kalinsky K, Maurer M, Brafman L, Insel B, Tsai WY, Hershman DL. Phase II study of glucosamine with chondroitin on aromatase inhibitor-associated joint symptoms in women with breast cancer. Support Care Cancer 201 PubMed
  21. Chu EC, Huang KHK, Cheung G, Ng G, Lin A. Delayed Skin Allergy to Glucosamine Chondroitin Supplement. Cureus 2023;15(3):e36310. PubMed
  22. Lila AM, Alekseeva LI, Baranov AA, et al. Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine combination in patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis: A long-term observational study in Russia. World J Orthop 2023;14(6):443-457. PubMed

See these in context on the Chondroitin Sulfate monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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