Chondroitin

Generic name: Chondroitin
Brand names: OptiFlex-C
Dosage form: oral capsule (400 mg)
Drug class: Nutraceutical products

Usage of Chondroitin

Chondroitin is a naturally occurring substance formed of sugar chains. Chondroitin is believed to help the body maintain fluid and flexibility in the joints.

Chondroitin has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating osteoarthritis pain.

Other uses not proven with research have included treating cataracts, bladder problems, heart disease, or osteoporosis.

Chondroitin may have been combined with other plants or extracts in a specific preparation to treat these conditions.

It is not certain whether chondroitin is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Chondroitin should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Chondroitin is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Chondroitin may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

Chondroitin side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Although not all side effects are known, chondroitin is thought to be possibly safe when taken for up to 6 years.

Stop using chondroitin and call your healthcare provider at once if you have:

irregular heartbeats; or

swelling in your legs.

Common side effects of chondroitin may include:

nausea, diarrhea, constipation;

mild stomach pain;

hair loss; or

puffy eyelids.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Chondroitin

You should not use this product if you are allergic to chondroitin.

Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have:

asthma;

prostate cancer; or

bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia.

It is not known whether chondroitin will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant.

Chondroitin may pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without medical advice.

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Warnings

Follow all directions on the product label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.

What other drugs will affect Chondroitin

Do not take chondroitin without medical advice if you are using any of the following medications:

warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven).

This list is not complete. Other drugs may interact with chondroitin, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this product guide.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.