The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 270 No 7244 p505
12 April 2003

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Glucosamine daily doses vary widely

Wide variation in the recommended dose of glucosamine sulphate has been identified by Health Which?.

An article in the April issue of the magazine says that some suppliers of glucosamine suggest a daily dose below 1,500mg a day — the amount most commonly used in clinical trials. Recommended daily doses varied between 500mg and 2,000mg.

In addition, the price per gram of glucosamine varied from 11.1p to 60.6p. The price differences did not appear to be linked to the amount of glucosamine in the supplement, the article adds.

Holland & Barrett's supplement was subjected to particular criticism. It inaccurately described the content of glucosamine sulphate in its product, says the magazine.

Health Which? concludes: "Our advice is to choose the cheapest brand, which will deliver 1,500mg of glucosamine sulphate a day."