chondroitin and Drug-Hypersensitivity

Drug allergies are specific to characteristics of the medication's chemical structure.

Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Chondroitin; Drug Hypersensitivity; Glucosamine; Humans; Infections; Orthopedics; Osteoarthritis; Osteoporosis; Pain; Sensory System Agents

This study investigates spontaneous adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to glucosamine and chondroitin in the Australian population between 2000 and 2011, with a primary focus on hypersensitivity reactions.. Case reports of ADR to glucosamine and chondroitin sent to the Therapeutic Goods Administration between 2000 and 2011 were obtained and analysed. The demographic information and severity of the ADR were recorded for individual ADR cases. These reactions were classified according to the Brown. In this study of 366 ADRs to glucosamine and chondroitin preparations, 71.85% of cases (n=263) were found to have hypersensitivity reactions. Of these 263 cases, 92 cases were classified as mild (eg, pruritus, urticaria and lip oedema), 128 cases classified as moderate (such as dyspnoea, nausea and abdominal pain), and 43 cases classified as severe (including amnesia, gait disturbance, somnolence and hypotension). It is not clear whether the patients involved had a known shellfish allergy or underlying atopy.. Results of this investigation support the need for clear labelling on glucosamine and chondroitin preparations to raise awareness of possible adverse events for those predisposed to allergy or atopy in response to shellfish.

Topics: Analgesics; Australia; Chondroitin; Drug Hypersensitivity; Drug Labeling; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Female; Glucosamine; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Needs Assessment; Nonprescription Drugs; Osteoarthritis