General

Pronunciation
konn-DROY-tinn

Trade Name(s)

• chondroitin polysulfate

• CPS

• CDS

Action

May serve as a building block of articular cartilage. May protect cartilage against degradation. May have antiatherogenic properties

Therapeutic Effect(s):
Improvement in osteoarthritis symptoms

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Unknown

Distribution: Unknown

Metabolism and Excretion: Unknown

Half-life: Unknown

TIME/ACTION PROFILE

Contraindication/Precautions

Contraindicated in:
Pregnancy and lactation

Use Cautiously in:

• Asthma (may exacerbate symptoms)

• Clotting disorders (may increase risk of bleeding)

• Prostate cancer (may increase risk of metastasis or recurrence)

Adverse Reactions/Side Effects

GI: heartburn, nausea, diarrhea.

Hemat: bleeding (antiplatelet effect).

Misc: allergic reactions, edema, hair loss.

*CAPITALS indicates life-threatening.
*italic indicates most frequent.

Interactions

Natural Products-Drug
Use of chondroitin with anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs, thrombolytics, NSAIDs, some cephalosporins, and valproates may increase risk of bleeding

Natural Products-Natural Products
Herbs with anticoagulant or antiplatelet properties may increase bleeding risk when combined with chondroitin, including: anise, arnica, chamomile, clove, dong quai, fenugreek, feverfew, ginger, ginkgo, Panax ginseng, licorice, and others

Route/Dosage

• PO (Adults):
Osteoarthritis—200–400 mg 2–3 times daily or 1000–1200 mg once daily.
Prevention of recurrent myocardial infarction-10 grams daily in 3 divided doses for 3 months.

• IM (Adults):
Osteoarthritis—50 mg twice weekly for 8 weeks every 4 months.

Availability

• Tablets^OTC

• Capsules^OTC

• Injection (not available in US)

• Ophthalmic Drops Rx in combination with sodium hyaluronate (Viscoat)

Assessment

• Evaluate drug profile before starting therapy with this herbal supplement. If the patient is taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs, avoid use of this herb

• Monitor pain (type, location and intensity) and range of motion on an ongoing basis as an indicator of drug efficacy

• Evaluate gastric discomfort and instruct patient to seek out the advice of a health care provider if persistent gastric discomfort occurs

• Assess for signs of bleeding and discontinue herbal supplement promptly and seek out healthcare professional for follow up

Potential Nursing Diagnoses

• Acute pain

• Impaired physical mobility

Implementation

Take with food

Patient/Family Teaching

• Advise patients that this herbal supplement is usually taken with glucosamine

• Caution patients who take aspirin or NSAIDs or other nonprescription medications not to take this herbal supplement without conferring with their health care provider

• Warn women taking this herbal supplement to stop it if they suspect they are pregnant, and not to use it if they are breast feeding

• Instruct patients that this medication works by building up cartilage and that this requires that the medication be taken consistently over a period of time. It is not recommended as a supplemental pain medication

Evaluation/Desired Outcomes

• Improvement in pain and range of motion

• Reduced need for supplemental or breakthrough pain medication

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