Overdoses of Oral Chondroprotective Agents

Oral chondroprotective agents such as glucosamine and chondroitin have been used for many years in animals and humans for the management of degenerative joint disease, and multiple veterinary products exist now with a large variety of ingredients in addition to those two. 

Historically, oral chondroprotective agents have been thought to have wide safety. LD50s for oral glucosamine in animals are approximately 8000 mg/kg with no adverse effects at 2700 mg/kg for 12 months. 

A study done with cats with an oral chondroprotective agent at twice a therapeutic dose for 30 days showed no clinically significant hematologic, biochemical or hemostatic changes. Another study in dogs showed minor but not clinically significant hematologic and hemostatic changes during a 30-day oral chondroprotective study. 

More recently a paper discussed the results of a necropsy and toxicologic finding on a patient that developed hepatic failure due to an ingestion of joint supplement overdose. Significant elevations in manganese levels were found in the liver and the kidney.

If you have a patient who overdoses on an oral chondroprotective agent, precaution should be taken in minimizing exposure (emesis, charcoal) as well as monitoring liver enzymes and considering hepatoprotective agents.   

More information on chondroprotective agents can be found here. 

Learn more about oral joint supplements and Alpha Lipoic Acid.