Glucosamine is sometimes taken alone or in combination with other products to help ease the symptoms of arthritis and joint pain. However all herbal, over-the-counter and prescription medications can cause unwanted side effects such as palpitations and they may interact with other medications being taken. Before taking glucosamine or if you are experiencing palpitations, talk to your doctor to avoid complications.
Glucosamine
Glucosamine is a substance found naturally in the body in the fluid that surrounds the joints and it plays a role in building tendons, ligaments and cartilage. Glucosamine can also be found in nature and manufactured to produce supplements in various forms, such as glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride and N-acetyl-glucosamine. Glucosamine can also be mixed with chondroitin sulfate, methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, or shark cartilage. While glucosamine appears to be generally safe, it can cause nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, headache, gas, bloating, fatigue and constipation.
Glucosamine and Palpitations
While serious side effects from glucosamine are rare, it can temporarily increase your blood pressure and heart rate or cause palpitations, reports MayoClinic.com. These side effects appear to be most common when taking a glucosamine and chondroitin mixture. Since many situations can cause palpitations, talk to your doctor, who can run tests to determine if the cause is the glucosamine supplement or an underlying medical condition.
Other Complications
Glucosamine supplements can vary widely in the actual amount of certain ingredients they contain and some varieties are high in sodium or potassium. A high level of potassium in the blood, which is called hyperkalemia, can also cause an irregular pulse. In addition, one of the symptoms of too much sodium in the blood or hypernatremia is a racing heart rate, notes the University of Washington. These symptoms can be worse if you are sensitive to sodium or potassium or if you consume high amounts in your diet in addition to taking glucosamine.
Benefits
While more research is needed, taking glucosamine may help the body replace the cartilage lost by those living with osteoarthritis and it may help restore normal fluid levels in the joint. Both may help reduce the pain, stiffness and swelling that osteoarthritis causes. While it is always important to seek medical advice about proper dosage, a general recommendation for those with osteoarthritis is to take 500 mg of glucosamine sulfate or hydrochloride three times daily for 30 to 90 days or a once-daily dose of 1,500 mg, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Take glucosamine under medical supervision, so your physician can monitor your response.
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