Pharmacotherapeutic group: other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic agents, ATC code:
M01AX25
The active substance in Condrodin, chondroitin sulfate sodium salt, is a polysaccharide belonging to the glycosaminoglycan group.
Chondroitin sulfate is one of the major components of cartilage, as it forms part of its main protein, proteoglycan, which is the basis for the mechanical and elastic properties of cartilage.
The therapeutic effects of chondroitin sulfate in patients with osteoarthritis are based on an anti-inflammatory effect at the cellular level (in vivo), stimulation of endogenous proteoglycan synthesis (in vitro) and hyaluronic acid synthesis (in vivo), and reduction of the catabolic activity of chondrocytes (in vivo) by inhibiting certain proteolytic enzymes (e.g. collagenase, elastase, proteoglycanase, phospholipase A2, N-acetyl-glucosaminidase) (in vitro, in vivo), as well as the formation of other substances that damage cartilage (in vitro).
Clinical studies in patients with osteoarthritis have shown that treatment with chondroitin sulfate eliminates or improves symptoms of knee and hip osteoarthritis, such as pain and functional limitation. The effect becomes apparent within 6–8 weeks and persists for 2–3 months after completion of treatment. For short-term pain relief, diclofenac has superior efficacy.
⚠️ Warnings
Patients with cardiac disease and/or renal impairment:
Very rarely (<1/10,000), oedema and/or fluid retention may occur. This is due to the osmotic effect of chondroitin sulfate.
Patients with hepatic impairment:
There is no experience with chondroitin sulfate in patients with hepatic impairment. Therefore, particular caution should be exercised when treating these patients.
In clinical studies, chondroitin sulfate was not observed to adversely affect platelets at the recommended dosage. In rats, signs of platelet aggregation inhibition were observed at substantially higher doses (50 mg/kg/day, corresponding to a daily dose of 4000 mg in humans). This effect should be taken into account when chondroitin sulfate is used concomitantly with platelet aggregation inhibitors such as acetylsalicylic acid, dipyridamole, clopidogrel, and ticlopidine.
The dosage of concomitantly administered analgesics should be regularly reviewed, as the use of chondroitin sulfate may reduce the need for pain-relieving medications.
The onset of action is slow; therefore, this product is not suitable for the treatment of acute pain.
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