Glucosamine Sulfate
Glucosamine sulfate (2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose sulfate)
Also known as: glucosamine sulfate, glucosamine sulphate, D-glucosamine sulfate
This ingredient is classified as unclassified risk (GIRI score: 3.5/10).
Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Shellfish allergy -- derived from crustacean chitin
- May raise blood glucose in diabetics -- monitor glycaemic control
- Warfarin interaction documented in case reports
- Long-term safety data generally reassuring but warrants monitoring
Contraindications
- Shellfish allergy -- derived from crustacean chitin
- May raise blood glucose in diabetics -- monitor glycaemic control
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Glucosamine sulfate is the form of glucosamine with the most clinical trial evidence for osteoarthritis of the knee (superior to glucosamine HCl in some trials). Derived from shellfish chitin — significant shellfish allergy concern. May modestly raise blood glucose in diabetics. Anticoagulant interaction with warfarin documented in case reports.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Glucosamine sulfate (2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose sulfate)
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Joint Health
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Shellfish allergy -- derived from crustacean chitin
- May raise blood glucose in diabetics -- monitor glycaemic control
- Warfarin interaction documented in case reports
- Long-term safety data generally reassuring but warrants monitoring
The available scientific evidence for Glucosamine Sulfate indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 25 მარ 2026, 17:34
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWSafety Assessment of Glucosamine Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. ↗Ferguson P et al.. Safety Assessment of Glucosamine Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics.. Int J Toxicol. 2026. PMID:41757447.PMID 41757447 ↗Journal Int J ToxicolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41757447/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW[Ways to optimize the management of lower back pain patients at the outpatient stage]. ↗Shavlovskaya OA et al.. [Ways to optimize the management of lower back pain patients at the outpatient stage].. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2025. PMID:41524362.PMID 41524362 ↗Journal Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S KorsakovaYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41524362/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWWuFu Decoction alleviates osteoarthritis by regulating TGF-u03b21/Smad and ERK1/2 pathways. ↗Ye Z et al.. WuFu Decoction alleviates osteoarthritis by regulating TGF-u03b21/Smad and ERK1/2 pathways.. Histol Histopathol. 2025. PMID:41251095.PMID 41251095 ↗Journal Histol HistopatholYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41251095/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWInfluence of graded levels of glucosamine sulfate on growth performance, hematological and biochemical health biomarkers, carcass traits, and economic efficiency in broiler… ↗Abd El-Aziz AH et al.. Influence of graded levels of glucosamine sulfate on growth performance, hematological and biochemical health biomarkers, carcass traits, and economic efficiency in broiler chickens.. Poult Sci. 2025. PMID:40953557.PMID 40953557 ↗Journal Poult SciYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40953557/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEffects of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3), chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate on the growth performance, calcium and phosphorus metabolism, and bone development of weaned… ↗Xi Y et al.. Effects of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3), chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate on the growth performance, calcium and phosphorus metabolism, and bone development of weaned piglets.. Anim Nutr. 2025. PMID:40896478.PMID 40896478 ↗Journal Anim NutrYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40896478/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEnabling a Robust Long-Life Zinc-Iodine Flow Battery by Stabilizing the Zinc Anode in a Halide-Rich Electrolyte. ↗Li C et al.. Enabling a Robust Long-Life Zinc-Iodine Flow Battery by Stabilizing the Zinc Anode in a Halide-Rich Electrolyte.. Small. 2025. PMID:40872987.PMID 40872987 ↗Journal SmallYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40872987/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWPharmacist-Driven Chondroprotection in Osteoarthritis: A Multifaceted Approach Using Patient Education, Information Visualization, and Lifestyle Integration. ↗Del Ru00edo E. Pharmacist-Driven Chondroprotection in Osteoarthritis: A Multifaceted Approach Using Patient Education, Information Visualization, and Lifestyle Integration.. Pharmacy (Basel). 2025. PMID:40863703.PMID 40863703 ↗Journal Pharmacy (Basel)Year 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40863703/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWDoes Salt Form Matter? A Pilot Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Pharmacokinetic Comparison of Crystalline and Regular Glucosamine Sulfate in Healthy Volunteers. ↗Chang C et al.. Does Salt Form Matter? A Pilot Randomized, Double-Blind, Crossover Pharmacokinetic Comparison of Crystalline and Regular Glucosamine Sulfate in Healthy Volunteers.. Nutrients. 2025. PMID:40806074.PMID 40806074 ↗Journal NutrientsYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40806074/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW[Comparative evaluation of oral chondroprotectors effectiveness in patients with low back pain]. ↗Shavlovskaya OA et al.. [Comparative evaluation of oral chondroprotectors effectiveness in patients with low back pain].. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova. 2025. PMID:40760892.PMID 40760892 ↗Journal Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S KorsakovaYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40760892/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWComparative study of the efficacy of glucosamine sulfate capsules and Huoxue Xiaozhong prescription in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis and the recovery… ↗Peng Z et al.. Comparative study of the efficacy of glucosamine sulfate capsules and Huoxue Xiaozhong prescription in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis and the recovery of knee joint function.. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2025. PMID:40501230.PMID 40501230 ↗Journal Pak J Pharm SciYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40501230/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Glucosamine Sulfate. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for Glucosamine Sulfate
A score of 3.5 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.