Does Chondroitin Cause Side Effects?
(This article covers many, but not all, of the possible side effects with chondroitin. Your healthcare provider can discuss a more complete list of chondroitin side effects with you.)
Reported Side Effects of Chondroitin
Side effects of chondroitin reported in studies included:
- Nausea
- Pain in the middle upper abdomen (such as you might feel with acid reflux)
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Swollen eyelids
- Swollen ankles or feet
- Hair loss
- Heart palpitations or a feeling that your heart has skipped a beat.
It is a good idea to let your healthcare provider know if you experience any possible problems with chondroitin, however minor they may seem. You should definitely report any serious, unusual, or distressing side effects, such as heart palpitations or swollen eyelids.
There is some concern that poorly prepared chondroitin could be contaminated with mad cow disease, as many chondroitin supplements are made from cow cartilage. However, there have been no reports of mad cow disease due to these supplements.
There is also some concern that chondroitin could increase the risk of bleeding, especially in people who have a bleeding disorder or who take "blood thinners" (anticoagulants) or antiplatelet medications. Although this risk seems quite small (perhaps nonexistent), make sure to watch for any unusual bruising or bleeding while taking this product.
