Chondroitin sulfate (marine)

Table of contents

• What is chondroitin sulfate (marine)?
• How does chondroitin sulfate (marine) work?
• Which conditions is it used or studied for?
• How is chondroitin sulfate (marine) given?
• What do the clinical trials show?
• What side effects are known?

What is chondroitin sulfate (marine)?

Chondroitin sulfate (marine) is a polymer-based substance, meaning it is made of large molecules built from repeating smaller units. It belongs to the class of medicines known as chondroitin sulfate, which carries the ATC code M01AX25.^[1] The registry name for this substance is chondroitin sulfate sodium; chondroitin sulfate (marine).^[1]

The substance is authorised as a medicine in Hungary under the product name Condrosulf 800 mg tabletta.^[1] It is also available in various combination products, for example with glucosamine, as listed in the NHS dm+d browser.^[2]

How does chondroitin sulfate (marine) work?

The data provided does not include a description of the molecular mechanism of action for chondroitin sulfate (marine). No information on how the substance exerts its effects at a cellular or molecular level is available in the sources.

Which conditions is it used or studied for?

• Knee osteoarthritis with moderate to severe pain — the registered trial is investigating chondroitin sulfate (marine) 800 mg tablets for treating pain and functional impairment in this condition.^[1]

How is chondroitin sulfate (marine) given?

Chondroitin sulfate (marine) is given as a tablet that is taken by mouth (oral route of administration).^[1] In the registered clinical trial, the dose studied is 800 mg.^[1] The NHS dm+d browser also lists chondroitin sulfate in various oral forms, including capsules, chewable tablets, effervescent tablets and oral solutions, often in combination with glucosamine.^[2]

What do the clinical trials show?

One Phase 3 trial is registered for chondroitin sulfate (marine) in the EU Clinical Trials Information System.^[1] The trial is authorised and plans to enrol 520 participants.^[1] It is an interventional study comparing the efficacy and safety of chondroitin sulfate 800 mg tablets of two different origins: bovine and marine.^[1] The main goal is to demonstrate that bovine chondroitin sulfate is not inferior to marine chondroitin sulfate in treating pain and functional impairment due to knee osteoarthritis over 24 weeks.^[1]

The trial measures two primary outcomes. The first is the change from baseline to week 24 in the weekly mean of average daily pain in the target knee, measured on a 0 to 10 numeric rating scale (NRS). The second is the change from baseline to week 24 in the WOMAC function subscale score, also measured on a 0 to 10 NRS.^[1] The WOMAC function subscale assesses how well a person can perform everyday physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs and getting up from a chair.

What side effects are known?

No side effect information for chondroitin sulfate (marine) is provided in the available sources.