ABSTRACT

Osteoarthritis is a common disease and a significant cause of disability in the elderly. Available treatment does not affect the course of osteoarthritis but exerts only a symptomatic effect on pain. Recently many drugs have been introduced with the aim of chondroprotection. Among them glucosamine and chondroitin are the most common drugs which have been used in several studies. Nevertheless, the results vary across various studies. While a chondroprotective effect has been observed in some studies, in a number of studies the effects of glucosamine or chondroitin alone or in combination did not differ with placebo. Different drugs dosages, duration of treatment, and treatment outcomes and study designs have been considered the most important confounders affecting the results of various studies as well as for explanation of the contradictory results. In addition, in a number of studies, drugs such as diacerein, anti-osteoporotic medications, soya bean, and tetracycline have shown chondroprotective potentials in osteoarthritis. This review by comparing the results of available studies provides a rational for prescription of these drugs in osteoarthritis.