Adults (18 years and older)
In general, doses of 200-400 milligrams have been taken by mouth 2-3 times daily, or 800-1,200 milligrams once daily. Higher doses (up to 2,000 milligrams) may have similar effectiveness. For osteoarthritis, full effects may take several weeks to occur.
To treat bone diseases, 600 milligrams of chondroitin sulfate (Green Pharmaceutical Factory of Chongqing, China) have been taken by mouth twice daily for six months.
To treat coronary artery disease, 4.5 grams of chondroitin have been taken by mouth for 64 months. A dose of 1.5-10 grams has been taken by mouth daily for six years. Chondroitin sulfate A has been injected into the vein at a dose of 5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Chondroitin sulfate C has been injected into the vein at doses of 10-20 milligrams per kilogram of body weight.
To treat osteoarthritis, the most common dose is 200-400 milligrams taken by mouth 2-3 times daily (daily dosages of 800-2,000 milligrams appear to have similar effectiveness). Treatment durations have ranged from three weeks to three years. A dose of 100 milligrams of Matrix® has been injected into the vein daily. Chondroitin has been injected into the muscle daily for six weeks or two 13-week intervals. Chondroitin has been injected into the muscle twice weekly.
To treat psoriasis, 400-800 milligrams of chondroitin sulfate has been taken by mouth daily for two months. A dose of 800 milligrams of CS (Condrosan®) has been taken by mouth daily for three months.
To treat bladder wall inflammation, a single dose of 20-40 milliliters of sodium chondroitin sulfate 0.2 percent (Uracyst®) has been inserted into the bladder weekly for up to six weeks and then once monthly for up to one year. A dose of 20 milliliters of sterile 2 percent sodium chondroitin sulfate has been inserted into the bladder for 30-60 minutes once weekly for seven weeks (for a total of eight treatments).
To treat frequent urination, sodium chondroitin sulphate (Uropol® S) has been inserted with a catheter at a dose of 2 milligrams once a week for four weeks, then monthly for 11 months.
To treat dry eye, eye drops containing chondroitin sulfate have been applied to the eyes.
Note: Chondroitin sulfate products made for tube feeding are not available in the United States.
Children (under 18 years old)
There is no proven safe or effective dose for chondroitin in children.