Relief of Migraine Headache with Glucosamine

An anecdotal case report of a female with osteoarthritis who received glucosamine at 500 mg, 3 times daily, noted that she had relief of her migraine headaches for the first time in 20 years while taking Glucosamine.

After this case report, the authors gave Glucosamine at 500 to 1,500 mg, 3 times daily to 10 other patients with therapy-refractory migraine or migraine-like headaches and noticed after 4 to 6 weeks, there was a significant reduction in the frequency and/or intensity of migraine headaches. In some cases, the migraine relief was dose-dependent, providing relief only after the initial dose of 500 mg, 3 times daily, was increased. There were no adverse side effects to the glucosamine noted after the 6-month observation period.

The authors believe that supplemental glucosamine may enhance mast cell heparin deficiency, which may have an anti-inflammatory effect and prevent neurogenic inflammation that might cause the pain in vascular migraine headache.

Reference

Glucosamine for Migraine Prophylaxis? Russell AL, McCarty MF, Med Hypotheses, 2000;55(3):195-198.

Key concepts: Glucosamine, migraine headaches