CHITOSAN: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Chitosan is a sugar that comes from the outer skeleton of shellfish, including crab, lobster, and shrimp. It's used as medicine and in drug manufacturing.

Chitosan is a fibrous substance that might reduce how much fat and cholesterol the body absorbs from foods. It also helps blood clot when applied to wounds.

People use chitosan for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, wound healing, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

High blood pressure. Replacing table salt with a table salt product that contains small amounts of chitosan (Symbiosal) might help lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure.
Obesity. Taking chitosan by mouth while on a calorie-restricted diet can improve weight loss in people who are overweight or obese, but only by a very small amount.
Recovery after surgery. Applying a chitosan gel might help prevent scar tissue from forming in the sinuses after surgery.

There is interest in using chitosan for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Chitosan is possibly safe when used for up to 3 months. It might cause stomach upset, constipation, or gas.

When applied to the skin: Chitosan is possibly safe when used short-term.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if chitosan is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Shellfish allergy: Chitosan is taken from the outer skeleton of shellfish. People with allergies to shellfish might also be allergic to chitosan.

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Warfarin (Coumadin) interacts with CHITOSAN
Warfarin is a blood thinner. There is some concern that taking chitosan might increase the blood-thinning effects of warfarin. This could increase the risk for bruising or bleeding.
Acyclovir (Zovirax) interacts with CHITOSAN
Taking chitosan with acyclovir might reduce the amount of acyclovir the body absorbs. This might reduce the effects of acyclovir.

Dosing

Chitosan has most often been used by adults in doses of 1-1.35 grams by mouth daily for up to 12 weeks. It's also used in mouthwashes, gels, chewing gum, eye drops, and wound dressings. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Guerciolini R, Radu-Radulescu L, Boldrin M, et al. Comparative evaluation of fecal fat excretion induced by orlistat and chitosan. Obes Res 2001;9:364-7.. View abstract.

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Hernández-González SO, González-Ortiz M, Martínez-Abundis E, Robles-Cervantes JA. Chitosan improves insulin sensitivity as determined by the euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp technique in obese subjects. Nutr Res. 2010;30(6):392-5. View abstract.

Ho SC, Tai ES, Eng PH, et al. In the absence of dietary surveillance, chitosan does not reduce plasma lipids or obesity in hypercholesterolaemic obese Asian subjects. Singapore Med J 2001;42:6-10. View abstract.

Huang SS, Sung SH, Chiang CE. Chitosan potentiation of warfarin effect. Ann Pharmacother 2007;41:1912-4. View abstract.

Jing SB, Li L, Ji D, et al. Effect of chitosan on renal function in patients with chronic renal failure. J Pharm Pharmacol 1997;49:721-3. View abstract.

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Kubbinga M, Nguyen MA, Staubach P, et al. The influence of chitosan on the oral bioavailability of acyclovir-a comparative bioavailability study in humans. Pharm Res 2015;32(7):2241-9. View abstract.

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Madrazo-Jiménez M, Rodríguez-Caballero Á, Serrera-Figallo MÁ, et al. The effects of a topical gel containing chitosan, 0,2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and despanthenol on the wound healing process subsequent to impacted lower third molar extraction. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2016;21(6):e696-e702. View abstract.

Metso S, Ylitalo R, Nikkila M, Wuolijoki E, et al. The effect of long-term microcrystalline chitosan therapy on plasma lipids and glucose concentrations in subjects with increased plasma total cholesterol: a randomised placebo-controlled double-blind crossover trial in healthy men and women. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2003;59:741-6. View abstract.

Mhurchu CN, Poppitt SD, McGill AT, et al. The effect of the dietary supplement, Chitosan, on body weight: a randomised controlled trial in 250 overweight and obese adults. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2004;28:1149-56. View abstract.

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Muzzarelli R, Biagini G, Pugnaloni A, et al. Reconstruction of parodontal tissue with chitosan. Biomaterials 1989;10:598-603. View abstract.

Muzzarelli R, Tarsi R, Fillippini O, et al. Antimicrobial properties of N-carboxybutyl chitosan. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 1990;34:2019-23. View abstract.

Muzzarelli RA, Biagini G, Bellardini, et al. Osteoconduction exerted by methylpyrrolidinone chitosan used in dental surgery. Biomaterials 1993;14:39-43. View abstract.

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Pittler MH, Abbot NC, Harkness EF, Ernst E. Randomized, double-blind trial of chitosan for body weight reduction. Eur J Clin Nutr 1999;53:379-81. View abstract.

Rao SB, Sharma CP. Use of chitosan as a biomaterial: studies on its safety and hemostatic potential. J Biomed Mater Res 1997;34:21-28. View abstract.

Savica V, Calo LA, Mondardo P, et al. Salivary phosphate-binding chewing gum reduces hyperphosphatemia in dialysis patients. J Am Soc Nephrol 2009;20(3):639-44. View abstract.

Schmidl D, Werkmeister R, Kaya S, et al. A Controlled, Randomized Double-Blind Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Chitosan-N-Acetylcysteine for the Treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2017;33(5):375-382. View abstract.

Sciutto AM, Colombo P. Lipid-lowering effect of Chitosan dietary integrator and hypocaloric diet in obese subjects. Acta Toxicol Ther 1995;16:215-29.

Shields KM, Smock N, McQueen CE, Bryant PJ. Chitosan for weight loss and cholesterol management. Am J Health Syst Pharm 2003;60:1310-2, 1315-6. View abstract.

Spigoni V, Aldigeri R, Antonini M, et al. Effects of a new nutraceutical formulation (berberine, red yeast rice and chitosan) on non-HDL cholesterol levels in individuals with dyslipidemia: Results from a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study. Int J Mol Sci. 2017;18(7). pii: E1498. View abstract.

Tai TS, Sheu WH, Lee WJ, et al. Effect of chitosan on plasma lipoprotein concentrations in type 2 diabetic subjects with hypercholesterolemia. Diabetes Care 2000;23:1703-4. View abstract.

Thanou M, Verhoef JC, Junginger HE. Oral drug absorption enhancement by chitosan and its derivatives. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2001;52:117-26.. View abstract.

Totsuka Sutto SE, Rodríguez Roldan YI, Cardona Muñoz EG, et al. Efficacy and safety of the combination of isosorbide dinitrate spray and chitosan gel for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers: A double-blind, randomized, clinical trial. Diab Vasc Dis Res. 2018;15(4):348-351. View abstract.

Tsujikawa T, Kanauchi O, Andoh A, et al. Supplement of a Chitosan and ascorbic acid mixture for Crohn's disease. A pilot study. Nutrition 2003;19:137-9.. View abstract.

Ueno H, Mori T, Fujinaga T. Topical formulations and wound healing applications of chitosan. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2001;52:105-15.. View abstract.

Valentine R, Athanasiadis T, Moratti S, Hanton L, Robinson S, Wormald PJ. The efficacy of a novel chitosan gel on hemostasis and wound healing after endoscopic sinus surgery. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2010;24(1):70-5. View abstract.

Veneroni G, Veneroni F, Contos S, et al. Effect of a new chitosan dietary integrator and hypocaloric diet on hyperlipidemia and overweight in obese patients. Acta Toxicol Ther 1996;17:53-70.

Vilasan A, Venkatesh PML, Varadhan KB, George JP, Dubey A. Comparative evaluation of chitosan chlorhexidine mouthwash in plaque control: a preliminary randomized controlled clinical trial. J Int Acad Periodontol 2020;22(3):166-73. View abstract.

Wuolijoki E, Hirvela T, Ylitalo P. Decrease in serum LDL cholesterol with microcrystalline chitosan. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol 1999;21:357-61.

Ylitalo R, Lehtinen S, Wuolijoki E, et al. Cholesterol-lowering properties and safety of chitosan. Arzneimittelforschung 2002;52:1-7.. View abstract.

Zhou JC, Zhang JJ, Zhang W, Ke ZY, Zhang B. Efficacy of chitosan dressing on endoscopic sinus surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2017;274(9):3269-3274. View abstract.

What to Know About Snap-in Dentures

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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