Is this a medicinal product, and how does it differ from glucosamine and chondroitin supplements?

No — SUSTAVIT is a cosmetic gel-balm for external use only. Its purpose is skin care and the feeling of warmth and comfort in the lower back area during massage; it is not a medicinal product and does not replace advice from a specialist if you have persistent or worsening back complaints.

The confusion often comes from the ingredient list. Glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate are widely known as oral joint supplements, where they are swallowed in measured doses. In this product they are included in an external formula and simply form part of a topical blend applied to the skin during massage — the product is not a source of these substances for the body in the way a supplement would be, and using the gel-balm is not equivalent to taking them internally.

In practice this distinction matters for expectations: what you should expect from the gel-balm is a warming, stimulating sensation on the skin and a texture suited to rubbing in during an evening self-massage after exercise, physical work or long sitting. Anything beyond skin-level care — ongoing pain, numbness or discomfort that does not ease with rest — is a reason to see a doctor rather than to increase the amount of product used.