• C2H6OS, dimethyl sulphoxide, dimethylis sulfoxidum, methyl sulfoxide methyl sulphoxide, NSC-763, SQ-9453, Rimso-50®, sulphinybismethane.

• Dimethyl sulfoxide (C₂H₆OS), or DMSO, is a sulfur-containing organic compound. DMSO occurs naturally in vegetables, fruits, grains, and animal products. DMSO is formed as a by-product of paper manufacturing and is used as an industrial solvent.
• DMSO is available for both non-medicinal and medicinal uses. The major use of DMSO is to relieve symptoms of interstitial cystitis (chronic bladder infection). Also, research suggests the potential benefit of DMSO for complex regional pain syndrome.
• Strong evidence for other uses is lacking. DMSO should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional, due to the potential toxic and adverse effects associated with it.

• Allergies, Alzheimer's disease, antibiotic, antioxidant, antiplatelet, bladder disorders, burns, closed head trauma, colitis (inflamed colon), fibromyalgia (pain disorder), gallstones, heart disease, high cholesterol, high or low blood pressure, infection, inflammation, lupus, male contraception, memory, muscle pain, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas), poisoning (rubigine), schizophrenia, spinal cord injury, tuberculosis.

Adults (18 years and older)

• To treat amyloidosis (protein build-up in organs), a dose of 7-15 grams of DMSO has been taken by mouth daily for 16 months and a 50-100% solution of DMSO has been applied twice weekly to the skin.
• To treat duodenal ulcers (ulcer of upper intestine), 500 milligrams DMSO has been taken four times daily by mouth for one year.
• To treat complex regional pain syndrome (chronic limb pain), a cream containing 50% DMSO has been applied to the skin 1-5 times daily for up to 12 months.
• To treat extravasation (drug accidentally going outside of a vein), dressings with 77-99% DMSO solution have been applied to the skin every 3-8 hours to the affected skin for up to two weeks.
• To treat interstitial cystitis (bladder inflammation), 50 milliliters of 50% DMSO has been injected directly into the bladder every 2-4 weeks for up to 10 weeks and sometimes longer. The solution should be retained in the bladder for 30 minutes before voiding.
• To treat intracranial pressure (pressure inside the skull), a 10-28% DMSO solution in a dose ranging from 1-1.12 grams per kilogram has been injected into the vein or muscle.
• To treat osteoarthritis, a dose, such as 40 drops, of 10-25%, 45.5%, 50%, or 90% DMSO was applied to the skin up to four times daily for up to one month.
• To prevent pressure ulcers, a 5% DMSO cream was massaged into the tailbone, heels and ankles for 2-3 minutes every six hours for four weeks.
• To treat rheumatoid arthritis, a 60-90% DMSO solution or gel has been applied to the affected area of skin 1-3 times daily for 1-3 weeks.
• To treat surgical skin flap ischemia (lack of blood flow to skin), a 60% DMSO solution has been applied to skin flaps after surgery every four hours for four days.

Children (under 18 years old)

• There is no proven safe or effective dose for DMSO in children.

Allergies

• Avoid in people with a known allergy or sensitivity to DMSO. Mild allergic reactions to DMSO have been reported.

Side Effects and Warnings

• DMSO is considered safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for administration into the bladder if performed by a healthcare professional for interstitial cystitis (chronic bladder infection).
• Use cautiously when DMSO is applied to the skin, as skin reactions are the most common side effect. Examples of side effects include reddening or darkening of the skin, hardening, rash, itching, burning, drying, scaling, blistering, inflammation, and wheals. The skin side effects usually disappear when DMSO use is stopped.
• DMSO may alter blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs or herbs and supplements that alter blood pressure
• DMSO may increase the risk of bleeding. Caution is advised in people with bleeding disorders or taking drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding. Dosing adjustments may be necessary.
• Drowsiness or sedation may occur with DMSO use. Use caution if driving or operating heavy machinery.
• Avoid in people with urinary tract cancers, liver and kidney dysfunction, and those taking drugs eliminated by the kidneys. Cases of increased urgency, difficult or painful urination, blood in the urine, and red urine discoloration have been reported.
• Avoid stem cell transplants preserved in DMSO and its fumes, as temporary vision loss, headache, brain disease, stroke, heart attack, chest tightness, gastrointestinal reactions, abnormally slow and shallow breathing, fever, and chills have been reported.
• Avoid in people with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to DMSO.
• Avoid using DMSO with sulindac due to potential nerve damage.
• Avoid DMSO injected into the blood or bladder, or when taken by mouth, unless under the guidance of a physician due to potential serious toxic and adverse effects.
• Avoid topical use of the available industrial solvent DMSO, since it may contain impurities which may be absorbed into the body.
• Avoid DMSO use in pregnancy and breast feeding.
• DMSO may also cause abdominal cramps, agitation, altered heart beat, altered vision, anorexia, bad breath, body odor, constipation, destruction of red blood cells, diarrhea, dizziness, eosinophilia (increased white blood cells), fluid build-up in the lungs, flu-like symptoms, flushing, garlic taste, headache, memory loss, nausea, neurotoxicity, seizure, temporary loss of consciousness, trigemino-cardiac reflex (combinations of symptoms including slow heart rate, and low blood pressure), upset stomach, and vomiting.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• There is a lack of scientific evidence on the use of DMSO during pregnancy or lactation.

Interactions with Drugs

• DMSO may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants ("blood thinners") such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin, anti-platelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix®), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®).
• DMSO may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some drugs. Examples include benzodiazepines such as lorazepam (Ativan®) or diazepam (Valium®), barbiturates such as phenobarbital, narcotics such as codeine, some antidepressants, and alcohol. Caution is advised while driving or operating machinery.
• DMSO may alter blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking drugs that alter blood pressure.
• DMSO may also interact with agents eliminated by the kidneys; agents for cancer; agents for the blood, heart, lungs, stomach or intestines; agents for the brain, eyes, nervous system, or skin; agents for ulcers; agents that alter immune function; agents that promote urination; agents that widen blood vessels; antihistamines; anti-inflammatory agents; arthritis agents; cholesterol lowering agents; cholinesterase inhibitors; muscle relaxants; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (e.g. sulindac); pain relievers.

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

• DMSO may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with herbs and supplements that are believed to increase the risk of bleeding. Multiple cases of bleeding have been reported with the use of Ginkgo biloba, and fewer cases with garlic and saw palmetto. Numerous other agents may theoretically increase the risk of bleeding, although this has not been proven in most cases.
• DMSO may alter blood pressure. Caution is advised in people taking herbs or supplements that alter blood pressure.
• DMSO may increase the amount of drowsiness caused by some herbs or supplements.
• DMSO may also interact with antihistamines; anti-inflammatory herbs or supplements; antioxidants; arthritis herbs and supplements; cholesterol lowering herbs or supplements; cholinergics; herbs and supplements that widen blood vessels; herbs or supplements eliminated by the kidneys; herbs or supplements for cancer; herbs or supplements for the blood, heart, lungs, stomach or intestines; herbs or supplements for the brain, eyes, nervous system or skin; herbs or supplements for ulcers; herbs or supplements that alter immune function; herbs or supplements that promote urination; methylsulfonylmethane (MSM); muscle relaxants; oxymatrine; pain relievers; vitamin A.

• This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

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