DIMETHYLSULFOXIDE (DMSO): Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews (2024)

FAQs

What is DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide used for? ›

Today, DMSO is used mostly for cryopreservation of stem cells, treatment of interstitial cystitis, and as a penetrating vehicle for various drugs. Many adverse reactions have been described in relation to the use of DMSO, but to our knowledge, no overview of the existing literature has been made.

Dimethyl sulfoxide may cause you to have a garlic-like taste within a few minutes after the medicine is put into the bladder. This effect may last for several hours. It may also cause your breath and skin to have a garlic-like odor, which may last up to 72 hours.

DMSO use has been associated with the following potential side effects: skin rash, erythema, itchiness, scaly skin, skin thickening, hives, blistering, skin pain, nausea, diarrhea, headache, garlic-like taste in mouth, garlic-like breath, garlic-like body odor, transient hemolysis, dizziness, sedation, kidney injury, ...

In aplysia ganglion cells, DMSO depresses the increase in membrane permeability induced by acetylcholine, glutamate, and GABA (Sawada & Sato, 1975). DMSO also suppresses NMDA and AMPA currents in hippocampal neurons and decreases NMDA receptors activation in these cells (Lu & Mattson, 2001).

DMSO2 appeared in blood within 2 hrs and reached a steady state concentration after 4 days of treatment. DMSO2 was cleared from blood about 120 hrs after DMSO administration was stopped. Its half-life in blood was calculated to be 38 hrs.

DMSO was placed in the safest category, class 3 solvents, with low toxic potential. Class 3 includes no solvent known as a human health hazard at levels normally accepted in pharmaceuticals.

You should also not use DMSO without talking to your doctor if you have: Diabetes. Asthma. Liver and kidney conditions.

Kidney problems: DMSO might harm the kidneys. Check with a healthcare provider before using DMSO if you have kidney problems.

Why is DMSO controversial? ›

It was even actively investigated for medical use, but because of adverse effects especially affecting the eyes, most clinical trials were halted in 1965 by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). At this point in time, DMSO was seen as extremely toxic, comparable to thalidomide^4,5.

In general, the use of DMSO, according to the results of the study, seems to promote nerve regeneration, nevertheless it was found that local use may be more beneficial than systemic.

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a chemical solvent that is sometimes used to help reduce inflammation and pain, and may also be beneficial in reducing leakage during chemotherapy treatment. It has been FDA approved to treat only one condition: interstitial cystitis.

By destroying an approximate amount ranging from fifty thousand (50,000) to five-hundred thousand (500,000) adipocytes (fat cells) per delivery of DMSO, fat cells (adipocytes) are effectively destroyed.

The penetration depth of DMSO was shown to depend on the time of exposure – however, after only 15 min DMSO has penetrated the stratum corneum, which is the skin barrier.

The FDA has approved DMSO as a prescription medication for treating symptoms of painful bladder syndrome. It's also used under medical supervision to treat several other conditions, including shingles. DMSO is easily absorbed by the skin.

Some non-prescription DMSO products might be industrial grade. These aren't intended for human use and can contain impurities that can cause health issues. DMSO is easily absorbed through the skin, so it can carry these impurities into the body. Side effects might include blistering and burning.

DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) is a liquid solution that treats pain and discomfort in your bladder caused by interstitial cystitis, also known as bladder pain syndrome. A healthcare provider will give you this solution as an injection into your bladder in a hospital or clinic setting.