About Herbs

Bottom Line: Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) may be used in a hospital setting by trained medical professionals to treat bladder inflammation. In addition, it is used in some facilities to reverse the harmful effects of chemotherapy extravasations (leaks that have become trapped in the surrounding tissue). DMSO may be effective in relieving certain aches and pains, though blinded trials are difficult to conduct because of significant side-effects of treatment. There is no evidence that DMSO has any effect in treating cancers in humans.

DMSO is a widely used chemical solvent that is prepared from a byproduct of paper manufacturing. DMSO is rapidly absorbed and has been shown to reduce pain and inflammation when applied to the skin. DMSO can trap free radicals. It can be used as an effective antidote for leaks of chemotherapy that become trapped inside the body. These chemotherapy extravasations may occur during normal cancer treatment. A strong garlic taste in the mouth following the application of DMSO is easily noticeable by both patient and caregiver. This is caused by a metabolite of DMSO making the blinding of clinical trials difficult.

Because of the significant side effect of DMSO administration few clinical trials have been performed due to the difficulty in blinding.

Commercially prepared from a byproduct of paper manufacturing. Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) is a widely used chemical solvent. DMSO is an approved prescription drug for the treatment of interstitial cystitis intravesically only. It is not approved for over-the-counter use in any form due to inadequate evidences of efficacy and potential toxicities. However, many people have tried the industrial form of DMSO topically to relieve pain. Small scale studies conducted in the early 1980's suggested DMSO may help to relieve peripheral neuropathy ⁽¹⁾, post-thoracotomy pain and other non-responsive pain ⁽²⁾. It has been used to treat chemotherapy extravasations ^{(3) (4)} and arthritis ⁽⁵⁾. DMSO has cardiovascular, anticoagulant, sedative, antibiotic and diuretic effects even after topical application. DMSO may slow down the progress of cancer cells; however, data is inconsistent ^{(2) (6)}. Topical application of DMSO leads to a strong garlic taste in the mouth ⁽⁷⁾.

DMSO is rapidly diluted on exposure to air. Upon topical application, DMSO rapidly penetrates the skin, however, unlike most penetrating solvents, it is not associated with irreversible membrane damage. DMSO can enhance effects and penetration of steroids, anesthetics, cardioactive and anticholinesterase agents. DMSO also has anticholinesterase activity which is thought to be the mechanism for its cardiovascular and vasoactive effects. DMSO traps free radical hydroxide. Analgesic and antiinflammatory effects may benefit patients with rheumatoid arthritis ⁽²⁾. DMSO's antioxidant properties are thought to be responsible for its efficacy against chemotherapy extravasations ⁽³⁾. A strong garlic taste in the mouth following DMSO administration comes from the exhaled dimethylsulfide (DMS) metabolite, which has made blinding of clinical trials difficult ⁽⁵⁾.

Absorption
After topical application, DMSO can be located in the blood within five minutes, all organs within 20 minutes and bones within an hour ⁽²⁾.

Metabolism/Excretion
Elimination half-time is about four days, however cutaneous application prolongs elimination by about one third. Excretion of DMSO is primarily via urine ⁽²⁾.

DMSO is an approved prescription drug for the treatment of interstitial cystitis intravesically only. It is not approved for over-the-counter use in any form due to inadequate evidences of efficacy and potential toxicities. The industrial form of DMSO may be contaminated with other chemicals.

Do not use if pregnant ⁽⁸⁾.

Reported (Topical): Garlic taste in mouth, dry skin, erythema and pruritis ⁽²⁾ urine discoloration, halitosis, agitation, hypotension, sedation dizziness ⁽⁹⁾. Changes in eye lens have been reported in animals following administration of DMSO ⁽⁸⁾.

Most of the clinical studies done on DMSO were published in the 1980s and early 1990s. There are only limited reliable data from clinical trials to verify the purported uses of DMSO.