Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a commercial solvent that has been in use since 1953. Dr. Stanley W. Jacob of the University of Oregon Medical School introduced DMSO to the medical community in 1963 while he was investigating its use as a preservative for organs. DMSO is approved for drug use in humans in more than 125 countries around the world. In the United States, however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved DMSO for human use only for the treatment of interstitial cystitis (bladder inflammation) and as a preservative for organs for transplant.
Interstitial Cystitis
DMSO is a commonly prescribed intravesical treatment for interstitial cystitis (inflamed bladder). According to a 2001 report in the journal "American Family Physician," intravesical treatment involves administering the DMSO directly into the bladder through a catheter. Treatment intervals are 1 to 2 weeks, and four to eight treatments are required. At the end of this regimen, some patients are free of symptoms. In other patients, symptoms return and the doctor must administer DMSO every 4 to 6 weeks. It is not necessary to anesthetize the patient for this therapy, and it takes place in the doctor's office.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease characterized by damage to the articular cartilage, the smooth white tissue that covers the ends of bones that come together at a joint. In a study published in 2008 in "Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy," DMSO is described as a component in the topical treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. The solution used for treatment contains the prescription NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) diclofenac sodium as an active ingredient mixed with DMSO, which acts as a transport agent promoting efficient passage of diclofenac sodium through the skin. Cutaneous diclofenac solution applied to the skin over the knee relieved the symptoms of osteoarthritis just as well as oral diclofenac, which can cause gastrointestinal disturbances and other systemic problems.
Joint Pain in Horses
In 1970, the FDA approved DMSO as a treatment for dogs and horses. DMSO quickly penetrates the skin of the animal. Veterinarians use DMSO alone or in combination with another drug by rubbing it directly onto the skin of the animal. This treatment is effective for the relief of joint pain and inflammation in horses, and has low toxicity.
References
- Article: Current Status of Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)
- American Academy of Family Physicians: Interstitial Cystitis: Urgency and Frequency Syndrome
- "Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy;" An Alternative Topical Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee with Cutaneous Diclofenac Solution; Işik --zgüney; July 2008
