Complementary/Alternative Medicine: This monograph describes a natural or herbal product that is not subject to FDA guidelines for medicines. Patients and clinicians are advised to read package labels carefully to ensure safe and efficacious use.

• Interstitial cystitis (intravesical instillation)

Unlabeled Uses:

• Amyloidosis.
• Topical: Prevention of extravasation injury from antineoplastic agents.

Contraindicated in:

• OB: Pregnancy and lactation.

Use Cautiously in:

• Diabetes
• Liver disease.

CNS: sedation, headache, dizziness.

Derm: pruritus, dry skin.

GI: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

GU: bladder discomfort.

Hemat: eosinophilia.
Misc: garlic-like breath/body odor.

Natural-Drug Products:

• May ↓ effectiveness of sulindac.

Natural-Natural Products:

• None known.

• Liquid: ^OTC;
• Cream: ^OTC;
• Gel: ^OTC;

• Topical (Adults): Interstitial cystitis — Instill 50 mL of aqueous 50% dimethyl sulfoxide solution into the bladder up to every 2 wk; Extravasation injury — 77–90% DMSO applied topically every 3–8 hrs.
• PO (Adults): Amyloidosis — 7–15 grams daily.

DMSO

• Stimulates bladder afferent pathways, causing release of nitrogen oxide from afferent neurons which controls lower urinary tract function. Also has anti-inflammatory, anti-ischemic analgesic, and vasodilatory properties.

• Improved symptoms of interstitial cystitis.
• Prevention of tissue necrosis from extravasation injuries.

Therapeutic Classification: n/a

Absorption: Easily penetrates the skin.

Distribution: Widely distributed in body fluids and tissues.

Metabolism/Excretion: Metabolized to dimethyl sulfone and dimethyl sulfide.

Half-life: Unknown.

• Instruct patient as to what to expect during therapy. Advise patient to notify health care professional if symptoms worsen or if changes in symptoms occur.

dye-METH-uhl sul-FOK-side