Dimethyl Sulfoxide is a prescription medicine and dietary supplement. It can be taken by mouth, applied to the skin (used topically), or injected into the veins (used intravenously or by IV).

Dimethyl Sulfoxide is taken by mouth, used topically, or given intravenously for the management of amyloidosis and related symptoms. Amyloidosis is a condition in which certain proteins are deposited abnormally in organs and tissues.

Dimethyl Sulfoxide is used topically to decrease pain and speed the healing of wounds, burns, and muscle and skeletal injuries. Dimethyl Sulfoxide is also used topically to treat painful conditions such as headache, inflammation, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and severe facial pain called tic douloureux. It is used topically for eye conditions including cataracts, glaucoma, and problems with the retina; for foot conditions including bunions, calluses, and fungus on toenails; and for skin conditions including keloid scars and scleroderma. It is sometimes used topically to treat skin and tissue damage caused by chemotherapy when it leaks from the IV that is used to deliver it. Dimethyl Sulfoxide is used either alone or in combination with a drug called idoxuridine to treat pain associated with shingles (herpes zoster infection).

Intravenously, Dimethyl Sulfoxide is used to lower abnormally high blood pressure in the brain. It is also given intravenously to treat bladder infections (interstitial cystitis) and chronic inflammatory bladder disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved certain Dimethyl Sulfoxide products for placement inside the bladder to treat symptoms of chronic inflammatory bladder disease. Dimethyl Sulfoxide is sometimes placed inside bile ducts with other medications to treat bile duct stones.

In manufacturing, Dimethyl Sulfoxide is used as an industrial solvent for herbicides, fungicides, antibiotics, and plant hormones.

How does it work?

Dimethyl Sulfoxide helps medicines get through the skin and can affect proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and water in the body.