Fact Sheet - on the use of DMSO

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http://www.forces.gc.ca/health/services/health_promotion/Engraph/factsheet_dmso_\

e.asp

 

What is DMSO? DMSO or dimethyl sulfoxide is a colorless slightly oily

fluid that is derived from trees as a by-product of the production of

paper. Its crystalline derivative, MSM (methyl sulfonyl methane)

shares almost the same properties, as DMSO except it does not produce

the garlic-like breath and body odor so commonly seen with DMSO use.

MSM is also known as dimethyl sulfone, crystalline DMSO, DMSO2 or

Vibrant Life.

 

What is DMSO used for? DMSO is primarily used as an industrial solvent

for things such as paint thinners. It is definitely not an essential

nutrient and is not required for the functioning of a healthy body.

Health Canada has approved the use of DMSO only for the symptomatic

relief of chronic genitourinary problems such as cystitis,

interstitial cystitis, radiation cystitis, trigonitis and prostatitis.

DMSO is also approved for use as a preservative for bone marrow and

stem cells that are being held for future transplantation. Despite a

lack of supporting scientific evidence, the list of unapproved uses

for DMSO has grown to include such things as: osteoarthritis,

tendonitis, bursitis, synovitis, mental illnesses, Down's Syndrome,

emphysema, cancer, scleroderma, Raynaud's phenomenon, rheumatoid

arthritis, Alzheimer's disease, peripheral neuropathies, spinal cord

injuries, brain trauma, strains, sprains, bruises, burns, wounds, etc.

In highly active populations such as athletes and military personnel,

DMSO is especially popular as a treatment for musculoskeletal

injuries. While DMSO may help to reduce the pain associated with some

musculoskeletal injuries, it has not been shown to be of any

anti-inflammatory benefit. Unfortunately rather than resting or

seeking medical treatment for these injuries, people using DMSO are

often able to mask their discomfort and so continue training causing

even greater damage to their bodies.

 

What evidence is there that DMSO works? There is very little

scientifically valid research to show that DMSO is helpful for any

medical condition including its approved medical uses. The United

States Food and Drug Administration conducted testing on DMSO in the

early 1960's and stopped after discovering that the use of this

product was causing serious eye problems in their test animals. Since

then well-controlled clinical trials have not been conducted on this

product to determine if there are potential side effects from its long

term use or if there are potentially harmful drug interactions. A

double blind placebo controlled study conducted in Germany and

published in 1995, did show that 25% DMSO gel applied topically to

arthritic joints did reduce pain during both rest and activity.

However, it should be carefully noted that these results could not be

reproduced in the United States.

 

How is it supposed to work? It is important to note that DMSO won't

cure any medical condition. At the very best DMSO may help reduce the

symptoms produced by a medical condition. In inflammatory conditions

such as arthritis, DMSO is thought to work as a counter irritant that

temporarily reduces the patient's perception of pain. Its exact

mechanism of action remains poorly understood.

 

What side effects have been reported with DMSO use? 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, light sensitivity, color vision

disturbance, corneal opacities in animals and birth defects in

animals. This list does not include the potentially life threatening

side effects that could occur from using industrial grade DMSO that is

contaminated with toxic substances such as pesticides. Since DMSO has

not been subjected to long-term clinical evaluation, we are uncertain

what the potential consequences are from its long-term use.

 

How can DMSO be taken? DMSO can be taken orally, topically,

intravenously, intramuscularly and intervesically(injected into the

bladder).

 

What are the major concerns with DMSO use? There are a number of

significant concerns with regard to DMSO use:

 

1. DMSO has not undergone the rigorous clinical testing that is

required to establish if and how it may be safely used; if there are

any health consequences from its prolonged use and how it interacts

with other medications. We also do not know how it may affect

children, the elderly, people with specific medical problems and woman

who are pregnant or breast feeding. Without this basic research, it is

uncertain if DMSO's potential benefits out weight the potential harm

it may cause.

 

2. DMSO is an excellent solvent and as such is very rapidly absorbed

across the skin. As a solvent it is also able to dissolve a wide

spectrum of compounds and carry them across the skin and deposit them

into the body. This would include such things as the insect repellent

you apply to your skin. This can have potentially serious consequences

if the dissolved compounds happened to be highly toxic substances such

a pesticides.

 

3. DMSO is made in three different grades - industrial, veterinary and

medical. Medical grade DMSO is the highest quality and should be free

of all contaminants. Industrial grade DMSO is not intended for human

use and may contain many contaminants - some of which could cause

serious side effects in people. The companies that produce industrial

grade DMSO often use the same equipment to produce toxic substances

such as pesticides and so contamination is inevitable. Unfortunately,

much of the DMSO sold on the black market is industrial grade and

could cause serious short and long-term problems in its users.

 

4. Manufacturers can use the solvent properties of DMSO to carry other

medications across your skin. Some of these substances include such

things as anti-inflammatories and corticosteroids. Some manufacturers

may not list these substances on the DMSO container hoping that the

therapeutic effect they create will be attributed exclusively to the

DMSO and so boost product sales. People who are allergic to these

" Hidden " substances could experience serious reactions.

 

The bottom line! DMSO is a product that has not undergone the rigorous

scientific testing required to ensure that it actually works for

certain medical conditions and that it is safe for short and long-term

use by patients. In Canada, DMSO is currently only approved for a few

very select chronic genitourinary conditions and is only available

through prescription. Individuals who obtain DMSO from sources other

than their pharmacy cannot be certain of the quality of the product

they are using and it may contain additional medications or

contaminants that could cause serious side effects. Despite the above,

many Canadians continue to place themselves at potential risk by using

DMSO for a wide variety of medical conditions, even though there is

little or no scientific evidence that DMSO is effective in treating

these conditions.

 

D. Menard MD Dip Sport Med

Sport Medicine Consultant

DCOS Force Health Protection