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DMSO was the first NSAID discovered since aspirin.
Some believe it was that discovery that spurred pharmaceutical companies on to the development on other varieties of NSAIDs. Pharmaceutical companies were thinking that if DMSO can have anti-inflammatory activity, so can other compounds, which are patentable. It is ironic that DMSO is less toxic and has fewer side-effects than any of them.
Function; Reasons For Use
DMSO has been used most widely as a topical analgesic, in a 70% DMSO, 30% water solution. Laboratory studies suggest that DMSO cuts pain by blocking peripheral nerve C fibers. Several clinical trials have demonstrated its effectiveness, although in one trial no benefit was found. Relief is reported to be almost immediate, lasting up to 6 hours. When administration ceases, so do the analgesic effects of the compound.
DMSO also reduces inflammation by several mechanisms. It is an antioxidant - a scavenger of the free radicals that gather at the site of injury. DMSO also stabilizes membranes and slows or stops leakage from injured cells and is recommended for many inflammatory conditions not caused by infection or tumor.
Stephen Edelson, MD, FAAFP, FAAEM, who practices medicine at the Environmental and Preventive Health Center of Atlanta, has used DMSO extensively for 4 years. "We use it intravenously as well as locally", he says. "We use it for all sorts of inflammatory conditions, from people with rheumatoid arthritis to people with chronic low back inflammatory-type symptoms, silicon immune toxicity syndromes and any kind of autoimmune process."
Expected Outcome
Chronic pain patients often have to apply the substance for 6 weeks before a change occurs, but many report relief to a degree they had not been able to obtain from any other source.
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DMSO Topically can help with the following: | | | | | Autoimmune |  Scleroderma | In an older study, later confirmed by others, Arthur Scherbel, MD, of the Department of Rheumatic Diseases and Pathology at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, used DMSO on 42 scleroderma patients who had already exhausted all other possible therapies without relief. The investigators concluded that 26 of the 42 showed good or excellent improvement. Histotoxic changes were observed together with healing of ischemic ulcers on fingertips, relief from pain and stiffness, and an increase in strength. The investigators noted, "It should be emphasized that these have never been observed with any other mode of therapy." [Ann NY Acad Sci 141: pp.613-29, 1967] |
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Infections |
Athletes Foot| | This is a very effective fungicide for athlete's foot. Use twice daily at half strength or stronger. |
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Inflammation |
 Tendonitis| | DMSO has been used successfully to reduce inflammation and pain. |
Bursitis |
Metabolic |
 Tinnitus| | Patients suffering from tinnitus were given 2ml of a medicated DMSO solution every 4 days. The medication contained anti-inflammatory and vasodilatory compounds and was applied locally to the external ear canal. They were also given an intramuscular injection of DMSO at the same time. After one month, 9 of the 15 subjects had a complete cessation of the tinnitus which didn't return during the one year observation period. It diminished in two others and in the remaining four occurred occasionally instead of permanently. Cold temperatures seemed to be the main factor causing it to return. [Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 75:243:468: p.74] |
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Musculo-Skeletal |
Costochronditis| | DMSO applied to the area of pain may reduce both the pain and the inflammation of costochondritis. |
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Uro-Genital |
Interstitial Cystitis| | A common and useful treatment for interstitial cystitis is the instillation of DMSO into the bladder. This is a medical procedure, not one to be done at home. |
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KEY | | May do some good | | | Likely to help | | | Highly recommended |
GLOSSARY
Analgesic
Agent which relieves pain without causing loss of consciousness.
Anti-inflammatory (Antiinflammatory)
Reducing inflammation by acting on body mechanisms, without directly acting on the cause of inflammation, e.g., glucocorticoids, aspirin.
Antioxidant (Antioxidants)
A chemical compound that slows or prevents oxygen from reacting with other compounds. Some antioxidants have been shown to have cancer-protecting potential because they neutralize free radicals. Examples include vitamins C and E, beta carotene, the minerals selenium and germanium, superoxide dismutase (SOD), coenzyme Q10, catalase, and some amino acids.
Autoimmune Disease (Autoimmune, Autoimmunity)
One of a large group of diseases in which the immune system turns against the body's own cells, tissues and organs, leading to chronic and often deadly conditions. Examples include multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus, Bright's disease and diabetes.
Chronic (Chronicity)
Usually referring to chronic illness: Illness extending over a long period of time.
Free Radical (Free Radicals)
A free radical is an atom or group of atoms that has at least one unpaired electron. Because another element can easily pick up this free electron and cause a chemical reaction, these free radicals can effect dramatic and destructive changes in the body. Free radicals are activated in heated and rancid oils and by radiation in the atmosphere, among other things.
Interstitial Cystitis
A chronic bladder problem involving a bladder wall that is inflamed and irritated. Symptoms include an urgent need to urinate, both daytime and nighttime; pressure, pain and tenderness around the bladder, pelvis and perineum (the area between the anus and vagina or the anus and scrotum) which may increase as the bladder fills and decrease as it empties during urination; a bladder that won't hold as much urine as it did before; pain during sexual intercourse; in men, discomfort or pain in the penis or scrotum. In many women, the symptoms get worse before their menstrual period. Stress may also make the symptoms worse, but it does not cause them.
Ischemia (Ischemic)
Localized tissue anemia due to obstruction of the inflow of arterial blood. A decrease in the blood supply to a bodily organ, tissue, or part caused by constriction or obstruction of the blood vessels.
Milliliter (mL)
0.001 or one thousandth of a liter.
NSAID (NSAIDs)
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Pathology (Pathologist)
Disease, particularly one with clear and obvious changes in structure or function; the study of same.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
A long-term, destructive connective tissue disease that results from the body rejecting its own tissue cells (autoimmune reaction).
Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis)
An autoimmune disease of the connective tissue, characterized by the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis) in the skin and organs of the body. This leads to thickness and firmness of involved areas.
Silicon
A non-essential mineral. Tissues such as arteries, tendons, skin, connective tissue, cornea and sclera (white of the eye) contain relatively large amounts of silicon. Collagen, the protein glue that holds us together, contains silicon in silanolate form. While vitamin C functions only as a catalyst in the formation of collagen, silicon is actually a structural part of collagen. Silicon containing substances are found in all cartilage and in the material binding cells together. Silicon may be needed for proper bone structure and growth.
Tineas (Athletes Foot, Athlete's Foot, Pityriasis Versicolor, Ringworm, Tinea Pedis, Tinea Versicolor)
A dermatomycosis; any number of skin fungus infections, such as ringworm, athlete's foot (Tinea pedis), and so forth. It is generally slow to acquire and hard to get rid of. Tinea Versicolor is a chronic skin fungus, often without symptoms... except the light skin splotches of infected surfaces that don't tan. It seems easily transmitted from one part of the body to another or one person to another. It is also called Pityriasis Versicolor.
Tinnitus (Tinnitis)
A sensation of noise (ringing or roaring) that is caused by a bodily condition and can usually only be heard by the person affected.
Topical
Most commonly 'topical application': Administration to the skin.
Ulcer (Ulceration, Ulcers)
Lesion on the skin or mucous membrane.
Last updated: Apr 13, 2008
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