DMSO: Uses and Risks

Written by Joseph Saling

• Why Do People Use DMSO?
• What Are the Risks of Using DMSO?

DMSO, or dimethyl sulfoxide, is a by-product of paper making. It comes from a substance found in wood.

DMSO has been used as an industrial solvent since the mid-1800s. From about the mid-20th century, researchers have explored its use as an anti-inflammatory agent.

The FDA has approved DMSO as a prescription medication for treating symptoms of painful bladder syndrome. It’s also used under medical supervision to treat several other conditions, including shingles.

DMSO is easily absorbed by the skin. It’s sometimes used to increase the body’s absorption of other medications.

DMSO is available without a prescription most often in gel or cream form. It can be purchased in health food stores, by mail order, and on the Internet.

While it can sometimes be found as an oral supplement, its safety is unclear. DMSO is primarily used by applying it to the skin.

DMSO has been used to try to relieve the pain of osteoarthritis. It has also been promoted as an “alternative” cancer treatment.

People have used it to try to treat wounds, burns, and other injuries. People have also used it to try to treat such conditions as:

• Headache
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Eye problems
• Scars
• Scleroderma (disease that causes scar tissue to form in the skin)

Other than its use as a prescription medicine, there is little or no scientific evidence to support other claims made about DMSO’s effectiveness.

The American Cancer Society says there is no evidence to support the use of DMSO to treat cancer. Using it that way could cause serious delays in getting proper and effective treatment.

A recent analysis of studies on the use of DMSO to relieve osteoarthritis pain found that it was not significantly more effective than placebo in relieving joint pain.

There are no studies that provide guidelines for determining the proper dose of DMSO. The gel used to treat osteoarthritis typically has a concentration of 25%. It is applied three or four times a day. But DMSO sold without a prescription can range from 10% concentration to 90%.

Some DMSO on the market may actually be industrial grade. Industrial grade DMSO may contain a number of impurities that can easily be absorbed into the skin with potentially serious health effects.

The most frequent side effects from using DMSO on the skin include:

• Stomach upset
• Skin irritation
• Strong odor of garlic

More serious side effects include:

• Severe allergic reactions
• Headaches
• Itching and burning when applied to the skin

DMSO can also cause a deadly reaction when used in high concentrations.

Using DMSO by mouth can cause:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Decreased appetite

DMSO can increase the effect of some medicines, which can lead to serious health issues. Examples of such medicines include:

• Blood thinners
• Steroids
• Sedatives

The biggest concern of DMSO as a solvent is that when it gets on the skin it will cause anything on the skin to be absorbed. So be sure to wash your hands and skin well before using.

Pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding should not use DMSO, since little is known about its possible effects on the fetus or infant.

You should also not use DMSO without talking to your doctor if you have:

• Diabetes
• Asthma
• Liver and kidney conditions

Always keep in mind that supplements are not regulated by the FDA the same was as drugs are. The manufacturer does not have to prove that a supplement is safe or effective before selling.

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Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) is a chemical that dissolves many organic and inorganic substances. It’s available as a prescription drug and dietary supplement.

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

People use DMSO for bladderinflammation (interstitial cystitis), limb pain that usually occurs after an injury, and leakage of an IV drug from the vein into surrounding skin and tissue. It is also used for osteoarthritis, bed sores, stomach ulcers, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these other uses.

Don’t confuse DMSO with Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM). These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Effective for

• Painful bladder syndrome (interstitial cystitis). DMSO is an FDA-approved product for the treatment of this condition. Washing the bladder with DMSO improves some symptoms, such as pain.

Possibly Effective for

• Limb pain that usually occurs after an injury (complex regional pain syndrome). Applying DMSO cream to the skin seems to improve pain in people with this condition.
• Leakage of intravenous (IV) drug from the vein into surrounding skin and tissue (extravasation). Some chemotherapy drugs can cause skin and tissue damage if they leak from the vein. Applying DMSO to the skin might prevent further damage if this happens.

Possibly Ineffective for

• Hardening of skin and connective tissue (scleroderma). Applying DMSO to the skin doesn’t help treat symptoms of scleroderma.

There is interest in using DMSO for a number of other purposes, but there isn’t enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if DMSO is safe or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the skin: Non-prescription DMSO is possibly unsafe. Some non-prescription DMSO products might be industrial grade. These aren’t intended for human use and can contain impurities that can cause health issues. DMSO is easily absorbed through the skin, so it can carry these impurities into the body. Side effects might include blistering and burning.

When applied inside the bladder: Prescription DMSO is likely safe. Don’t use DMSO products that are not prescribed by a healthcare professional.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if DMSO is safe or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the skin: Non-prescription DMSO is possibly unsafe. Some non-prescription DMSO products might be industrial grade. These aren’t intended for human use and can contain impurities that can cause health issues. DMSO is easily absorbed through the skin, so it can carry these impurities into the body. Side effects might include blistering and burning.

When applied inside the bladder: Prescription DMSO is likely safe. Don’t use DMSO products that are not prescribed by a healthcare professional.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn’t enough reliable information to know if DMSO is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Certain blood disorders. Injecting DMSO by IV might cause red blood cells to break down. This might be a problem for people with certain blood disorders. DMSO might make these conditions worse.

Kidney problems: DMSO might harm the kidneys. Check with a healthcare provider before using DMSO if you have kidney problems.

Liver problems: DMSO might harm the liver. Check with a healthcare provider before using DMSO if you have liver problems.br/>

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

• DMSO can sometimes increase how much medicine the body absorbs. Applying DMSO to the skin, eyes, or ears at the same time as applying medication can increase how much medicine the body absorbs. This might increase the effects and side effects of the medicine.

• DMSO might slow blood clotting. Taking DMSO along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

• Using DMSO with sulindac might reduce how well sulindac works to treat pain. There is also a concern that using DMSO with sulindac can increase the risk for nerve pain.

• DMSO can increase a chemical in the body called acetylcholine. Some medications that are used for glaucoma, Alzheimer disease, and other conditions, also increase acetylcholine levels. Taking DMSO with these medications might increase the chance of side effects.

• Using DMSO with verteporfin might reduce how well verteporfin works.

• Using DMSO to dissolve platinum agents onto the skin might reduce how well these drugs work to treat cancer. Examples of platinum agents include carboplatin, cisplatin, and oxaliplatin.

Dosing

DMSO has most often been applied to the skin by adults in various forms, including creams, gels, and solutions. It is also applied inside the bladder. DMSO is available as a prescription and in dietary supplements. Speak with a healthcare provider before use.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Properties, features, scope

CAS number: 67-68-5

Chemical name and synonyms: Dimethyl sulfoxide, Methyl sulfoxide, Dimethyl (oxide) sulfur, DMSO, Dimethyl sulfoxide, DMSO, Methyl sulfoxide.

Physical and chemical properties:

Appearance: colorless transparent oily liquid

Molecular weight, g/mol: 78.13
Density g/cm³: 1.1±0.1
Melting point, °C: 18.4
Flash point, °C: 87
Boiling point, °C: 189
Decomposition temperature, °C: 150
Vapor density: 2.7 (against air)
Vapor pressure, mm Hg Art. : 0.8±0.3 at 25°C

Description:

The substance was discovered by the Russian chemist Alexander Zaitsev in 1866 during the oxidation of dimethyl sulfide with nitric acid. However, for almost a century, DMSO was practically not used, properties and methods of application were not studied. Recorded use in Russian hospitals during the First World War in the treatment of wounds, fractures and injuries.

In 1958, its properties as an almost ideal solvent became known, which caused a sharp increase in research on DMSO. It has become widely used in medicine, biology, cosmetology, military affairs and many other industries. It easily and quickly (within a few seconds) penetrates through intact skin, transferring the active substances of medicinal or cosmetic products dissolved in it into the interior.
Dimethyl sulfoxide is highly soluble in water, miscible with acetone, gasoline, benzene, toluene, acetic acid, dimethylformamide, ethyl alcohol.
Known as a drug called Dimexide.

Recommended storage temperature: 15 – 25 °C.

Application:

– As a cryoconservator
DMSO has the unique ability to dramatically lower the freezing point of water while maintaining the viability of most types of tissues and cells. It is integrated into the cell medium in order to minimize cell damage during freezing. 10% DMSO solution is used for safe cooling of cells and for their preservation at liquid nitrogen temperature. DMSO has become widely used in cryopreservation media for stem cells derived from human cord blood and reproductive tissue.

– As a solvent
Since DMSO is capable of dissolving a large amount of polymers, it is used in the casting of polymer films and fibers used in the production of cleaning membranes. With the help of DMSO, polyurethane and polyester residues from the manufacture of parts are cleaned.

Dimethyl sulfoxide is used as a solvent in chemical reactions involving inorganic salts, in particular in nucleophilic substitution reactions. Since DMSO has weak acidic properties, it is used as a solvent in the chemistry of carboanions.

Due to its high boiling point, DMSO evaporates very slowly at normal atmospheric pressure. Therefore, it is good to use it as a solvent for carrying out reactions when heated.

DMSO as a paint stain remover is safer and more effective than gasoline or dichloromethane. Along with nitromethane, DMSO is able to remove “super glue” (hardened, but still fresh) and uncured polyurethane foam.

Able to dissolve sludge, carbon deposits, varnishes formed during the decomposition of engine oil inside internal combustion engines. Why DMSO is added to the oil and directly into the combustion chamber. The flushing is so effective that it is possible to completely free the stuck piston rings and clean the oil drain holes in the pistons. But at the same time, the paint and varnish coatings of engine parts can also dissolve, with subsequent ingress of coating flakes into the oil lines.

– Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
On average, in 7 seconds it is able to penetrate the skin barrier, carrying along with it the dissolved active substances of cosmetics or medicines. Due to such a sharp increase in the rate of penetration through the skin into the body, DMSO enhances the effect of creams, ointments and solutions.

– Medical
Used for inflammatory diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory action is based on the mechanism of inactivation of hydroxyl radicals and improvement of metabolic processes in the focus of inflammation, inhibition of the conduction of nociceptive impulses in peripheral neurons, as well as antagonism against the vascular effects of histamine, bradykinin and prostaglandin E1.

The drug has a moderate antiseptic and fibrinolytic effect.

– Crop production
DMSO also increases the permeability of the cell barrier in plants. Therefore, the substance is used in the manufacture of solutions for feeding and protecting plants. In addition, DMSO acts as a natural source of organic sulfur for plants. DMSO is not toxic to plants and does not accumulate in their tissues.
The use of mixtures with dimethyl sulfoxide can increase the frost and drought resistance of plants up to 30%.

– Leather industry
DMSO significantly increases the permeability of water through the leather tissue. The rate of water penetration through the stratum corneum when using dimethyl sulfoxide in solution increases 125 times. The use of DMSO in the tanning process improves the quality of the tanned leather, reduces the tanning time and reduces the concentration of chromium oxide in the spent tanning solution. Leathers tanned with chrome tanning using DMSO have higher physical, mechanical and hygienic characteristics.

– Biology
Used in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to inhibit the pairing of parent DNA molecules. It is added to the PCR mixture before starting the reaction. The substance affects the complementary sections of DNA, preventing their pairing and reducing the number of side processes.

– Military
Enhances the damaging effect of chemical weapons. One drop of VX toxin mixed with DMSO (i.e., a lower dose) causes the death of a test animal twice as fast as a drop of a pure poisonous substance. Adding a 10% DMSO solution to mustard gas doubles the depth of mustard skin lesions.

Receiving:

On an industrial scale, DMSO is supplied by paper companies, where this reagent is obtained as a by-product in the sulfate method of wood delignization. Dimethyl sulfoxide is obtained industrially from dimethyl sulfide by oxidation with oxygen, nitric acid or nitrogen dioxide.

Action on the body:

Non-irritant to eyes and skin, skin allergen. But since DMSO is a substance that easily penetrates the protective skin barrier, while passing through it the components dissolved in it, it is the components of solutions in which DMSO is used as a solvent that are dangerous.

Therefore, when working with DMSO as a solvent, it is necessary to protect the skin with chemical protection gloves. Ordinary household gloves do not protect against the penetration of dimethyl sulfoxide. It is recommended to use gloves made of butyl rubber, fluoroelastomer, neoprene with a material thickness of more than 0.3 mm, or latex with a material thickness of more than 0.4 mm.

When using DMSO for medical purposes, its dilution is used – from 10 to 70 percent, since in its pure form, contact of DMSO with the skin can lead to skin irritation. Dimethyl sulfoxide has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, and is harmful to many bacteria.

DMSO enhances the effects of blood thinners, steroids, heart drugs, sedatives and other drugs. In some cases, this can be harmful or dangerous.

Toxicological data:

Not an acute toxin, but frequent and prolonged skin contact may cause skin irritation. Other side effects: headache, nausea, liver and kidney damage.

May cause fire or explosion if mixed with chlorates, nitrates, sodium, potassium, perchlorates, permanganates, nitric acid, phosphorus oxides, acid chlorides. Emits irritating or toxic fumes when burned.

Keep away from food, drink and animal feed. Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Provide good ventilation. Do not breathe vapour/aerosol. Wash hands before breaks and at the end of work.

Dimexide: instruction, price, analogues | Compendium – drug guide

Dimexide (dimethyl sulfoxide; DMSO; C2H6OS) is a small amphipathic organic molecule with a hydrophilic sulfoxide group and two hydrophobic methyl groups. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is an unusual chemical derived from lignin, synthesized over 150 years ago. It is a highly polar, stable, hygroscopic organic liquid with exceptional solvent properties. Miscible with water, lipoids and organic solvents, it can lead to the formation of an unusually wide variety of inorganic and organic chemicals. Its industrial uses are many and varied: (1) as a solvent for resins, fungicides, dyes, pigments, etc.; (2) as a reagent for chemical synthesis; (3) as an extractant; and (4) as a reaction medium for accelerating the rate of a chemical reaction. Dimethyl sulfoxide is a clear liquid, practically odorless. Flash point in closed cup 192°F. Vapors are heavier than air. Some describe it as having an “oyster” flavor, others claim it tastes like garlic. Skin contact may cause burning and garlic odor on breath. It is an excellent solvent that can transport solutions through the skin. High vapor concentrations of this compound can cause headache, dizziness, and sedation. Its medical use was first promoted by Stanley Jacob who reported in 1964 that DMSO readily penetrates the skin and transports small molecules across biological membranes.

So, today, Dimexide (DMSO) is a highly polar substance with exceptional solvent properties for both organic and inorganic chemicals and is widely used as an industrial solvent. DMSO has been reported to have a wide range of pharmacological activities, including membrane penetration, anti-inflammatory effects, local analgesia, mild bacteriostasis, diuresis, vasodilation, collagen dissolution, and free radical scavenging. The main use of dimethyl sulfoxide is as a carrier for drugs such as idoxuridine; promotes the penetration of the drug into the skin and, therefore, may enhance its effect. Clinical utility in surgery has been demonstrated in the treatment of acute trauma, postoperative pain in the area of ​​postoperative scars, certain urological disorders such as Peyronie’s disease; early Dupuytren’s contracture, keloids and subcutaneous fibrosis associated with cobalt exposure. DMSO effectively transports local anesthetics into the deeper layers of the skin and the eardrum, allowing pain-free incisions (The American Journal of Surgery). It is also used as a 50% aqueous solution for bladder instillation to relieve symptoms of interstitial cystitis; instill 50 ml and leave for 15 minutes. Treatment is repeated every 2 weeks. DMSO has been administered orally, intravenously, or topically for a wide range of indications, including skin and musculoskeletal disorders, but evidence of beneficial effects is limited. Dimethyl sulfoxide is used as a cryoprotectant for various human tissues. An essential pharmacological action of DMSO is its ability to scavenge oxygen-free radicals associated with tissue damage caused by xenobiotics when administered before, during, or several hours after tissue damage.

Dimexide is easily absorbed by all routes. Metabolized by oxidation to dimethyl sulfone and reduction to dimethyl sulfide. Dimexide and the sulfite metabolite are excreted in the urine and feces. Dimethyl sulfide is excreted through the lungs and skin and is responsible for the characteristic odor in patients. The maximum concentration in the blood is reached within 4-6 hours and remains at this level for 1.5-3 days. When used as a penetrating base for other topically applied drugs, dimexide can enhance their toxic effect. Hepatic and renal function should also be assessed at 6-month intervals. Bladder instillation may be detrimental to patients with urinary tract malignancies due to vasodilation. High concentrations of DMSO applied to the skin can cause burning discomfort, itching, erythema, vesiculation, and urticaria. Continued use may cause the problem to scale. Systemic effects including gastrointestinal disturbances, drowsiness, headache and hypersensitivity reactions may occur after use by any route. The garlic-like breath and skin odor is attributed to the use of DMSO (drugster.org, published October 26, 2018).

DMSO was first obtained by oxidation of dimethyl sulfide in 1866 by A. Zaitsev (student of A. Butlerov). A series of experiments were then started at the University of Oregon (to provide evidence that DMSO was an active permeant and an excellent transporter of other substances through the skin or tissue membranes). As a solvent, DMSO is superior even to water and is sometimes referred to as a “super solvent”. Chemical Characteristics – Dimexide is chemically classified as a dipolar aprotic hygroscopic solvent. Protic solvents such as water, methanol and formamide are hydrogen donors. Dipolar aprotic solvents, although possessing hydrogen atoms, are unable to donate labile hydrogen atoms and form strong hydrogen bonds with some other substances.

Although toxicity was reported in clinical studies of DMSO in the 1960s, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) later classified DMSO as the safest solvent. DMSO has become widely used in many biomedical fields and the biological effects have been overlooked. Meanwhile, biomedical science has evolved towards sensitive, high-throughput methods and new areas of research, including epigenomics and miRNAs. Given its widespread use, especially for cryopreservation and in vitro assays, we evaluated the biological effect of DMSO using these technological innovations.

Adverse reactions to DMSO are common but usually minor and are related to the concentration of DMSO in the drug solution. Therefore, the most common side effects, such as skin rash and itching after skin application, intravascular hemolysis after intravenous infusion, and gastrointestinal discomfort after oral administration, can largely be avoided by using more dilute solutions (Swanson B.N.).

Although typically used at relatively low concentrations, DMSO still has medically beneficial properties such as induction of an anti-inflammatory process, nerve block (analgesia), diuretics, vasodilation, and muscle relaxation. In addition, in cell biology, DMSO is also used as an inducer of cell differentiation, a free radical scavenger and a radioprotective agent, but most often for cryopreservation. Cell cultures for research are often stored in liquid nitrogen using a slow cooling methodology.

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), cell culture reagent, ideal for cryopreservation. In cryobiology, DMSO has been used as a cryoprotectant and is still an important constituent of cryoprotectant vitrification mixtures used to preserve organs, tissues and cell suspensions. This is especially important for freezing and long-term storage of fetal and hematopoietic stem cells, which are often frozen in a mixture of 10% DMSO and 90% fetal calf serum (prevents the formation of ice crystals and thus reduces cell death). As part of an autologous bone marrow transplant, DMSO is re-administered along with the patient’s own hematopoietic stem cell. Dimexide is a polar aprotic organic solvent widely used in chemical and biological research. DMSO can uniquely provide solubility for some very polar small molecules such as simple biomolecules with few proton functional groups. It can also be used as an oxidizing agent in certain transformations. The yield of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) processes is enhanced by using DMSO as a co-solvent, helping to inhibit the formation of secondary structures from DNA fragments.

Each application of Dimexide appears to provide rapid temporary pain relief in patients with arthritis and connective tissue damage. However, an anti-inflammatory effect or accelerated healing is currently unjustified. There is no evidence that DMSO can alter the progression of degenerative joint disease, and for this reason, DMSO can only be considered for palliative care (relieving the symptoms of the disease) and not for avoiding standard anti-inflammatory agents. Dimexide is currently widely used in research in inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, clinical trials are underway to study it, although it is difficult to draw any conclusions from them, since the garlic odor generated by the DMSO metabolite, DMS, is negative affects the reliability of a double-blind study.

Animal models of rheumatoid arthritis have shown conflicting results with DMSO to date. Since DMSO is known to impair cell permeability and cause cell death at high concentrations, a study was conducted that examined the relationship of anti-inflammatory properties with its effect on cell viability. The results show that DMSO up to a final concentration of 1% induces little cytotoxicity for monocytes, but there is a significant decrease in monocytes by 2%, slight hemolysis by 5%, and a sharp decrease in PBMCs (from English peripheral blood mononuclear cells) by 10%. Thus, DMSO has only a narrow therapeutic window and it is possible that the decrease in cytokines/chemokines at 2% DMSO is associated with lower monocyte viability. However, the effects of DMSO at concentrations of 0.5% and below are probably independent of cytotoxicity. DMSO is an anti-inflammatory agent that has been shown to be effective in human whole blood. This is due to a decrease in the production of inflammatory mediators. The study concluded that the use of DMSO as an anti-inflammatory agent in conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis may have some benefits (Ingrid Elisia et al., 2016).

Data on the analgesic effects of Dimexide itself is mixed. However, when DMSO is used as a carrier for other analgesics, it increases the effectiveness of these agents (lidocaine in one study, diclofenac in another) and reduces symptoms. Pain relief with immediate application is reported almost immediately and lasts up to 6 hours. This has made DMSO ideal for the management of acute pain in athletes requiring immediate relief. To reduce chronic pain, patients may need to use DMSO for up to 6 weeks before any therapeutic effect is noticeable.

DMSO enhances the diffusion of other chemicals through the skin and for this reason a mixture of idoxuridine and DMSO is used for topical treatment of herpes zoster in the UK. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is currently used as an alternative treatment for various inflammatory conditions as well as cancer. Dimexide was first used for the treatment of acute soft tissue diseases such as bursitis and tendonitis. However, despite extensive rave evidence of efficacy, two controlled studies have yielded conflicting results (Trice J.M., Pinals R.S., 1985). However, at present Dimexide is indispensable for biotechnological applications. In these cases, one should take into account the effects that DMSO can have and keep the concentration as low as possible, since even at low concentrations DMSO is not inert (Verheijen M., Schrooders Y. et al., 2019). It should be borne in mind that, in addition to facilitating the absorption of other drugs, DMSO can also enhance their effect. Therefore, drug interactions should always be assessed prior to use, especially given the fact that in some cases drug levels can reach the toxic limit and increase the risk to patients’ lives. Reactions such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rash, skin redness, and in rare cases bronchospasm are known (Zenhausern et al., 2000; Crivellenti et al., 2013).

However, even now Dimexide continues to be the subject of controversy, controversy and reports of various kinds in the media. For the most part, clinical studies with DMSO do not meet the most standard requirements for conducting controlled studies in rheumatic diseases.