General
Pronunciation
dye-METH-uhl sul-FOK-side
Trade Name(s)
• DMSO
Ther. class.none assigned
Action
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.
Therapeutic Effect(s):
• Improved symptoms of interstitial cystitis.
• Prevention of tissue necrosis from extravasation injuries.
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption: Easily penetrates the skin.
Distribution: Widely distributed in body fluids and tissues.
Metabolism and Excretion: Metabolized to dimethyl sulfone and dimethyl sulfide.
Half-life: Unknown.
TIME/ACTION PROFILE
| ROUTE | ONSET | PEAK | DURATION |
| PO, Topical, Intravesicular | unknown | 4 hr | unknown |
Contraindication/Precautions
Contraindicated in:
OB: Pregnancy and lactation.
Use Cautiously in:
• Diabetes;
• Liver disease.
Adverse Reactions/Side Effects
CNS: sedation, headache, dizziness.
Derm: pruritus, dry skin.
GI: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
GU: bladder discomfort.
Hemat: eosinophilia.
Misc: garlic-like breath/body odor.
*CAPITALS indicates life-threatening.
*italic indicates most frequent.
Interactions
Natural Products-Drug
May ↓ effectiveness of sulindac .
Natural Products-Natural Products
None known.
Route/Dosage
• 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..
Availability
• Liquid:OTC
• Cream:OTC
• Gel:OTC
Assessment
• Assess for symptoms of interstitial cystitis (suprapubic pain, urinary frequency, nocturia hematuria) prior to and periodically during therapy.
Potential Nursing Diagnoses
• Chronic pain
Implementation
Intravesical: Instill 50 mL of 50% solution into the bladder. Instruct patient to retain solution of 15–60 min.
Patient/Family Teaching
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.
Evaluation/Desired Outcomes
Decrease in symptoms of interstitial cystitis.
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