DMSO liquid, also known as dimethyl sulfoxide, is a solvent that passes easily through skin. It has been studied for medical uses since the 1960s, but its only FDA-approved human use is a prescription bladder treatment.

In this guide, we’ll explain how DMSO liquid is used, what the evidence says about pain relief, back pain, herpes, and weight loss, and the safety precautions to know. Whether you’ve just heard about DMSO or already use it, this guide will help you understand the risks of using DMSO liquid before you try it.

What is DMSO Liquid?

DMSO liquid, also known as dimethyl sulfoxide, is produced mainly as a byproduct of the wood pulp industry. It was first made in the 1860s, has long been used as an industrial solvent, and began to be studied in medicine in the 1960s.

In the United States, a 50% DMSO solution (Rimso-50) is FDA-approved for placement into the bladder to relieve symptoms of interstitial cystitis. The Rimso-50 prescribing label states it has not been approved as safe and effective for any other use.

DMSO is also sold as an industrial solvent and as a veterinary product. Those grades are not made for people, and their purity is not guaranteed.

How Does DMSO Liquid Work?

DMSO passes through the skin and cell membranes very easily. It can carry other substances with it, which is why it is sometimes used as a carrier for medicines in research.

That same property is a safety risk: dirt, lotions, chemicals or contaminants in a low-quality product can be carried into the body too.

DMSO has also shown anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in lab studies. How much this helps people with specific conditions is still uncertain.

How to Use DMSO Liquid for Pain Relief

DMSO is not FDA-approved for pain, and studies of topical DMSO for pain have had mixed results. If you still want to try it, talk with your doctor first and keep these points in mind:

1. Use only a product made for human use. Do not use industrial-grade or veterinary DMSO on yourself.
2. Wash and dry the skin area and your hands first, so DMSO does not carry anything else into your body.
3. Apply a small amount to unbroken skin, away from the eyes, mouth and genitals.
4. Let it dry in the open air. Do not cover the area with a bandage or wrap, which can increase irritation and absorption.
5. Do not mix DMSO with oils, essential oils or other products to make your own blends.

Precautions

When using any DMSO product, take these precautions:

• Stop using it if you get redness, burning, itching or a rash.
• Avoid using it on broken or irritated skin.
• Wash your hands after use to avoid getting it in your eyes or mouth.
• Do not use DMSO if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, because its safety has not been established.
• Consult your healthcare provider before use if you have any health conditions or take any medications.

How to Use DMSO Liquid for Back Pain

There is no good evidence that DMSO is an effective treatment for back pain. Proven first steps for most back pain include staying gently active, heat, and over-the-counter pain relievers used as directed.

If back pain is severe, follows an injury, or comes with numbness, weakness, fever, or bladder or bowel changes, see a doctor promptly.

Precautions

If you use a DMSO product on your back despite the limited evidence, follow the same precautions as above:

• Use only a product made for human use.
• Do not apply DMSO liquid to broken or irritated skin on your back.
• Avoid applying it near your eyes or mouth.
• Consult your healthcare provider first if you have any health conditions or take any medications.

How to Dilute and Use DMSO Liquid

Many websites give home dilution recipes for DMSO. We don’t recommend making your own mixtures.

Why Dilution is Important

Stronger DMSO is more likely to irritate skin. But diluting it at home does not make an impure product safe, and there is no established safe concentration for over-the-counter use.

How to Dilute DMSO Liquid

Skip DIY dilution. If your doctor recommends a DMSO product, use one made for human use in the strength they suggest. Do not mix DMSO with carrier oils, essential oils or other ingredients, because it can carry all of them through your skin.

How to Use Diluted DMSO Liquid

Follow your doctor’s instructions and the product label. Apply to clean, unbroken skin, let it air dry, and do not cover it.

Precautions

• Do not apply DMSO liquid to broken or irritated skin.
• Avoid applying DMSO liquid near your eyes or mouth.
• Never swallow or inject DMSO bought online.
• Consult your healthcare provider before using DMSO liquid if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking any medications.

How to Use DMSO Liquid for Herpes

Herpes is a common viral infection. There is no reliable evidence that DMSO liquid treats herpes outbreaks.

According to the CDC’s genital herpes overview, there is no cure for genital herpes, but antiviral medicines can prevent or shorten outbreaks. Daily antiviral therapy can also lower the risk of passing the virus to others.

Do not apply DMSO to genital sores or other mucous membranes. If you think you have herpes, see a healthcare provider for testing and treatment.

How Does DMSO Liquid Help with Weight Loss?

It doesn’t, based on current evidence. No reliable human studies show that DMSO reduces body weight or fat mass, raises metabolic rate or burns calories.

How to Use DMSO for Weight Loss

We don’t recommend using DMSO for weight loss in any form. Drinking DMSO or rubbing it on the abdomen, hips or thighs will not target fat, and there is no safe or effective dose for this purpose.

Proven approaches include eating fewer calories than you burn, staying active, and talking with your doctor about medical treatment if you have obesity.

How to Store DMSO Liquid

If you have a DMSO product, these storage tips help keep it safe:

1. Store it as the label directs, at room temperature and away from heat.
2. Keep it tightly closed in its original container, since DMSO absorbs moisture from the air.
3. Expect it to freeze in a cool room. DMSO solidifies at about 65°F (18.5°C) and melts again without harm.
4. Keep it out of reach of children and pets.
5. Discard it if it changes color, looks cloudy, or is past its expiration date.

Potential Side Effects of Using DMSO Liquid

DMSO can cause side effects, and the prescription label lists several. Here are the most commonly reported ones:

1. Garlic-like taste and odor: A garlic-like taste can start within minutes, and breath and skin odor may last up to 72 hours.
2. Skin irritation: Redness, itching, burning and rash can occur, especially with stronger products.
3. Allergic-type reactions: DMSO can release histamine, and the label warns of occasional hypersensitivity reactions.
4. Headache, nausea and dizziness: These have also been reported.

The prescription label also recommends eye exams and periodic liver, kidney and blood tests during long-term treatment, because high doses caused eye lens changes in animals.

DMSO can increase the absorption of other substances, including toxins and contaminants. Stop using it and seek medical care if you have swelling, trouble breathing or a widespread rash.

How DMSO Liquid Interacts with Other Medications

Because DMSO helps other substances cross the skin, it may change how much of a medicine reaches your bloodstream.

Common Interactions of DMSO Liquid with Medications and Products

• Topical products: DMSO can increase the absorption of creams, ointments and other products on the skin, which can increase side effects.
• Other medicines: DMSO may change the effects of medicines you take, including blood thinners, steroids and cancer treatments. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before combining them.

Precautions to Take When Using DMSO Liquid with Other Medications and Products

• Consult your healthcare provider before using DMSO liquid with any other medications or products.
• Tell your healthcare provider about all medications and supplements you take, including over-the-counter drugs.
• Avoid applying DMSO liquid to areas where other topical products have been applied, unless directed by a healthcare provider.

DMSO Liquid: Benefits and Limitations

DMSO gets a lot of attention online, but most claims go well beyond the evidence. Here is a balanced view:

Benefits of DMSO Liquid

1. Approved bladder treatment: A prescription 50% solution relieves symptoms of interstitial cystitis when placed in the bladder by a clinician.
2. Possible anti-inflammatory effects: DMSO has shown anti-inflammatory effects in lab studies, and it has been studied for pain, with mixed results in people.
3. Carrier properties: Its ability to cross the skin makes it useful in research as a carrier for other substances.

Limitations of DMSO Liquid

1. Skin Sensitivity: DMSO liquid can cause skin irritation or an allergic-type reaction.
2. Odor: It causes a garlic-like taste and body odor that can last for days.
3. Possible Contaminants: It carries whatever is on the skin or in the product into the body.
4. Unregulated products: Over-the-counter, industrial and veterinary DMSO products are not checked for purity like prescription drugs.
5. Limited Research: Apart from interstitial cystitis, there is little high-quality evidence for its use in people.

DMSO liquid is not a cure-all and may not be safe for everyone. Consult a healthcare professional before using it.

Conclusion

DMSO liquid is a solvent with one FDA-approved human use: a prescription bladder treatment for interstitial cystitis. Claims that it treats pain, back pain, herpes or excess weight are not established.

If you are considering DMSO liquid, talk with a healthcare professional first. Use only products made for human use, avoid DIY mixtures, and stop at the first sign of a reaction.

FAQs

What is DMSO liquid?

DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) is a colorless solvent made mainly as a byproduct of wood pulp processing. A prescription 50% solution is FDA-approved only for placement into the bladder to relieve interstitial cystitis symptoms.

What are the benefits of using DMSO liquid?

DMSO has been studied for pain and inflammation, with mixed results. Apart from the prescription bladder treatment, its benefits are not established, and it is not proven to treat herpes or cause weight loss.

How do I use DMSO liquid for pain relief?

DMSO is not FDA-approved for pain. If you want to try a topical product, talk to your doctor first, use a product made for human use, apply it only to clean, unbroken skin, and do not cover it with a bandage.

Are there any side effects of using DMSO liquid?

Yes. Reported effects include a garlic-like taste and breath or body odor, skin irritation, headache and allergic-type reactions.

The prescription product also requires eye exams and periodic liver, kidney and blood tests during long-term use.

Can I use DMSO liquid for herpes?

It is not a proven herpes treatment. There is no cure for genital herpes, but prescription antiviral medicines can prevent or shorten outbreaks. See a healthcare provider instead of using DMSO.

How should I store DMSO liquid?

Keep it tightly closed in its original glass or approved container, out of reach of children and pets. DMSO freezes at about 65°F (18.5°C) and melts again without harm.

Sources

• RIMSO-50 (dimethyl sulfoxide) irrigant label, DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine)
• About Genital Herpes, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention