DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) has been hailed as a miracle agent for
the treatment of arthritis pain since the 1960’s. It is a
by-product of wood pulp processing. DMSO comes in two grades,
industrial and medical. Industrial is found in paint
thinner and anti-freeze and the medical grade is found in medical
laboratories. Hence, the grade of the DMSO determines its use
(i.e., industrial grade for its extraordinary solvent properties
and medical grade for its ability to carry other substances through
cell membranes).
As cited in an article authored by Judith Horstman, DMSO
is approved for use in many other countries for arthritis and
related conditions. Development of a drug combining DMSO with
the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac (NSAID) is
being considered by the FDA for approval as a prescription topical
NSAID.
The discoverer of DMSO, Dr. Stanley Jacob, cautions that
DMSO is not a cure for arthritis, but an effective pain
reliever. The only noted side effect of DMSO has been the
harmless side effect of a bad taste in the mouth and the smell of
garlic of oyster. No studies, however, have shown any harmful
effects in humans as a result of using DMSO in its safest form,
which is the medical grade.
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