1. January 2004 -- DMSO, or dimethyl sulfoxide, is a solvent
similar to turpentine
promoted for arthritis relief. In a sterile form called Rimso-50, it
is
approved by FDA for treating a rare bladder condition called
interstitial
cystitis. For this approved use, it is instilled into the bladder
for short
times (20 to 30 minutes). This is the only approved human use. It is
not approved for use
on human skin and should never be placed on the facial skin due to
severe irritation and
ocular surface pathology.

There are no controlled studies demonstrating its safety and
effectiveness in relieving
swollen, inflamed arthritic joints, and in an impure form it can
harbor
bacterial toxins that can enter the bloodstream even when applied
topically. It is one of the few compounds rapidly absorbed through
the
skin. It can be especially dangerous if used as an enema, as
recommended
by its promoters.

2. April 2004 -- The FDA refuses to approve the use or prescription
of DMSO for anything other than interstitial cystitis in every US
state!

3. Recent FDA alert on use of DMSO on human eyes and skin.
Considered the "Snake Oil of the 1990's"

REASON FOR
ALERT : DMSO is dimethyl sulfoxide, a solvent derived
from wood, which has been the subject of
considerable interest for its potential as a
drug. Testing of DMSO as a drug began in the
early 1960's, but was halted in 1965 after
experiments in animals indicated that it had
adverse effects on the eyes.
Experiments were resumed the following year with
restrictions to assure that patients were
adequately protected. At present, the only human
use for which DMSO has been approved is for
interstitial cystitis, a bladder condition.

Testing of DMSO continues for other purposes,
such as scleroderma, arthritic conditions of
joints, tendinitis, and bursitis. Studies of
DMSO for possible use in mental illness have been
concluded with no evidence that it is effective
for that purpose. No definite conclusions have
yet been drawn about DMSO's usefulness in other
conditions, such a spinal cord injuries and brain
trauma. It has been reported that industrial
grade DMSO, devoid of drug labeling, is being
used for self-treatment of arthritis and other
disease conditions. The industrial grade product
is not of the quality used for drug purposes and
is not made under conditions that are necessary
for the production of human drugs and protection
of users. Side effects associated with its use
include nausea, headache, skin bleeding, irritant
dermatitis,
and skin rash. Further, since DMSO is a "carrier" chemical, it
could deliver harmful substances into the bloodstream,
if they are present in impure DMSO through use on
the skin. There are no foreign manufactures of
DMSO that hold effective NDA's or IND's.