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Dimethyl Sulfoxide, Intravesical dy-METH-il sul-FOKS-ide

What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: cystitis treatment

Generic and brand names: dimethyl sulfoxide, intravesical; DMSO; Rimso-50

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is put into your bladder to treat cystitis (bladder inflammation). It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

  • an allergic reaction to any medicine
  • a bladder or urinary tract infection
  • bladder cancer

Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare providers' approval.

How do I use it?

You will be given an anesthetic to numb the area. A catheter (thin tube) is inserted into your bladder to drain any urine that is present. Then this medicine is put into your bladder through the same tube. The tube is removed slowly. Then you hold the medicine in your bladder for at least 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, you empty your bladder.

What should I watch out for?

You will need to have lab tests and eye exams regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.

This medicine may cause a garlic-like taste in your mouth within a few minutes after it is put into your bladder. This may last for several hours. This medicine may also cause your breath and skin to have a garlic-like odor that may last up to 3 days.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you have received this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Red-colored urine or bladder spasms that last longer than 24 hours after a dose of this medicine; trouble urinating.

Other: Garlic-like taste in mouth, odor of garlic from skin and breath, headache, nausea, vomiting, burning sensation in eyes.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.


This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.


Developed by RelayHealth.
Medication Advisor 2012.1 published by RelayHealth.
Last modified: 2010-11-29
Last reviewed: 2010-11-29
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
© 2012 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
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