What Is DMSO?
A DailyMed prescribing label describes dimethyl sulfoxide as a clear, colorless and essentially odorless liquid that is miscible with water and most organic solvents. It says dimethyl sulfoxide is indicated for the symptomatic relief of patients with interstitial cystitis, that it has not been approved as being safe and effective for any other indication, and that following topical application it is absorbed and generally distributed in the tissues and body fluids.
A 2019 systematic review in F1000Research says DMSO is used today mostly for cryopreservation of stem cells, treatment of interstitial cystitis, and as a penetrating vehicle for various drugs. Across the 109 studies it included, gastrointestinal and skin reactions were the most commonly reported adverse reactions, and most reactions were transient without need for intervention. It says part of the DMSO is transformed into the volatile metabolite dimethyl sulfide, which gives a characteristic garlic or oyster-like smell when excreted through the lungs.
Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.
The sources behind this answer
- Regulatory filingA DailyMed prescribing label says dimethyl sulfoxide is indicated for relief of interstitial cystitis and has not been approved as safe and effective for any other use. DailyMed, National Library of Medicine ↗
- Medical referenceThe DailyMed label describes dimethyl sulfoxide as a clear, colorless, essentially odorless liquid that mixes with water and most organic solvents. DailyMed, National Library of Medicine ↗
- Medical referenceThe DailyMed label says dimethyl sulfoxide applied to the skin is absorbed and generally distributed in the tissues and body fluids. DailyMed, National Library of Medicine ↗
- StudyA 2019 systematic review says DMSO is used mostly for stem cell cryopreservation, interstitial cystitis treatment, and as a penetrating vehicle for drugs. F1000Research, via PubMed Central ↗
- StudyThe 2019 review of 109 studies found gastrointestinal and skin reactions were the most common adverse reactions to DMSO, and most were transient. F1000Research, via PubMed Central ↗
- StudyThe review says part of DMSO becomes dimethyl sulfide, which gives a garlic or oyster-like smell when breathed out. F1000Research, via PubMed Central ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.