Category

General Application:

Dimethyl sulfoxide enhances the topical penetration of drugs owing to its ability to displace bound water from the stratum corneum. Increases in drug penetration have been reported with dimethyl sulfoxide concentrations as low as 15%, but significant increases in permeability generally require concentrations higher than 60–80%. The use of dimethyl sulfoxide to improve transdermal delivery has been reported for ciclosporin, timolol, and a wide range of other drugs. Dimethyl sulfoxide has also been used in the formulation of an injection containing allopurinol. It has also been investigated for use in an experimental parenteral preparation for the treatment of liver tumors. In paint formulations of idoxuridine, dimethyl sulfoxide acts both as a solvent to increase drug solubility and a means of enabling penetration of the antiviral agent to the deeper levels of the epidermis. Dimethyl sulfoxide has also been investigated as a potential therapeutic agent in conditions such as scleroderma, interstitial cystitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and acute musculoskeletal injuries, and as an analgesic. It has also been recommended for the treatment of anthracycline extravasation and has been investigated as a potential cryoprotectant.