Dimethyl Sulfoxide is a drug in which the 50% solution (Rimso 50®) is instilled in the bladder to treat Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome.
American FDA approved this treatment in 1978 in the USA, and the American Urological Association Guideline recommends it for IC/BPS as a second-line treatment.
Who can have this treatment?
Patients with symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome who fail to benefit from behavioural treatment and oral medications may relieve significant symptoms withDimethyl Sulfoxide intravesical therapy.
How is Dimethyl Sulfoxide treatment done?
We use this drug in 50 ml of 50% solution.
The drug solution already prepared is instilled into the bladder through a small catheter and is retained for 15 minutes.
There are two treatment protocols:
- four treatments at two-week intervals;
- six weekly instillations.
The treatment is an outpatient procedure, and the patient can resume their daily activities immediately.
Is Dimethyl Sulfoxide effective?
Several studies showed the efficacy of Dimethyl Sulfoxide treatment. It means that studies have compared one group of patients instilled with the drug and a group with simple water (placebo group). In all studies, the researchers showed significant improvement in symptoms in the treated group compared with the placebo group, whose patients had only mild or no improvement [References 1,2].
Is the Dimethyl Sulfoxide safe?
Bladder instillations with Dimethyl Sulfoxide may have side effects related to the catheterization and drug adverse effects. Side and adverse effects are mild and transitory, especially with the first sessions, and may include:
- bladder discomfort
- painful urination
- frequent urination
Who can have Dimethyl Sulfoxide treatment?
When the behavioural treatment and oral medications fail to relieve symptoms of Interstitial Cystitis / Bladder Pain Syndrome, we escalate the therapy to the next level and offer intravesical treatment.
References
- Perez-Marrero R, Emerson LE and Feltis JT: A controlled study of dimethyl sulfoxide in interstitial cystitis. J Urol 1988; 140: 36.
- Yoshimura N et al. Efficacy and safety of intravesical instillation of KRP-116D (50% dimethyl sulfoxide solution) for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome in Japanese patients: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical study. Int J Urol. 2021 May;28(5):545-553. DOI: 10.1111/iju.14505. Epub 2021 Feb 12. PMID: 33580603; PMCID: PMC8247858.
