Rimso-50 (dimethyl sulfoxide)

Rimso-50 (dimethyl sulfoxide, also called DMSO) is an anti-inflammatory and bladder irrigating drug believed to reduce swelling and pain due to interstitial cystitis and improve blood supply to the treated area used to treat pain and swelling associated with bladder or urinary conditions including cystitis (bladder inflammation or irritation).

Common side effects of Rimso-50 include

• bladder pain and
• discomfort.
• A garlic-like taste in the mouth may be noticed within minutes of placing Rimso-50 in the bladder. This taste may last several hours, and an odor on the breath or from the skin may be noticed for up to 3 days following use of Rimso-50.

• Instillation of 50 mL of RIMSO-50 (dimethyl sulfoxide) directly into the bladder may be accomplished by catheter or asepto syringe and allow to remain for 15 minutes.
• Application of an analgesic lubricant gel such as lidocaine jelly to the urethra is suggested prior to insertion of the catheter to avoid spasm.
• The medication is expelled by spontaneous voiding.
• It is recommended that the treatment be repeated every two weeks until maximum symptomatic relief is obtained.
• Thereafter, time intervals between therapy may be increased appropriately.

Administration of oral analgesic medication or suppositories containing belladonna and opium prior to the instillation of RIMSO-50 can reduce bladder spasm.

In patients with severe interstitial cystitis with very sensitive bladders, the initial treatment, and possibly the second and third (depending on patient response) should be done under anesthesia. (Saddle block has been suggested).

• There are no adequate and well controlled studies in pregnant women.
• Dimethyl sulfoxide should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
• It is not known whether this drug is excreted in human milk.
• Because many drugs are excreted in human milk, caution should be exercised when dimethyl sulfoxide is administered to a nursing woman.