(FOR: Current Bladder Dysfunction Reports) Revisiting Intravesical Dimethyl Sulfoxide

Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) remains an option for the treatment of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) in select patients. This review will discuss the mechanism of action and the role of intravesical DMSO cocktail therapy, as well as outcomes and adverse events for this therapy.

Several, but not all historical studies have demonstrated some efficacy for DMSO in the treatment of BPS/IC symptoms including pain and lower urinary tract symptoms such as urgency and frequency. Although DMSO appears superior to placebo, there remain few well-done studies demonstrating support for DMSO use versus other intravesical or alternative BPS/IC treatments. AUA guidelines regarding the role of DMSO have been recently updated.

Despite a long history of utilization in the treatment of BPS/IC, the literature supporting its use is not particularly robust. Current AUA guidelines support DMSO as an option in selected patients with a modest level of evidence.