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Rimso-50 (Dimethyl Sulfoxide) - Warnings and Precautions

 
 



WARNINGS

Dimethyl sulfoxide can initiate the liberation of histamine and there has been occasional hypersensitivity reaction with topical administration of dimethyl sulfoxide. This hypersensitivity has been reported in one patients receiving intravesical RIMSO-50®. The physician should be cognizant of this possibility in prescribing RIMSO-50®. If anaphylactoid symptoms develop, appropriate therapy should be instituted.

PRECAUTIONS

Changes in the refractive index and lens opacities have been seen in monkeys, dogs and rabbits given high doses of dimethyl sulfoxide chronically. Since lens changes were noted in animals, full eye evaluations, including slit lamp examinations, are recommended prior to and periodically during treatment.

Approximately every six months patients receiving dimethyl sulfoxide should have a biochemical screening, particularly liver and renal function tests, and complete blood count.

Intravesical instillation of RIMSO-50® may be harmful to patients with urinary tract malignancy because of dimethyl sulfoxide-induced vasodilation.

Some data indicate that dimethyl sulfoxide potentiates other concomitantly administered medications.

Pregnancy Category C

Dimethyl sulfoxide caused teratogenic responses in hamsters, rats and mice when administered intraperitoneally at high doses (2.5 to 12 gm/kg). Oral or topical doses of dimethyl sulfoxide did not cause problems of reproduction in rats, mice and hamsters. Topical doses (5 gm/kg first two days, then 2.5 gm/kg - last eight days) produced terata in rabbits, but in another study, topical doses of 1.1 gm/kg days 3 through 16 of gestation failed to produce any abnormalities. 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.

INFORMATION FOR PATIENTS (Patient Copy)

RIMSO-50® is a sterile solution of 50% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and 50% water that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in the symptomatic relief of patients with interstitial cystitis.

RIMSO-50® will be instilled in the bladder on an inpatient or out-patient basis, which will be determined by your physician.

Some data indicate that dimethyl sulfoxide could change the effectiveness of medication(s) that you may be presently receiving. Be sure to mention the name and dosage of all medicines you are taking to your physician before a RIMSO-50® instillation.

A garlic-like taste may be noted by the patient within a few minutes after instillation of RIMSO-50® (dimethyl sulfoxide). This taste may last several hours. An odor on the breath and skin may be present and remain for up to 72 hours.

Some patients may experience discomfort on administration of the drug. Usually this becomes less prominent with repeated administration.

If you are pregnant or nursing, ask your physician about the advisability of using RIMSO-50®.

Some eye changes have been observed in animals treated with DMSO in large doses for prolonged periods. Therefore your doctor may want you to have eye evaluations, including slit lamp examinations prior to and periodically during treatment.

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.

Safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.

Information available to be given to the patient is reprinted at the end of this text.

Page last updated: 2012-07-31

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