Intravesical dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) for interstitial cystitis--a practical approach.

OBJECTIVES To provide a brief overview of intravesical dimethly sulfoxide (DMSO) therapy for interstitial cystitis and offer a practical approach to patient treatment. METHODS A review of the literature and a summation of the experience with treatment of > 300 patients with DMSO at the Interstitial Cystitis Clinic, New England Medical Center. RESULTS DMSO is helpful in a significant number of patients and it has acceptable morbidity and an excellent safety profile. CONCLUSIONS Intravesical DMSO (singly or in combination) is one of the mainstays in the pharmacologic treatment of interstitial cystitis.