Drug & supplement interaction

Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) + Metformin

Metformin brand names: Glucophage, Metformin.

No Known Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated July 2026 · Pair last verified Sep 13, 2026
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) and Metformin in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.

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Interaction report

Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) and Metformin

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Metformin and Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) safety at a glance

Dimethylsulfoxide... overall Use caution Topical use can irritate skin and may carry impurities; only pharmaceutical-grade products should ever be used.
Pregnancy Avoid Safety has not been established, so it is best to avoid during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Avoid There is not enough safety information, so avoid while breastfeeding.

Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Metformin and Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso)? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
How we checked

Why No Interaction Is Listed for Metformin

Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes, not just single drug names. Metformin is filed under 5 classifications — including organic cation transporter 2 (oct2) substrates, antidiabetes drugs, oral drugs. Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) has documented interactions with 8 drug classes — the most serious being anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs (moderate), carboplatin (paraplatin) (moderate) and cholinergic drugs (moderate) — and none of Metformin’s classifications are among them.

Classification data comes from our licensed Natural Medicines dataset. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded there, so this describes how the check was run — it is not a safety guarantee.

Keep it in perspective

Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) Does Interact With Other Medications

Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) has 339 moderate known drug interactions in our database — Metformin isn’t one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 339 No known interaction 2,491 (incl. Metformin)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso)

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso). Pick one to open its full report.

What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) and Metformin May Share Several of the Same Side Effects

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do. 2 of them are worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • Chest pain Worth acting on Additional detail

    Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso)

    “Infusion of hematopoietic stem cells cryopreserved with DMSO might cause hypertension with tachycardia, bradycardia, chest tightness, and ventricular extrasystoles. Intravenously, DMSO can cause vasodilation, facial flushing, hypotension, chest pains, and sinus tachycardia.”

    Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in hypertension.

    6 sources cited
    1. 5695. Barker SB, Matthews PN, Philip PF, Williams G. Prospective study of intravesical dimethyl sulphoxide in the treatment of chronic inflammatory bladder disease. Br J Urol 1987;59:142-4. PubMed
    2. 5696. Fowler JE Jr. Prospective study of intravesical dimthyl sulfoxide in treatment of suspected early interstitial cystitis. Urology 1981;18:21-6.
    3. 5697. Shirley SW, Stewart BH, Mirelman S. Dimethyl sulfoxide in treatment of inflammatory genitourinary disorders. Urology 1978;11:215-20. PubMed
    4. 6318. Rowley SD. Hematopoietic stem cell processing and cryopreservation. J Clin Apheresis 1992;7:132-4. PubMed
    5. 6320. Zambelli A, Poggi G, Da Prada G, et al. Clinical toxicity of cryopreserved circulation progenitor cells infusion. Anticancer Res 1998;18:4705-8.
    6. 6300. Marshall LF, Camp PE, Bowers SA. Dimethyl sulfoxide for the treatment of intracranial hypertension: a preliminary trial. Neurosurg 1984;14:659-63. DOI

    Metformin

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Metformin. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Shortness of breath Worth acting on Additional detail

    Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso)

    “Topically, DMSO might cause dry or sore throat, cough, dry nasal passages, dyspnea, worsening of bronchial asthma, and an influenza-like syndrome.”

    Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in asthma.

    6 sources cited
    1. 6303. Rosenstein ED. Topical agents in the treatment of rheumatic disorders. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 1999;25:899-918. PubMed
    2. 6304. Trice JM, Pinals RS. Dimethyl sulfoxide: a review of its use in the rheumatic disorders. Semin Arthritis Rheum 1985;15:45-60. PubMed
    3. 6306. Merlini G. Treatment of primary amyloidosis. Semin Hematol 1995;32:60-79.
    4. 6308. Thiers BH. Unusual treatments for herpesvirus infections II, herpes zoster. J Am Acad Dermatol 1983;8:433-6. PubMed
    5. 6309. Burton WJ, Gould PW, Hursthouse MW, et al. A multicentre trial of Zostrum (5 percent idoxuridine in dimethyl sulphoxide) in herpes zoster. N Z Med J 1981;94:384-6.
    6. 6311. Juel Jensen BE, MacCallum FO, Mackenzie AM, Pike MC. Treatment of zoster with idoxuridine in dimethyl sulphoxide. Results of two double-blind controlled trials. Br Med J 1970;4:776-80. PubMed

    Metformin

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Metformin. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Chills / Tiredness / Dizziness / Headache Additional detail

    Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso)

    “Topically, DMSO might cause sedation, headache, dizziness, and drowsiness.

    Intravenously, DMSO might cause weakness, confusion, lethargy, disorientation, agitation, dysarthria, hypoactive reflexes, decreased consciousness, and encephalopathy.

    Infusion of hematopoietic stem cells cryopreserved with DMSO might cause rigors and chills.”

    Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in cluster headache.

    6 sources cited
    1. 6303. Rosenstein ED. Topical agents in the treatment of rheumatic disorders. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 1999;25:899-918. PubMed
    2. 6304. Trice JM, Pinals RS. Dimethyl sulfoxide: a review of its use in the rheumatic disorders. Semin Arthritis Rheum 1985;15:45-60. PubMed
    3. 6306. Merlini G. Treatment of primary amyloidosis. Semin Hematol 1995;32:60-79.
    4. 6308. Thiers BH. Unusual treatments for herpesvirus infections II, herpes zoster. J Am Acad Dermatol 1983;8:433-6. PubMed
    5. 6309. Burton WJ, Gould PW, Hursthouse MW, et al. A multicentre trial of Zostrum (5 percent idoxuridine in dimethyl sulphoxide) in herpes zoster. N Z Med J 1981;94:384-6.
    6. 6311. Juel Jensen BE, MacCallum FO, Mackenzie AM, Pike MC. Treatment of zoster with idoxuridine in dimethyl sulphoxide. Results of two double-blind controlled trials. Br Med J 1970;4:776-80. PubMed

    Metformin

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Metformin. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Flushing Additional detail

    Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso)

    Recorded for Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) in the same Natural Medicines adverse-effect record shown under Chest pain above.

    Metformin

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Metformin. Read the label on DailyMed ›

  • Diarrhea / Vomiting / Nausea Additional detail

    Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso)

    “Topically, DMSO might cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and anorexia.

    Infusion of hematopoietic stem cells cryopreserved with DMSO might cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.”

    Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in anorexia.

    6 sources cited
    1. 6303. Rosenstein ED. Topical agents in the treatment of rheumatic disorders. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 1999;25:899-918. PubMed
    2. 6304. Trice JM, Pinals RS. Dimethyl sulfoxide: a review of its use in the rheumatic disorders. Semin Arthritis Rheum 1985;15:45-60. PubMed
    3. 6306. Merlini G. Treatment of primary amyloidosis. Semin Hematol 1995;32:60-79.
    4. 6308. Thiers BH. Unusual treatments for herpesvirus infections II, herpes zoster. J Am Acad Dermatol 1983;8:433-6. PubMed
    5. 6309. Burton WJ, Gould PW, Hursthouse MW, et al. A multicentre trial of Zostrum (5 percent idoxuridine in dimethyl sulphoxide) in herpes zoster. N Z Med J 1981;94:384-6.
    6. 6311. Juel Jensen BE, MacCallum FO, Mackenzie AM, Pike MC. Treatment of zoster with idoxuridine in dimethyl sulphoxide. Results of two double-blind controlled trials. Br Med J 1970;4:776-80. PubMed

    Metformin

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Metformin. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Reported for Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) but not commonly for Metformin: an irregular heartbeat, a fast or pounding heartbeat, stomach pain and confusion.

Effects for Metformin come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

From our Q&A

Questions About Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) or Metformin

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) or Metformin, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Metformin

This page covers Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Metformin page lists 258 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major), Acai (moderate), African Wild Potato (moderate) and Agaricus Mushroom (moderate).

By severity: 2 major · 217 moderate · 39 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Metformin page

“Siberian cocklebur is the ingredient I most want anyone taking metformin (Glucophage) to know about. It has caused severe low blood sugar in people, documented in humans, and it should not be combined with any glucose-lowering medication.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Metformin interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) and Metformin Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso)
Top half

#659 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Metformin
Top 1%

#29 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) and Metformin records this page draws on were last updated July 10, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso)

What is Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso)?

Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso)
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Arthritis
  • Sprains and strains
  • Interstitial cystitis (bladder pain)
  • Skin penetration enhancer for other medicines

DMSO is a colorless liquid solvent that people apply to the skin for pain and inflammation, and it is FDA-approved (as a prescription) only for interstitial cystitis placed directly into the bladder. Most over-the-counter uses for pain and arthritis have limited or low-quality evidence, and DMSO can carry impurities or push other chemicals through your skin. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using it, and avoid industrial-grade products.

Industrially produced chemical compound (a byproduct of wood pulp processing) · Topical cream, gel, liquid solution; bladder instillation solution (prescription); industrial-grade and pharmaceutical-grade liquids

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) record says about it on its own.

Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso): dosing

There is no single standardized over-the-counter dose of DMSO for pain or arthritis.

From our Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Metformin

What Is Metformin Used For?

Brand names: Glucophage, Metformin

Metformin is used to improve blood sugar (glucose) control in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is always used together with diet and exercise, not instead of them.

Metformin hydrochloride tablets and oral solution are approved for adults and children 10 years and older. Metformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets — including brands such as Fortamet, Glumetza, and Metformin Hydrochloride Extended Release — are approved for adults only.

See full Metformin drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso)

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
339Moderate
0Minor
2,490No known interaction
339 Moderate 2,490 No interaction
Moderate

339 interactions

Showing 60 of 339 moderate interactions — see all 339 on the Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) page.

No interaction 2,490 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,490 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) list.

See the full Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) interactions page
See every supplement checked against Metformin, ranked by severity
Evidence & sources

Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) References

The 27 references that drive our Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Ludwig CU, Stoll HR, Obrist R, Obrecht JP. Prevention of cytotoxic drug induced skin ulcers with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and alpha-tocopherol. Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol 1987;23:327-9.
  2. Barker SB, Matthews PN, Philip PF, Williams G. Prospective study of intravesical dimethyl sulphoxide in the treatment of chronic inflammatory bladder disease. Br J Urol 1987;59:142-4. PubMed
  3. Fowler JE Jr. Prospective study of intravesical dimthyl sulfoxide in treatment of suspected early interstitial cystitis. Urology 1981;18:21-6.
  4. Shirley SW, Stewart BH, Mirelman S. Dimethyl sulfoxide in treatment of inflammatory genitourinary disorders. Urology 1978;11:215-20. PubMed
  5. Marshall LF, Camp PE, Bowers SA. Dimethyl sulfoxide for the treatment of intracranial hypertension: a preliminary trial. Neurosurg 1984;14:659-63. DOI
  6. Karaca M, Bilgin UY, Akar M, de la Torre JC. Dimethyl sulphoxide lowers ICP after head trauma. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1991;40:113-4.
  7. Rosenstein ED. Topical agents in the treatment of rheumatic disorders. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 1999;25:899-918. PubMed
  8. Trice JM, Pinals RS. Dimethyl sulfoxide: a review of its use in the rheumatic disorders. Semin Arthritis Rheum 1985;15:45-60. PubMed
  9. Merlini G. Treatment of primary amyloidosis. Semin Hematol 1995;32:60-79.
  10. Thiers BH. Unusual treatments for herpesvirus infections II, herpes zoster. J Am Acad Dermatol 1983;8:433-6. PubMed
  11. Burton WJ, Gould PW, Hursthouse MW, et al. A multicentre trial of Zostrum (5 percent idoxuridine in dimethyl sulphoxide) in herpes zoster. N Z Med J 1981;94:384-6.
  12. Juel Jensen BE, MacCallum FO, Mackenzie AM, Pike MC. Treatment of zoster with idoxuridine in dimethyl sulphoxide. Results of two double-blind controlled trials. Br Med J 1970;4:776-80. PubMed
  13. Wildenhoff KE, Esmann V, Ipsen J, Harving H, et al. Treatment of trigeminal and thoracic zoster with idoxuridine. Scand J Infect Dis 1981;13:257-62. PubMed
  14. Williams HJ, Furst DE, Dahl SL, et al. Double-blind, multicenter controlled trial comparing topical dimethyl sulfoxide and normal saline for treatment of hand ulcers in patients with systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Rheum 1985;28:308-14. PubMed
  15. Takacs T, Montet JC. In vitro dissolution of cholesterol biliary stones. Gut 1995;37:157-8. PubMed

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) and Metformin Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) with Metformin?
We do not list a known interaction between Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) and Metformin. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Do Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) and Metformin have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 10 of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.
How was the Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) and Metformin combination checked?
Interactions in our licensed database are recorded against drug classes. Metformin is filed under 5 classifications, and Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) has documented interactions with 8 drug classes — none of Metformin's classifications are among them. A medication can belong to classes beyond those recorded in our dataset, so this describes how the check was run rather than guaranteeing safety.
Does Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) interact with any other medications?
Yes. Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) has 339 documented drug interactions in our database — Metformin is simply not one of them. If you take anything else, it is worth checking each one; they are all listed on this page.
Does Metformin interact with any supplements?
Yes. Metformin has documented interactions with 258 supplements in our database — Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) is not one of them. The Metformin interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Where next

Keep Exploring

Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) monograph Uses, safety profile, and every drug interaction in one place Metformin drug information The full plain-English guide to this medication Metformin supplement interactions Every supplement checked against Metformin, ranked by severity Supplement interaction checker Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z Every drug we’ve checked against herbs & supplements References The 27 citations behind this page Ask a pharmacist Free, personal answer from our licensed team

Still Have a Question About Metformin and Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso)?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.