Drug & supplement interaction

Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) + Oxybutynin

Oxybutynin brand names: Ditropan, Ditropan XL, Oxybutynin, Oxytrol, Anturol, and others.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) has a moderate interaction with Oxybutynin. Topical DMSO might increase the effects and adverse effects of topical drugs.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
EvidenceB
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) and Oxybutynin

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

TOPICAL DRUGS

Why this applies to Oxybutynin

Oxybutynin falls under TOPICAL DRUGS — the group Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) interacts with.

Topical DMSO might increase the effects and adverse effects of topical drugs.
Evidence from animal studies and limited human studies suggests that DMSO may potentiate the action of numerous topical medications by increasing their absorption through the skin. This increase in absorption seems to depend on the concentration of DMSO and the molecular weight of the medication.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence B

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

This one really applies if you're using oxybutynin in a form that goes on your skin, like the Oxytrol patch, Gelnique gel, or Anturol gel. DMSO is a powerful penetration enhancer, meaning it can push chemicals through the skin more easily. If you apply DMSO to the same area, it could increase how much oxybutynin gets absorbed.

More oxybutynin in your system can mean stronger anticholinergic side effects: dry mouth, blurry vision, constipation, trouble urinating, dizziness, or confusion (especially in older adults). This is based on limited human and animal data, so it's a real possibility rather than a certainty. Oxybutynin is not a prodrug, so more absorption simply means more effect. If you swallow oxybutynin tablets instead, this skin interaction doesn't really apply. Either way, check with your pharmacist before combining them.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Jacob SW, Herschler R. Pharmacology of DMSO. Cryobiology 1986;23:14-27. PubMed
  2. Capriotti K, Capriotti JA. Dimethyl sulfoxide: history, chemistry, and clinical utility in dermatology. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012;5(9):24-6.
  3. DOMOSO SOLUTION (90% Dimethyl Sulfoxide). Fort Dodge Animal Health, Fort Dodge, Iowa. Avaliable at: https://www.zoetisus.com/_locale-assets/mcm-portal-assets/products/pdf/domoso_solution_pi.pdf. Accessed 8/3/2020.

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) Also Interacts With Other Medications

Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) has 338 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Oxybutynin one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 338 No known interaction 2,492 (incl. Oxybutynin)
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.

From our Q&A

Questions About Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) or Oxybutynin

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 Oxybutynin, 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 Oxybutynin

This page covers Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Oxybutynin page lists 165 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Grapefruit (major), Henbane (major), Scopolia (major) and St. John's Wort (major).

By severity: 5 major · 116 moderate · 44 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Oxybutynin page

“Oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol, Gelnique) is an anticholinergic for overactive bladder, and its supplement interactions deserve genuine care rather than a quick skim. Most of the list comes down to drug levels: grapefruit juice can push oxybutynin higher and intensify its side effects, while St.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Oxybutynin interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) and Oxybutynin 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

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

29 days ago today
Medication Oxybutynin
Top half

#854 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.

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.

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

About Oxybutynin

What Is Oxybutynin Used For?

Brand names: Ditropan, Ditropan XL, Oxybutynin, Oxytrol, Anturol, Gelnique

Oxybutynin treats overactive bladder — including the sudden urge to urinate, leaking before you can reach the bathroom (urge incontinence), and going too frequently. Extended-release tablets (Oxybutynin Chloride) and immediate-release tablets and oral solution (Oxybutynin Chloride) are used for these symptoms. Oxytrol is approved for overactive bladder in men; Oxytrol for Women is approved for overactive bladder in women aged 18 and older.

Extended-release tablets (Oxybutynin Chloride) are also approved for children 6 years and older who have bladder overactivity caused by a neurological condition, such as spina bifida. Immediate-release tablets and oral solution (Oxybutynin Chloride) are indicated for bladder instability symptoms — including urgency, frequency, urinary leakage, and painful urination — in patients with neurogenic bladder conditions.

See full Oxybutynin 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
338Moderate
0Minor
2,491No known interaction
338 Moderate 2,491 No interaction
Moderate

338 interactions

Showing 60 of 338 moderate interactions — see all 338 on the Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) page.

No interaction 2,491 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 2,491 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) list.

See the full Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) interactions page
See every supplement checked against Oxybutynin, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Oxybutynin supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Oxybutynin, ranked by severity Oxybutynin drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) and Oxybutynin Together: Common Questions

Can you take Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) with Oxybutynin?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Dimethylsulfoxide (dmso) and Oxybutynin interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

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

Still Have a Question About Oxybutynin 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.