Drug & supplement interaction

Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) + Eltrombopag

Eltrombopag brand names: Promacta, Revolade, Alvaiz.

No Known Interaction
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) and Eltrombopag 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 label for Eltrombopag states a food rule worth keeping to, and 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

Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) and Eltrombopag

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 Eltrombopag and Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) 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.

Worth understanding: our licensed dataset holds no drug-interaction record for Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) at all — not against Eltrombopag, and not against any other medication we track. This verdict therefore rests on the absence of any recorded data, not on research that looked at this combination and found nothing. We cannot rule an interaction out.

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.

Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) safety at a glance

Methylsulfonylmeth... overall Use caution Generally well tolerated short-term, but long-term safety is not well studied.
Pregnancy Avoid Not enough safety data, so it is best avoided during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Avoid There is no reliable safety information for breastfeeding, so avoid it.

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

Still wondering about combining Eltrombopag and Methylsulfonylmethane (msm)? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) and Eltrombopag 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.

  • Trouble sleeping / Tiredness / Headache Additional detail

    Methylsulfonylmethane (msm)

    “Orally, MSM may cause headache, fatigue, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating.”

    Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in cluster headache.

    2 sources cited
    1. 8574. Barrager E, Veltmann JR Jr, Schauss AG, Schiller RN. A multicentered, open-label trial on the safety and efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. J Altern Complement Med 2002;8:167-73. PubMed
    2. 14335. Kim LS, Axelrod LJ, Howard P, et al. Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2006;14:286-94. PubMed

    Eltrombopag

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

  • Itching Additional detail

    Methylsulfonylmethane (msm)

    “In rare cases, MSM has caused pruritus when taken orally.”

    Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in pruritus.

    1 source cited
    1. 8574. Barrager E, Veltmann JR Jr, Schauss AG, Schiller RN. A multicentered, open-label trial on the safety and efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. J Altern Complement Med 2002;8:167-73. PubMed

    Eltrombopag

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

  • Diarrhea / Nausea Additional detail

    Methylsulfonylmethane (msm)

    “Orally, MSM may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, bloating, and diarrhea.”

    Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in diarrhea.

    2 sources cited
    1. 8574. Barrager E, Veltmann JR Jr, Schauss AG, Schiller RN. A multicentered, open-label trial on the safety and efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. J Altern Complement Med 2002;8:167-73. PubMed
    2. 12469. Usha PR, Naidu MU. Randomised, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Glucosamine, Methylsulfonylmethane and their Combination in Osteoarthritis. Clin Drug Investig. 2004;24(6):353-63. PubMed

    Eltrombopag

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

Reported for Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) but not commonly for Eltrombopag: stomach upset, trouble concentrating and bloating or gas.

Effects for Eltrombopag come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) 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.

How to take them

Some Eltrombopag Products Have a Food Rule — Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) Should Not Break It

At least one FDA label for a product containing Eltrombopag says to take it with food. If you take Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate — and take Eltrombopag with a meal where the label says to.

This may not be true of your version. Food instructions belong to the product, not the ingredient: two Eltrombopag products can carry different directions, and extended-release forms often differ from immediate-release ones. The label we read is quoted below — check the directions on your own box or bottle, or ask your pharmacist, for how to take the exact product you were given.

Do not split, chew, or crush tablets and mix with food or liquids.

From the Dosage and Administration section of the FDA label we read for Eltrombopag — where that label names a specific product, the instruction is that product's. Read the label on DailyMed ›

A food rule is not an interaction — it is about how much of the medicine you absorb. The directions that came with your own product, and your pharmacist, outrank anything on this page.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Eltrombopag

This page covers Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Eltrombopag page lists 55 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Beer (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major), Wine (major) and Ashwagandha (moderate).

By severity: 4 major · 42 moderate · 9 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Eltrombopag page

“Eltrombopag (Promacta, Revolade) boosts platelet production, and because the drug itself can stress the liver, this list warrants genuine care. Thirty-eight of the 55 supplements and herbs here can injure the liver on their own, so combining them stacks risk on an organ your doctor is already watching with blood tests.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Eltrombopag interaction page

How much people look this up

Where Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) and Eltrombopag 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 Methylsulfonylmethane (msm)
Steady interest

#1,220 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Eltrombopag
Steady interest

#1,482 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 Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 20, 2026. The Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) and Eltrombopag 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 Methylsulfonylmethane (msm)

What is Methylsulfonylmethane (msm)?

  • Osteoarthritis and joint pain
  • Muscle soreness after exercise
  • Inflammation
  • Skin and hair health
  • Allergy symptoms

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is a natural sulfur compound that people most often take for joint pain and exercise recovery. Some early research suggests it may modestly help osteoarthritis symptoms, but the evidence is limited and more study is needed. It appears generally well tolerated in the short term, but talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting it.

Not applicable (a sulfur-containing compound) · Capsules, tablets, powders, creams, and combination joint supplements

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

Methylsulfonylmethane (msm): dosing

There is no official or standardized dose of MSM. Studies have used a wide range of amounts, and the best dose is not clearly established.The safest approach is to follow the directions on the product label and not take more than recommended. They can help you decide if it is appropriate and what amount is reasonable.

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

Read the full Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Eltrombopag

What Is Eltrombopag Used For?

Brand names: Promacta, Revolade, Alvaiz

Eltrombopag treats thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts) in several different conditions. It is used for adults and children (age 1 and older, depending on the product) with persistent or chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) — a condition where the immune system destroys platelets — when other treatments like steroids or immunoglobulins haven't worked well enough. It is also used to raise platelet counts in adults with chronic hepatitis C whose low platelet count prevents them from starting or staying on interferon-based antiviral therapy.

Eltrombopag tablets (including Promacta) are also approved — alone or combined with immunosuppressive therapy — for adults and certain children (age 2 and older) with severe aplastic anemia, a serious bone marrow failure condition. Alvaiz (a specific brand) shares most of these uses but has product-specific dosing that is not interchangeable milligram-for-milligram with other eltrombopag products. The oral suspension formulation is approved for ITP and for refractory severe aplastic anemia, but is not approved for first-line severe aplastic anemia in combination with immunosuppressive therapy.

See full Eltrombopag drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Methylsulfonylmethane (msm)

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

0Major
0Moderate
0Minor
2,829No known interaction
No interaction 2,829 drugs checked — show the list
Evidence & sources

Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) References

The 4 references that drive our Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) 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. Barrager E, Veltmann JR Jr, Schauss AG, Schiller RN. A multicentered, open-label trial on the safety and efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. J Altern Complement Med 2002;8:167-73. PubMed
  2. Usha PR, Naidu MU. Randomised, Double-Blind, Parallel, Placebo-Controlled Study of Oral Glucosamine, Methylsulfonylmethane and their Combination in Osteoarthritis. Clin Drug Investig. 2004;24(6):353-63. PubMed
  3. Kim LS, Axelrod LJ, Howard P, et al. Efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2006;14:286-94. PubMed
  4. Hwang JC, Khine KT, Lee JC, Boyer DS, Francis BA. Methyl-sulfonyl-methane (MSM)-induced acute angle closure. J Glaucoma. 2015 Apr-May;24(4):e28-30. 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 Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) and Eltrombopag Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) with Eltrombopag?
We do not list a known interaction between Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) and Eltrombopag. 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 Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) and Eltrombopag have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to 6 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.
Should I take Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) and Eltrombopag at the same time of day?
At least one FDA label for a product containing Eltrombopag says to take it with food. If you take Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) on an empty stomach out of habit, keep them separate and take Eltrombopag with a meal where the label says to. Food instructions belong to the product rather than the ingredient — two Eltrombopag products can differ — so check the directions on your own box. This is about absorption, not an interaction.
Does Eltrombopag interact with any supplements?
Yes. Eltrombopag has documented interactions with 55 supplements in our database — Methylsulfonylmethane (msm) is not one of them. The Eltrombopag interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

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

Still Have a Question About Eltrombopag and Methylsulfonylmethane (msm)?

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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.