Sulindac/Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO)
This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.
Medical warning:
Severe. These medicines may interact and cause very harmful effects and are usually not taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.
How the interaction occurs:
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) may prevent your body from processing sulindac to its active form.
What might happen:
Your sulindac may not work as well. You may also develop a condition called peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include numbness and/or tingling of the arms and/or legs.
What you should do about this interaction:
Let your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) know right away that you are taking these medicines together. Let your doctor know if your sulindac does not work as well or if you develop numbness and/or tingling of the arms and/or legs.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
References:
1.Clinoril (sulindac) US prescribing information. Merck & Co., Inc. December, 2010.
2.Swanson BN, Boppana VK, Vlasses PH, Rotmensch HH, Ferguson RK. Dimethyl sulfoxide inhibits bioactivation of sulindac. J Lab Clin Med 1983 Jul; 102(1):95-101.
3.Reinstein L, Mahon R Jr, Russo GL. Peripheral neuropathy after concomitant dimethyl sulfoxide use and sulindac therapy. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 1982 Nov;63(11):581-4.
4.Swanson BN, Ferguson RK, Raskin NH, Wolf BA. Peripheral neuropathy after concomitant administration of dimethyl sulfoxide and sulindac. Arthritis Rheum 1983 Jun;26(6):791-3.
