Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a colourless, organic compound widely used in the pharmaceutical and agriculture industries. It is manufactured from dimethyl sulfide, which is the by product of the Kraft’s process for making paper from wood pulp. Dimethyl sulfoxide is non-toxic and a biodegradable solvent which is used as an alternative to other toxic solvents.

Based on demand by application, the pharmaceutical segment is anticipated to have largest market share. Dimethyl sulfoxide has anti-inflammatory characteristics and is often used in medicines. It is used because of its therapeutic and pharmaceutical properties. Dimethyl sulfoxide is used as anti-inflammatory, local and systemic analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and membrane penetration enhancement agents. In the agrochemical industry, Dimethyl sulfoxide is used in the manufacture of herbicides, insecticides and helps in effectively improving the reaction rates in the soil. Pharmaceutical and agrochemical markets are recovering after COVID-19 pandemic becuase of the increasing demand for products, manufacturers are planning to expand their Dimethyl sulfoxide capacities. Such factors increase the demand of dimethyl sulfoxide in pharmaceutical application.

Asia Pacific accounted to be the largest market for Dimethyl sulfoxide on the back of strong demand from the pharmaceutical and agrochemicals industry, followed by North America and Western Europe. The growth of the Dimethyl sulfoxide market in the Middle East & Africa and South America region can be because of the growing of the agrochemical industry in these regions.

Top Dimethyl sulfoxide Manufacturers

• Gaylord Chemical Corporation
• Arkema
• Hubei Xingfa Chemicals Group Co., Ltd.
• Toray Fine Chemicals

Benefits of Dimethyl sulfoxide in the pharmaceutical industry

In the pharmaceutical industry, Dimethyl sulfoxide is widely used as it helps medicines penetrate through the skin and can affect proteins, carbohydrates, fats, and water in the body.  It was observed that Dimethyl sulfoxide penetrates the human skin with very little effect on the tissues, which made the solvent a better alternative to oral formulations and injectables. Dimethyl sulfoxide is used in transdermal drug delivery systems (i.e., patches) as it is a beneficial alternative to other pain medications. In 1978, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of Dimethyl sulfoxide for the symptomatic relief of chronic interstitial cystitis which is commonly known as the bladder pain syndrome.

Dimethyl sulfoxide is applied on the skin when there is a leakage of intravenous drug form the vein to the surrounding tissue and skin, it is applied to prevent further damage to the skin. It is also used in steroids because of its membrane penetration and anti-inflammatory effects. It is used to preserve bone marrow, stem cells and is used as a cry protective agent. It is often used as a component in a variety of anti-bacterial treatments. These factors are expected to grow the Dimethyl sulfoxide market in the forecast period.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the pharmaceutical industry expanded rapidly. Owing to this, people were more aware of their health and safety which helped in boosting the demand for Dimethyl sulfoxide in the pharmaceutical companies. In several countries, Dimethyl sulfoxide is licensed to be used in the manufacture of medicines.

Dimethyl sulfoxide has anti-inflammatory effects, therefore it is used to decrease inflammation and stop the development of swelling by preventing the oxidation of oxygen molecules produced by the biological processes.