msm
Patient Counselling
What is it?
MSM is a natural sulfur compound found in many vegetables, fruits, grains, milk, meat, fish and other living organisms, including humans. It is destroyed by food processing such as heating, storage, and dehydration. Sulfur is thought to help the body maintain normal connective tissues. It has been proposed to help with many conditions (such as allergies, boosting the immune system, gastrointestinal upset, etc.), including osteoarthritis where it may show benefit in reducing pain and inflammation.
Other names for MSM include: Methylsulfonylmethane and DMSO2.
Before Using:
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you:
● are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (including prescription, over the counter, supplements or natural health products)
● are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine
● are breastfeeding
● have a history of depression, breast cancer, have pheochromocytoma, or ulcers
● have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure, renal or hepatic disease
Dosage:
● Talk with your caregiver about how much MSM you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking MSM.
● With natural products it is often not clear what the optimal doses are to balance efficacy and safety. Preparation of products may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and from batch to batch within one manufacturer due to lack of standardization
In adults:
MSM is commonly given as 1500 mg to 6g a day in two to three divided doses for arthritis and joint conditions.
Pediatrics: Insufficient available evidence in children under 18.
Pregnancy and lactation: Insufficient available data on the use of MSM during pregnancy or lactation.
Precautions/Warnings:
● Use cautiously in individuals with gastrointestinal, circulation or nervous system disorders
● Avoid in individuals with known allergy or hypersensitivity to MSM
● Use cautiously in pregnancy, lactation and children due to lack of safety data
● Note: Studies on the long-term effects of MSM are lacking
Common side effects: bloating, constipation, decline in concentration, fatigue, headache, indigestion, and insomnia.
Stop your medication and contact your doctor if the following occur:
● Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
● Chest pain
● Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin
These symptoms may be indicative of an allergic reaction.
References:
1. Methylsulfonylmethane. Micromedex Healthcare Series. DRUGDEX System. Greenwood Village, CO: Truven Health Analytics, 2013. http://www.thomsonhc.com/
2. MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) Natural Standard Professional Monograph, Copyright © 2013 (www.naturalstandard.com). Accessed March 1st, 2014.
3. Lexicomp Online, Methylsulfonylmethane (Natural Products Database), Hudson, Ohio: Lexi-Comp, Inc.; 2013. Accessed March 1st, 2014.
MSM is a natural sulfur compound found in many vegetables, fruits, grains, milk, meat, fish and other living organisms, including humans. It is destroyed by food processing such as heating, storage, and dehydration. Sulfur is thought to help the body maintain normal connective tissues. It has been proposed to help with many conditions (such as allergies, boosting the immune system, gastrointestinal upset, etc.), including osteoarthritis where it may show benefit in reducing pain and inflammation.
Other names for MSM include: Methylsulfonylmethane and DMSO2.
Before Using:
Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you:
● are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (including prescription, over the counter, supplements or natural health products)
● are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine
● are breastfeeding
● have a history of depression, breast cancer, have pheochromocytoma, or ulcers
● have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure, renal or hepatic disease
Dosage:
● Talk with your caregiver about how much MSM you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking MSM.
● With natural products it is often not clear what the optimal doses are to balance efficacy and safety. Preparation of products may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and from batch to batch within one manufacturer due to lack of standardization
In adults:
MSM is commonly given as 1500 mg to 6g a day in two to three divided doses for arthritis and joint conditions.
Pediatrics: Insufficient available evidence in children under 18.
Pregnancy and lactation: Insufficient available data on the use of MSM during pregnancy or lactation.
Precautions/Warnings:
● Use cautiously in individuals with gastrointestinal, circulation or nervous system disorders
● Avoid in individuals with known allergy or hypersensitivity to MSM
● Use cautiously in pregnancy, lactation and children due to lack of safety data
● Note: Studies on the long-term effects of MSM are lacking
Common side effects: bloating, constipation, decline in concentration, fatigue, headache, indigestion, and insomnia.
Stop your medication and contact your doctor if the following occur:
● Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
● Chest pain
● Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin
These symptoms may be indicative of an allergic reaction.
References:
1. Methylsulfonylmethane. Micromedex Healthcare Series. DRUGDEX System. Greenwood Village, CO: Truven Health Analytics, 2013. http://www.thomsonhc.com/
2. MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) Natural Standard Professional Monograph, Copyright © 2013 (www.naturalstandard.com). Accessed March 1st, 2014.
3. Lexicomp Online, Methylsulfonylmethane (Natural Products Database), Hudson, Ohio: Lexi-Comp, Inc.; 2013. Accessed March 1st, 2014.