If you are allergic to sulfur drugs, is it ok to take MSM?
I know someone who was thinking about taking MSM to help with arthritis in their hands, but they are allergic to sulfur drugs.

Will MSM help with arthritis in their hands?

Is it ok to take MSM if you're allergic to sulfur drugs?

Do you mean "sulfa" drugs? The answer would be No. Not the same as sulfur, even though sulfer is the base element. Sulfer can be found in a wide range of foods, hard to avoid. Here is an excellent article of the difference between sulfur, sulfite, sulfa, sulfate, ... https://allergies.about.com/od/medica...a/sulfahub.htm

He would probably not be allergic to the sulfur itself(that would be wicked), but might be allergic to MSM. Being allergic to the sulfa drugs, would not be the same as other compounds in the drugs are causing this. As far as its use with arthritis, many people are pleased. But also there is a lot of hype surrounding MSM. MSM is synthesized from heating DMSO to oxidize it. DMSO is also popular especially with livestock. If MSM doesn't work for him, try to rub some DMSO on the area, after cleaning it.

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- Jim

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving." - Albert Einstein

As usual, I agree with JFH. MSM is a completely different entity from sulfa drugs. 2 essential amino acids: cysteine and methionine contain sulfur.