Mannitol
Description
Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic used to remove excess water and toxins from the body in patients with kidney disease. It is also used in the treatment of cerebral edema and intraocular pressure. Frequent monitoring of electrolytes levels is necessary during treatment with this medicine.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Mannitol
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Dehydration
- Fluid and electrolyte imblance
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Reduced food intake
- Uncontrolled shaking of arms or legs
- Urinary incontinence
Uses of Mannitol
What is it prescribed for?
- Cerebral edema (Fluid accumulation in cerebral cavity)
- Oliguria (Low urine output)
- Intraocular pressure (Fluid pressure inside the eye)
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe estimated amount of time required for this medicine to show its effect is about 1 to 3 hours for diuresis, 30 to 60 minutes for lowering intraocular pressure, and 15 minutes for the reduction of intracranial pressure.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 3 to 8 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine should be used with caution in breastfeeding women. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before receiving this medicine.
Anuria
This medicine is not recommended for patients with a known history of anuria (a condition where the kidney is unable to produce urine).
Severe pulmonary edema (Fluid accumulation in lungs)
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of severe pulmonary edema.
Progressive heart failure
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known history of progressive heart failure caused by Mannitol therapy.
Intracranial bleeding (Bleeding inside the skull)
Patients with a known history of intracranial bleeding are recommended not to take this medicine.
Severe dehydration
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe dehydration.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless absolutely necessary. The risks and benefits should be discussed with the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine should be used with caution in breastfeeding women. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Volume and electrolyte depletion
Mannitol may alter the blood volume levels and electrolyte levels. This may cause dizziness, dry mouth, and acid-base imbalance. Close monitoring of blood pressure and electrolytes levels is necessary while taking this medicine. Report any symptoms such as weakness, lethargy, muscle pain, drowsiness, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, etc. to the doctor immediately.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Mannitol.
Crystallization of solutions
This medicine may crystallize when exposed to low temperatures. If crystals are visible, they can be dissolved by warming the solution in a hot water bath or a warming cabinet, followed by gentle agitation (shaking of the vial). Once crystals dissolve, allow the solution to cool to room temperature, reinspect for crystals, and use if crystals are not visible. The medicine should not be used if crystals are present. Please note that the method of warming may differ based on the manufacturer's recommendations.
Missed Dose
Since this medicine is administered in the clinical/hospital set up by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
Since this medicine is administered in the clinical/hospital set up by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, emergency medical treatment will be provided by the doctor if an overdose is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Aminoglycoside antibiotics
Salbutamol
Disease interactions
Disease
Information not available.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Mannitol will be administered by your doctor or a qualified healthcare professional. Follow all the instructions given by your doctor. Inform the doctor if you have an allergy to this medicine. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical history to the doctor. This medicine is usually given at daytime to prevent sleep disturbance. Drink an adequate amount of water. Monitoring of kidney function and electrolytes levels is necessary during treatment with this medicine. This medicine should be used with caution due to the increased risk of dizziness.
Miscelleneous
How it works
This medicine works by decreasing the reabsorption of water through the kidneys and increasing the urine output. This helps in reducing the swelling in conditions like cerebral edema.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Miscellaneous diuretics
Schedule
N/A
DailyMed - Mannitol injection, solution [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 21 July 2017]. Available from:
Mannitol - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 21 July 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 21 July 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 21 July 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 8 Jul 2019
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.