Mannitol

Intravenous
Cerebral oedema, Reduction of raised intracranial pressure, Reduction of raised intraocular pressure

Intravenous
Oliguric phase of renal failure

Intravenous
Renal function testing

Irrigation
Transurethral prostatic resection

Pulmonary congestion or oedema; intracranial bleeding; CHF; metabolic oedema with abnormal capillary fragility; anuria due to severe renal disease; severe dehydration.

Hypervolaemia; urinary tract obstruction; check for signs of fluid and electrolyte imbalance. Should not be administered with whole blood. Pregnancy, lactation.

Fluid and electrolyte imbalance; acidosis (with high doses). Nausea, vomiting, thirst; headache, dizziness, convulsions, chills, fever; tachycardia, chest pain; blurred vision; urticaria and hypotension or hypertension; acute renal failure; skin necrosis; thrombophloebitis.

Inhalation/Respiratory/Irrigation/IV/Parenteral: C

Increased nephrotoxicity with ciclosporin.

Description:
Mechanism of Action: Mannitol increases urinary output by inhibiting tubular reabsorption of water and electrolytes. It raises the osmotic pressure of the plasma allowing water to be drawn out of body tissues.
Onset: Diuresis: 1-3 hr. Reduction in intracerebral pressure: around 15 min.
Duration: Reduction in intracerebral pressure: 1.5-6 hr.
Pharmacokinetics:
Absorption: Small amounts are absorbed from the GI tract.
Distribution: Concentrated in extracellular compartments. It does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier nor the eye.
Metabolism: Minimal hepatic metabolism, converted to glycogen.
Excretion: Urine via the kidneys (unchanged drug).

Store at 20-25°C

Diuretics