Mannitol

D-Mannitol
Clinical data


Trade names	Osmitrol, other
AHFS/Drugs.com	Monograph
Pregnancy category	US: C (Risk not ruled out)
Routes of administration	intravenous by mouth
ATC code	A06AD16 (WHO) B05BC01 (WHO) B05CX04 (WHO) R05CB16 (WHO)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	~7%
Metabolism	Liver, negligible
Biological half-life	100 minutes
Excretion	Kidney: 90%
Identifiers
IUPAC name (2R,3R,4R,5R)-Hexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol
Synonyms	D-Mannitol, mannite, manna sugar
CAS Number	69-65-8^Y
PubChem CID	6251
DrugBank	DB00742^Y
ChemSpider	6015^Y
UNII	3OWL53L36A
KEGG	D00062^Y
ChEBI	CHEBI:16899^Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL689^Y
E number	E421 (thickeners, ...)
ECHA InfoCard	100.000.647
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C₆H₁₄O₆
Molar mass	182.172
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
SMILES O[C@H]([C@H](O)CO)[C@H](O)[C@H](O)CO
InChI InChI=1S/C6H14O6/c7-1-3(9)5(11)6(12)4(10)2-8/h3-12H,1-2H2/t3-,4-,5-,6-/m1/s1^Y Key:FBPFZTCFMRRESA-KVTDHHQDSA-N^Y

Mannitol is a type of sugar which is also used as a medication. As a sugar, it is often used as a sweetener in diabetic food, as it is poorly absorbed from the intestines. As a medication, it is used to decrease high pressures in the eyes such as are seen in glaucoma and to lower increased intracranial pressure. Medically, it is given by injection. Effects typically begin within 15 minutes and last up to 8 hours.

Common side effects from medical use include electrolyte problems and dehydration. Other serious side effects may include worsening heart failure and kidney problems. It is unclear if use is safe in pregnancy. Mannitol is in the osmotic diuretic family of medications and works by pulling fluid from the brain and eyes.

The discovery of mannitol is attributed to Joseph Louis Proust in 1806. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most effective and safe medicines needed in a health system. The wholesale cost in the developing world is about US$1.12 to 5.80 a dose. In the United States, a course of treatment costs $25 to 50. It was originally made from the flowering ash and called manna after its supposed resemblance to the Biblical food.

Mannitol is used to reduce acutely raised intracranial pressure until more definitive treatment can be applied, e.g., after head trauma.

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Wikipedia