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Mannitol

D-Mannitol
Mannitol structure.png
D-Mannitol 3d space fill.png
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
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability ~7%
Metabolism Liver, negligible
Biological half-life 100 minutes
Excretion Kidney: 90%
Identifiers
Synonyms D-Mannitol, mannite, manna sugar
CAS Number
PubChem CID
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
E number E421 (thickeners, ...)
ECHA InfoCard 100.000.647
Chemical and physical data
Formula C6H14O6
Molar mass 182.172
3D model (Jmol)
  

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 It was originally made from the flowering ash and called manna after its supposed resemblance to the Biblical food.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

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