1. When is mannitol contraindicated?

You should not use mannitol in the following conditions: Heart-related problems or heart failure Kidney problem Kidney failure Pregnancy or trying to get pregnant Breastfeeding Fluid in the lungs Allergy to mannitol Bleeding in the brain (not due to surgery) Dehydration

Mannitol injection: uses, side effects and precautions

Yashoda Hospitals > Medicine FAQS > Mannitol injection

Mannitol injection: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is a Mannitol injection?

Mannitol is a diuretic substance that increases the production of urine. It helps during the treatment of kidney disorders. Mannitol is injected to remove excess water and toxins from the body through urine. Sometimes, a mannitol injection is given so that your body produces sufficient urine that can be collected and tested. This is performed to check whether the kidneys are functioning properly.

Mannitol injection is also available in the name of Osmitrol.

What are the uses of a mannitol injection?

Diuretic
Reduces pressure and swelling inside the eyes and around the brain
Helps the body in more urine production
Removes toxins from the body during kidney failure
Removes excess water
Used in urine collection for testing
Helps in testing kidney functions

Mannitol is used to treat kidney failure and check the normal functioning of the kidney to collect urine for testing. It is used to reduce the swelling and pressure developed inside the eye and brain while performing surgery or during kidney failure.

What are the side effects of mannitol injection?

Mannitol can cause some mild side effects such as:

Nausea

Vomiting

Mild chest pain

Increased urination

Headache

Rashes

Dizziness

You should consult your doctor if you experience the following medical conditions:

Heart-related problems

Kidney problem

Pregnancy or trying to get pregnant

Breastfeeding

Fluid in the lungs

Allergy to mannitol (or dye, a preservative used in the injection)

Bleeding in the brain

Dehydration

Consult your doctor immediately if you experience an allergic reaction to a mannitol injection and develop severe symptoms such as breathing difficulty, swelling of lips, hands or lower legs, less or no urine or chest pain.

Frequently Asked Questions about Mannitol injection

You should not use mannitol in the following conditions:

Heart-related problems or heart failure
Kidney problem
Kidney failure
Pregnancy or trying to get pregnant
Breastfeeding
Fluid in the lungs
Allergy to mannitol
Bleeding in the brain (not due to surgery)
Dehydration

Generally, mannitol does not affect blood pressure levels. Mannitol has to be injected by a trained nurse or a doctor. It can reduce blood pressure levels in case of an overdose or if it is injected rapidly.

Mannitol has to be taken based on the prescription given by your doctor. The dosage and duration will vary based on your health condition. Generally, mannitol is given once every 4 hours. It should not be given for more than 8 days.

Mannitol does not cause any adverse reactions. However, consult your doctor immediately if you are allergic to mannitol and develop severe symptoms such as breathing difficulty, swelling of lips, hands or lower legs, less or no urine or chest pain.

Mannitol is administered before performing any surgery or a urology procedure. Mannitol has to be given very slowly to stay in the blood for a minimum of 30 minutes. Rapid release tends to affect blood pressure and can result in cardiac arrest.

Yes, mannitol is a diuretic given to increase urine output. It is generally given to evaluate the functioning of the kidney.

Mannitol does not cause fever. But the side effects may include dryness of the mouth, thirst, more urination, dizziness, headache, rashes or chest pain.

The brain can swell because of illness, injury or other reasons, which is very difficult to treat. Mannitol reduces the thickness of the blood so that it reaches the brain faster. This helps in reducing the swelling of the brain and preparing for surgery.

Using isotonic mannitol can result in hyponatremia (low sodium concentration in the blood) or hypernatremia (high sodium concentration in the blood) because of water loss from the body cells and swelling.

Heart-related problems

Kidney problems

Pregnancy or trying to get pregnant

Breastfeeding

Fluid in the lungs

Allergic to mannitol (or dye, a preservative used in the injection)

Bleeding in the brain

Dehydration

Book an appointment and get a second opinion from the best doctors at Yashoda Hospitals.