Active Ingredients

Mannitol – Effect, Application & Risks

Mannitol

Mannitol is a drug that belongs to the class of diuretics . Mannitol is the most commonly used osmodiuretic for the prophylactic treatment of renal failure .

What is mannitol?

Mannitol, also known as mannitol , is a sugar alcohol (non-cyclic polyols) chemically and structurally derived from mannose. The mannoses are pairs of diastereoisomers of a molecule of glucose . The name of the sugar alcohol mannitol comes from the sweet sap of the manna ash tree. The dried sap of the manna ash contains about 13 percent mannitol.

The occurrence of mannitol in nature is relatively common compared to other drugs of this class. For example, mannitol is found in the olive tree family, brown root family, mushrooms and lichens. The highest proportion of mannitol was found in seaweed, larch, olive and fig trees. There, the mannitol content can be up to 20 percent, with the brown algae having a content of up to 40 percent. The mannitol is the product of the hydrogenation of fructose (fruit sugar).

Pharmacological action

Mannitol is used in the food industry as a sweetener, which is identified as additive E421 . It has a sweetening power of up to 69 percent. In addition to being used in the food industry, mannitol is also used as a medicinal product in the pharmaceutical industry. It belongs to the drug class of diuretics and has a solid state of aggregation.

As an osmodiuretic, mannitol has the advantage that it cannot be converted into an intermediate product by chemical processes in the body (through metabolism ). The mannitol enters the bloodstream as a foreign body and can thus decompose and break down substances native to the organism through dissimilation . It is therefore filtered glomerularly (by the kidney corpuscles ) and not resorbed tubularly ( urinary tract ). As a result, the active ingredient has a diuretic and laxative function.

The active substance should therefore not be prescribed if there is a urinary excretion disorder or cardiac decompensation (reduced cardiac output). Mannitol therapy should also be avoided in the event of a disruption of the blood-brain barrier , intracranial bleeding or pulmonary edema , and an alternative should be considered if necessary.

Medical Application & Use

In medicine, mannitol is used in the form of tablets, solutions (oral), infusion or inhalation. The most common use is to prevent acute kidney failure due to blood or fluid loss (dehydration) after injuries such as burns , shock or surgery. It also reduces eye and brain pressure . In the event of poisoning , mannitol supports purification and thus the elimination of the harmful substance.

In addition to prophylactic and acute use, mannitol can be administered orally in the form of a solution as a contrast medium , for example in imaging studies of the gastrointestinal tract .

Scientific studies show that mannitol can also be helpful for cystic fibrosis and COPD diseases. The active ingredient liquefies the mucus deposits in the bronchi and enables the secretion to be transported away by positively changing the viscosity (thickness).

Risks & side effects

Various side effects can occur during the use of mannitol . These vary depending on the form of administration. When taking tablets, it should always be borne in mind that the active ingredient affects the mineral and fluid balance . This can result in dehydration, acute renal failure, tachycardia , or cardiac arrhythmia . Cardiovascular problems and even complete cardiovascular failure can also occur.

Gastrointestinal complaints in the form of nausea , vomiting or upper abdominal pain often occur . It can lead to severe loss of salt and the resulting cramps . If mannitol is administered by IV, acute fluid overload can occur. It could also lead to cardiovascular failure.

If the active substance is ingested by inhalation, side effects such as coughing , coughing up blood , headaches , chest discomfort or vomiting often occur . Throat and larynx pain can also occur.

Rarely, there is a hypersensitivity reaction up to an anaphylactic shock , confusional states , acute kidney failure, fungal infections in the mouth , infections with ]]staphylococci]] bacteria, dizziness , asthma , earaches , pneumonia , acne , itching and urinary incontinence . The active substance should always be taken on the instructions of a specialist doctor and continuously monitored by laboratory values.

Lisa Newlon
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Hello! I am Lisa Newlon, and I am a medical writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry. I have a Master’s degree in Medicine, and my deep understanding of medical terminology, practices, and procedures has made me a trusted source of information in the medical world.