Mannitol is a diuretic used in the hospital to increase the amount of urine and can be used to prevent renal failure in the event of surgery or to reduce intracranial pressure.
Mannitol can not be bought in conventional pharmacies and can only be used by healthcare professionals in hospitals.
Indications of mannitol
Mannitol is indicated for increasing the amount of urine, preventing kidney failure during vascular or post-trauma surgery, reducing intracranial pressure, treating swelling of the brain, reducing intraocular pressure, treating glaucoma attack, eliminating toxic urine or relieve any swelling caused by problems in the heart or kidneys.
How to use mannitol
Mannitol may only be used by healthcare professionals in the hospital after an appointment with the cardiologist, neurologist or nephrologist, and can not be used at home by the patient.
Mannitol side effects
The major side effects of mannitol arise especially when the drug is not given properly and include dehydration, congestive heart failure, swelling of the lungs, or sudden lowering of blood pressure, for example.
Contraindications of mannitol
Mannitol is contraindicated in patients with severe renal disease, progressive heart failure, pulmonary congestion, severe dehydration, intracranial haemorrhage, progressive kidney damage or with hypersensitivity to mannitol.
