mannitol injection

What is the most important information I should know about mannitol?

What is mannitol?

Mannitol is a diuretic that is used to reduce swelling and pressure inside the eye or around the brain.

Mannitol is also used to help your body produce more urine. This medicine is used in people with kidney failure, to remove excess water and toxins from the body.

Mannitol is sometimes given so that your body will produce enough urine to be collected and tested. This helps your doctor determine if your kidneys are working properly.

Mannitol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before receiving mannitol?

• severe or long-term kidney disease;
• swelling or congestion in your lungs;
• severe heart failure;
• bleeding in your brain that is not related to surgery;
• severe dehydration; or
• if your kidneys have already shut down and you are unable to urinate.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;
• heart disease; or
• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium or sodium in your blood).

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

How is mannitol given?

Mannitol is given as an infusion into a vein. A healthcare provider will give you this injection.

Mannitol must be given slowly, and you may receive the medication around the clock.

Tell your caregivers if you feel any burning, pain, or swelling around the IV needle when mannitol is injected.

This medicine may affect certain medical tests and you may have false results. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using mannitol.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Because you will receive mannitol in a clinical setting, you are not likely to miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include confusion, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, sweating, chest pain, severe shortness of breath, and fainting.

What should I avoid after receiving mannitol?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of mannitol?

• swelling in your hands or lower legs, rapid weight gain;
• little or no urination;
• shortness of breath (even while lying down);
• wheezing, gasping for breath, cough with foamy mucus;
• chest pain, fast heartbeats;
• headache, or feeling like you might pass out;
• a seizure;
• painful or difficult urination;
• pain, bruising, irritation, or skin changes where the injection was given;
• dehydration symptoms --feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dry skin; or
• signs of an electrolyte imbalance --increased thirst or urination, confusion, vomiting, constipation, muscle pain or weakness, leg cramps, bone pain, lack of energy, irregular heartbeats, tingly feeling.

Common side effects may include:

• increased urination;
• nausea, vomiting;
• fever, chills, headache, runny nose;
• chest pain;
• rash; or
• dizziness, blurred vision.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect mannitol?

Mannitol can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, bowel disorders, high blood pressure, or pain or arthritis (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve).

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially a diuretic or "water pill."

Other drugs may affect mannitol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about mannitol.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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