Mannitol
Trade names: Osmitrol
Class: Osmotic diuretics Pregnancy:
(Category C) Action:
• Increase the osmolarity of the glomerular filtrate which decrease the reabsorption of water while
increasing the excretion of sodium and chloride.
Uses:
• Acute rend failure
• Cerebral edema
• To decrease intracranial
pressure
• Glaucoma
Dose:
Cerebral edema 1 g/kg IV infusion followed by 0.25 g/kg every
6 hours for 24 hours
Contraindications:
• Anemia
• Dehydration
• pulmonary edema
• “
Progressive heart failure or pulmonary congestion after mannitol therapy”.
Side effects:
• Hypernatremia , electrolyte imbalance, acidosis
•
Dehydration, dry mouth ,
thirst, edema, hypotension & hypertension , blurring of vision , headache ,
dizziness. Nursing
considerations:
• Mannitol should not be added to other I.V. solutions nor should
it be mixed with other medications .
• If blood is to be administered at the sometime , add 20 mEq of
sodium chloride to each liter of mannitol to prevent pseudo agglutination.
• Monitor & record vital signs .
• Observe for signs of electrolyte imbalance or dehydration.
• Observe for signs, & symptoms of pulmonary edema (dyspnea,
cyanosis, frothy sputum).
• “ Slow the rate & notify the physician”.
