Mannitol (Osmitrol) Nursing Considerations

Hey guys, let’s talk about, manitol also known as OSL. This is an injectable medication, as you can see here. So remember the therapeutic class of a drug is how the drug works in the body and for manitol, this is a diuretic. The pharmacologic class is the chemical effect of the drug, which is an osmotic diuretic. So manitol works by inhibiting reabsorption of water and electrolytes in the nephron by decreasing osmotic pressure excreted by the kidneys we use manitol for increased intracranial pressure for oligo renal failure for edema and for intraocular pressure. So some of the side effects we see with manitol are dehydration through its action as a diuretic fluid and electrolyte balance in is for that same reason and also phlebitis at the IV site. 

So with manitol neuro status should be assessed and monitored. Also manitol may cause anaphylaxis. So teach the signs of hypersensitivity or anaphylaxis to your, and also when administering manitol know that it must be administered by a filter and concentrations that are greater than 20%. So guys, it is super important to visually inspect manitol before giving it to your patient because crystallization can, can occur in the bottle. And I have personally seen this on more than one occasion. So yes, it does happen also guys, if ex extra occurs, it can cause skin necrosis. So keep that in mind when administering to your patient, that’s it for manitol or O out I’ll go out and be your best self today. And as always happy nursing, all.