Shortage of injectable mannitol

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists reports a shortage of injectable mannitol. Various concentrations of this drug are injected whenever there is an accumulation of fluid somewhere in the body that needs to be removed. If there is any doubt about the kidneys ability to produce urine, a small dose of mannitol is given as a test. During heart surgery or after some other bodily trauma, mannitol may be given to prevent the kidneys from shutting down. If all other methods have failed, mannitol may be used to lower intraocular pressure by decreasing the amount of fluid in the eyeball. Fluid pressure on the brain can also be decreased with mannitol, which decreases the size of the brain as water is removed. Mannitol is also used if fluid has accumulated throughout the body for various reasons.