Mannitol IV (Mannitol Injection) Drug Information: Clinical Pharmacology

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May 27, 2012

Mannitol IV

Glaucoma »

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a disease of the major nerve of vision, called the optic nerve. The optic nerve receives light-generated nerve impulses from the retina and transmits these to the brain, where we recognize those electrical signals as vision. Glaucoma is characterized by a particular pattern of progressive damage to the optic nerve that generally begins with a subtle loss of side vision (peripheral vision). If glaucoma is not diagnosed and treated, it can progress to loss of central vision and blindness.

Glaucoma is usually, but not always, associated with elevated pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure). Generally, it is this elevated eye pressure that leads to damage of the eye (optic) nerve. In some cases, glaucoma may occur in the presence of normal eye pressure. This form of glaucoma is believed to be caused by poor regulation of blood flow to the optic nerve.

How common is glaucoma?

Worldwide, glaucoma...

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Mannitol IV

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CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

When administered intravenously mannitol (mannitol (mannitol injection) injection) is confined to the extracellular space, only slightly metabolized and rapidly excreted by the kidney. Approximately 80% of a 100 g dose appears in the urine in 3 hours. The drug is freely filtered by the glomeruli with less than 10% tubular reabsorption; it is not secreted by tubular cells. Mannitol (mannitol (mannitol injection) injection) induces diuresis by elevating the osmolarity of the glomerular filtrate and thereby hindering tubular reabsorption of water. Excretion of sodium and chloride is also enhanced.

Last reviewed on RxList: 9/30/2008
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.