Does mannitol lower blood pressure?
Disease description:
Recently, my mom's blood pressure has been a bit high, so the doctor prescribed her some mannitol. Can this medication effectively lower blood pressure?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Feng
In general, mannitol can help lower blood pressure. Mannitol is a type of polyol that is primarily metabolized by the kidneys. After intravenous administration, it increases plasma osmotic pressure, causing water from tissues—including the brain, kidneys, and eyes—to shift into the bloodstream. This increases the concentration of plasma components, elevates plasma osmotic pressure, reduces blood volume and blood pressure, and also lowers intracranial pressure, intraocular pressure, and cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Patients are advised to follow medical instructions when using this medication to avoid adverse reactions caused by inappropriate or blind use.
