Osmotic Diuretics

Pharmacology 11,745 Views

Mannitol is the most commonly used osmotic diuretic.

It is given I/V and not orally as it might produce diarrhea. To be osmotically active it must have some properties:

Freely filtered from glomerulus
Should not be reabsorbed
Pharmacologically inert

Mannitol acts by physical property. It increases osmotic pressure and does not interfere with chemical processes.

Mechanism of Action

Act throughout nephron, PCT mostly and thin descending limb.
Reaches the site of action by tubular secretion
Within the nephron increase osmolarity. Net movement of water out is impeded.
First increase osmolarity of vascular compartment, extracting water out from other compartments. Blood volume increases, while viscosity decreases. This increases renal blood flow, with greater washout of NaCl and urea. The hypertonicity of interstitium is decreased.

More water is excreted. Ions are still excreted but is very handy when greater water diuresis is required.

Indications

Raised Intracranial Pressure

It is common after head injury, brain tumors and in meningitis. To reduce the pressure, mannitol can be given I/V in the form of infusion. Initially it increases the osmolarity of vascular compartment, extracting out water from CSF.

Raised Intraocular Pressure

In glaucoma, to stabilize the patient before operation (angle closure glaucoma).

Increase Urine Volume

In acute tubular necrosis, secondary to pigment overload or muscle breakdown, hemoglobinurea or myoglobinurea, tubular casts can physically block the nephrons which become edematous. To flush out, osmotic diuretics are used. (produce pressure diuresis and reduce edema).

Dialysis disequilibrium syndrome

In peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis, more solutes are lost decreasing the osmolarity and water from vascular compartment moves into intracellular spaces. Mannitol is used with diuretics to regain the balance.