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Mannitol

Meaning

Mannitol is a polyol, or sugar alcohol, classified pharmacologically as an osmotic diuretic agent that is poorly metabolized by the body. Clinically, it is primarily used in intravenous formulations to rapidly reduce intracranial pressure and treat cerebral edema by drawing fluid out of brain tissue. In the pharmaceutical context, it also serves as an excipient, acting as a diluent or binder in various oral solid dosage forms, including hormone preparations.