Bronchitol Side Effects

Generic name: mannitol

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 1, 2024.

Note: This document contains side effect information about mannitol. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Bronchitol.

Applies to mannitol: inhalation capsule. Other dosage forms:

• intravenous solution

Serious side effects of Bronchitol

Along with its needed effects, mannitol (the active ingredient contained in Bronchitol) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking mannitol:

More common

• Cough
• coughing or spitting up blood
• sore throat

Less common

• Chest discomfort or tightness
• dry heaves
• fever
• runny nose
• trouble breathing
• vomiting

Incidence not known

• Gagging

Other side effects of Bronchitol

Some side effects of mannitol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Headache

Less common

• Difficulty in moving
• dizziness
• muscle pain or stiffness
• nausea
• pain in the joints

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to mannitol: compounding powder, inhalation capsule, inhalation kit, intravenous solution, irrigation solution.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects have included hypotension and tachycardia. Venous thrombosis or phlebitis extending from the injection site and hypervolemia have occurred rarely and are generally associated with the solution or technique used in administration.^[Ref]

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included pulmonary congestion and rhinitis. Respiratory side effects associated with mannitol (the active ingredient contained in Bronchitol) inhalation have included cough, gagging, wheeze, and decreased forced expiratory volume.^[Ref]

Metabolic

Metabolic side effects have included fluid and electrolyte imbalance, acidosis, and electrolyte loss.^[Ref]

Nervous system

Nervous system side effects have included headache, convulsions, and dizziness.^[Ref]

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects have included thrombophlebitis.^[Ref]

Other

Eight cases of mannitol (the active ingredient contained in Bronchitol) IV overdose in patients with preexisting renal failure were reviewed. Symptoms presented in the reviewed cases were CNS involvement out of proportion to uremia, severe hyponatremia, large osmolality gap, and fluid overload. Six patients were treated with hemodialysis, one patient with peritoneal dialysis, and one patient died before initiation of treatment. All patients received large doses over 1 to 3 days with a mean dose of 310 +/- 182.8 g. CNS involvement consisted of CNS depression, confusion, lethargy, stupor, and coma. Two patients recovered cerebral function and continued on lifetime dialysis, 3 patients recovered renal and cerebral function, and 1 patient recovered renal function but had severe cerebral dysfunction.^[Ref]

Other side effects have included dryness of mouth, thirst, edema, arm pain, chills, dehydration, fever, mannitol intoxication, and angina-like pain.^[Ref]

Renal

Renal side effects have included acute renal failure.^[Ref]

Local

Local side effects have included extravasation. This effect is generally attributed to the solution or technique used in administration.^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Dermatologic side effects have included urticaria and skin necrosis.^[Ref]

Ocular

Ocular side effects have included blurred vision.^[Ref]

Immunologic

Immunologic side effects have included infection at the injection site and febrile response. These effects are usually attributed to solution or technique used in administration.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea and vomiting.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects have included marked diuresis and urinary retention.^[Ref]

Psychiatric

A 75-year-old woman with severe major depression experienced a manic episode 30 minutes after initiation of a 20% mannitol (the active ingredient contained in Bronchitol) intravenous infusion for the treatment of acute angle closure glaucoma. The patient had been started on nortriptyline 50 mg per day for the treatment of depression ten days earlier. She received oral acetazolamide, topical pilocarpine, topical timolol, and topical dexamethasone concomitantly for the treatment of glaucoma. The mania resolved within approximately 1 hour following discontinuation of the mannitol infusion, and the patient returned to a severe depressive state. An extensive lab evaluation, toxicology screening, and medical examination failed to show additional secondary causes for mania in this patient.^[Ref]

Psychiatric side effects have rarely included mania (1 case report).^[Ref]

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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