We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are Osmotic Diuretics?

By Clara Kedrek
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 22,123
Share

Osmotic diuretics are a class of medications that cause patients to have increased urine production. These drugs work by shifting the balance of water between different parts of the body. The different osmotic diuretics include mannitol, isosorbide, urea, and glycerin. In general these medications have a less potent effect compared to some of the other types of diuretics. Although these medications are typically well tolerated, patients with certain underlying diseases should not take them.

The mechanism of action of osmotic diuretics is to alter how the kidney filters the blood and produces urine. In general, osmotic agents exert their effects because their presence increases the amount of substances dissolved in the blood. With high concentrations of osmotic agents in the body, water will flow from inside the cells and into the bloodstream in an effort to normalize the relative concentration of substances in the intracellular and extracellular spaces in the body. This results in more fluid going to the kidney to be filtered, causing increased urine production. Additionally, the presence of osmotic agents in the fluid being filtered by the kidney can result in less water being reabsorbed into the bloodstream, resulting in increased urination.

There are four different diuretics that are typically used. One of the most important is a chemical species called mannitol, which is a small molecule that is not digested and does not participate in any chemical reactions within the body. The other two commonly used agents include glycerin and isosorbide. Urea, another osmotic diuretic, is not used in the U.S. but can be prescribed in other countries around the world.

Overall, the osmotic diuretics are considered to be less potent medicines compared to some of the other classes of diuretics. They cause patients to urinate less as compared to some of the other diuretics. Therefore, while they are sometimes used solely to increase urine output, they are also used in a few other ways. For example, mannitol can be given to patients who have an increased intracranial pressure in an effort to decrease this pressure by causing some of the fluid in the brain to flow into the bloodstream.

Common side effects of diuretics can include headache, vomiting, and nausea. Prolonged use of the medication could decrease the concentration of sodium in the blood, leading to a condition called hyponatremia. When mild, this condition causes non-specific symptoms; severe hyponatremia can cause seizures, however.

Not all patients should be given osmotic diuretics. Giving osmotic diuretics increases the volume of blood circulating around the body. In patients who already have too much fluid in their bodies, for example in patients with end-stage kidney disease or congestive heart failure, the medications should not be given because they could worsen the ramifications of these underlying disease processes. Patients who do not produce urine should also not be given the medications.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By literally45 — On Sep 07, 2014

@SteamLouis-- I think that osmotic diuretics like mannitol in emergency care or intensive care for serious issues like intracranial pressure or cerebral edema. I have heard of bodybuilders using osmotic diuretics from time to time, but I don't think that these diuretics are used for long-term management of chronic conditions.

I personally only used an osmotic diuretic, or had to actually, before a colonoscopy to clean and prepare the colon. That was a long time ago though. I don't know if it's still being used for this purpose.

By burcinc — On Sep 06, 2014

@SteamLouis-- I'm not a doctor yet, I'm in med school. As far as I know, there are different types of diuretic medications. Osmotic diuretics is just one type. For example, there are also loop diuretics, potassium sparing diuretics, thiazides and others. I could be wrong about this but I don't think that osmotic diuretics are usually used for high blood pressure. I think that thiazides or loop diuretics are often preferred. Potassium sparing diuretics may be used as well. Thiazides are most prescribed diuretics for high blood pressure.

Since different diuretics work differently to increase urine output, their effects also vary. That's why some are preferred over others for certain conditions.

By SteamLouis — On Sep 06, 2014

Are osmotic diuretic used in the treatment of high blood pressure? Are they effective for this? Does anyone here use an osmotic diuretic? What are you using it for?

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-osmotic-diuretics.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.