carbohydrate derivative Other Oral & topical

Mannitol

A sugar alcohol used as a low-calorie sweetener, pharmaceutical excipient, and diagnostic agent due to its osmotic properties and cooling taste.

Sci.D-mannitol d-mannitol manitol mannitol mannitol powder starch mannitol synthetic mannitol
4 forms
Oral & topical

About Mannitol

Mannitol is a sugar alcohol (polyol) derived from fructose reduction, naturally found in some plants and fungi. It is chemically classified as a hexitol and is an isomer of sorbitol. Industrially, it is produced by hydrogenation of fructose/glucose mixtures from starch. Its primary functional properties include low hygroscopicity, a cooling taste effect, and osmotic activity. It is widely used as a pharmaceutical excipient (bulking agent, tablet diluent), a low-calorie sweetener in food, a diagnostic agent in medicine (renal function testing, reducing intracranial pressure), and in various industrial applications.

Official resources

Fact sheets from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements related to this ingredient group.

Dietary Supplement Label Database

Ingredient group data in NutriNav is aligned with the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD).

DSLD group id
1364

At a glance

Approval status

GRAS as a direct food additive; approved pharmaceutical excipient.

Compare All Forms

4 forms

Compare supplement forms of Mannitol by absorption quality and what your body actually gets from each:

High Moderate Low
Form Absorption Steps to absorb Notes Action
Mannitol

Low-calorie sweetener & excipient. May cause digestive disco...

  • UNII: 3OWL53L36A
  • CAS: 69-65-8
  • Label category: Synthetic
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Mannitol (Crystalline)

Sugar alcohol; low-calorie sweetener; osmotic agent; humecta...

  • UNII: 3OWL53L36A
  • CAS: 69-65-8
  • Label category: hybrid
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Mannitol Injection

Sterile solution for IV infusion. Monitor fluid/electrolyte...

  • UNII: 3OWL53L36A
  • CAS: 69-65-8
  • Label category: synthetic
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Mannitol with Sorbitol

Common excipient; used as filler, sweetener, humectant

  • CAS: 69-65-8 (Mannitol); 50-70-4 (Sorbitol); combination typically not assigned a unique CAS
  • Label category: synthetic
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Also appears on labels as

Additional names seen on supplement labels for forms of this ingredient (beyond the main aliases above).

1,2,3,4,5,6-Hexanehexol, Aridol, E421, E421 with E420, Manna sugar, Mannite, Mannitol-Sorbitol mixture, Osmitrol, Polyol blend, Sugar alcohol combination

Type: Other

Miscellaneous ingredients including fillers, binders, preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and other additives found in supplements.

Absorption: Many of these ingredients are inert fillers or additives that may affect absorption of active ingredients.

Interactions: Some additives may have health concerns. Fillers may reduce absorption of other nutrients. Preservatives and artificial colors may cause adverse reactions in sensitive individuals.

Watch out for

Possible interactions or cautions — talk to a healthcare provider if unsure.

  • May reduce efficacy of diuretics acting on the same nephron segment when used medically.
  • Concomitant use with other osmotic agents may potentiate electrolyte imbalances.
  • Oral consumption may reduce absorption of some orally administered drugs due to accelerated gastrointestinal transit.

Potential Benefits

Benefits associated with Mannitol forms:

Low-Calorie Sweetening Pharmaceutical Excipient Osmotic Diuresis / Laxative Effect Humectant / Texture Modifier Bulking & Texturizing Agent Osmotic Diuresis

And 8 more benefits...

Potential Side Effects

Side effects associated with Mannitol forms:

Diarrhea How serious: Mild Allergic Reaction (rare) How serious: Moderate Gastrointestinal Distress How serious: low Electrolyte Imbalance How serious: medium Fluid and Electrolyte Imbalance How serious: medium Pulmonary Edema / Congestive Heart Failure How serious: high

And 3 more side effects...

What does the research say?

Extensive pharmaceutical and food science literature exists for mannitol and sorbitol individually. As a combination, they are widely recognized as safe (GRAS) excipients. Evidence supports roles as non-cariogenic sweeteners, osmotic diuretics (mannitol), humectants, and tablet diluents. Clinical trials primarily focus on mannitol's medicinal uses (e.g., reducing intracranial pressure, bronchial challenge testing). The combination is commonly referenced in pharmacopeial standards (USP/EP) as an inactive ingredient.