Checking Mannitol/Sorbitol Availability: What You Need to Know

If you've been searching for Mannitol/Sorbitol at your local pharmacy, you've probably come up empty-handed — and that's completely normal. Unlike most medications, Mannitol/Sorbitol irrigation solution is not dispensed at retail pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, or Rite Aid. It's a hospital-use surgical product administered during transurethral and hysteroscopic procedures.

That said, there's been an ongoing shortage of Mannitol/Sorbitol and other irrigation solutions that has affected surgical scheduling at hospitals across the country. If your procedure has been delayed due to supply issues, this guide explains how to check availability and what steps you can take.

Why Mannitol/Sorbitol Is Hard to Find

Mannitol/Sorbitol irrigation is manufactured by ICU Medical and distributed in 3,000 mL bags for use in surgical settings. Several factors have made it harder to find:

• Limited manufacturers — ICU Medical is the sole U.S. manufacturer of this specific combination product, creating a fragile supply chain.
• Hurricane Helene impact — In September 2024, Hurricane Helene severely damaged Baxter's manufacturing facility in North Cove, NC, which produced roughly 60% of U.S. IV fluids. The cascading demand on remaining manufacturers like ICU Medical strained supply of all irrigation products.
• Allocation restrictions — ICU Medical has placed Mannitol/Sorbitol on allocation, meaning hospitals can only order limited quantities.

For the full story, read our detailed explainer on why Mannitol/Sorbitol is hard to find.

How to Check Availability (Without Calling Every Hospital)

Since Mannitol/Sorbitol is a hospital-sourced product, the usual pharmacy-checking tools work a bit differently. Here's how to find out if it's available for your procedure:

1. Use Medfinder

Medfinder tracks medication availability, including hospital-use products affected by shortages. You can search for Mannitol/Sorbitol to see current stock status and find facilities that may have supply available. This is one of the fastest ways to check without making phone calls.

2. Ask Your Surgeon's Office

Your surgeon's scheduling coordinator works directly with the hospital pharmacy and supply chain team. They have real-time visibility into what irrigation solutions are available at their facility. When you schedule your procedure, ask:

• "Does your facility currently have Mannitol/Sorbitol in stock?"
• "If not, what alternative irrigation solution will be used?"
• "Will the supply situation affect my surgery date?"

3. Check the ASHP Drug Shortage Database

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) maintains a public database of current drug shortages at ashp.org/drug-shortages. You can search for Sorbitol-Mannitol irrigation to see the current shortage status, estimated resolution dates, and available alternatives.

4. Contact the Hospital Pharmacy Directly

If you've already been scheduled for surgery, you can call the hospital's pharmacy department and ask about irrigation solution availability. Hospital pharmacists manage surgical supply inventories and can tell you whether Mannitol/Sorbitol is currently on hand or on allocation.

5. Check Multiple Surgical Facilities

If your primary hospital is out of stock, consider whether your surgeon operates at multiple facilities. Many urologists and gynecologists have privileges at more than one hospital or ambulatory surgery center. A different facility may have better supply.

If You Prefer to Call

When calling a hospital pharmacy or surgical scheduling office about Mannitol/Sorbitol availability, it helps to be specific:

• Use the full product name: Sorbitol-Mannitol Irrigation Solution (2.7% Sorbitol / 0.54% Mannitol)
• Mention the manufacturer: ICU Medical
• Ask about the 3,000 mL bags specifically
• Ask whether the facility is on allocation and what their current supply level is

Hospital pharmacy staff are usually very helpful once they understand what you need and why you're asking.

Once You've Confirmed Availability

Once you know a facility has Mannitol/Sorbitol in stock (or a suitable alternative), here's what to do:

1. Confirm your surgery date — Work with your surgeon's office to lock in the procedure date while supply is available.
2. Complete pre-op requirements — Get blood work, medical clearance, and any other pre-surgical testing done promptly so nothing delays the procedure.
3. Ask about the irrigation plan — Confirm which irrigation solution will be used and discuss any potential side effects specific to that solution.
4. Understand the alternatives — If Mannitol/Sorbitol isn't available, your surgeon may use Glycine 1.5%, normal saline, or another alternative. Each has its own risk profile, and your surgeon will choose the safest option for your situation.

What About Cost?

One piece of good news: as a patient, you typically don't pay separately for Mannitol/Sorbitol. The cost of irrigation solutions is bundled into your hospital or surgical facility charges. A supply of 12,000 mL (four 3,000 mL bags) costs approximately $61 at wholesale — a relatively small portion of the overall surgical cost.

Your out-of-pocket expense will depend on your insurance coverage for the surgical procedure itself. Medicare Part A covers inpatient surgeries, and Part B covers outpatient procedures. For tips on managing surgical costs, see our guide on saving money on Mannitol/Sorbitol.

Final Thoughts

Mannitol/Sorbitol isn't something you'll find on a retail pharmacy shelf — it's a surgical product managed by hospital supply chains. If your procedure requires it and you're concerned about availability during the current shortage, your best resources are your surgeon's office, the hospital pharmacy, and tools like Medfinder.

Don't let supply concerns keep you from getting the care you need. Your surgical team has experience navigating shortages and will find the right solution — literally — for your procedure.