Mannitol has been in shortage since 2023. Learn why Mannitol is so hard to find in 2026, what's causing the shortage, and what you can do about it.
Mannitol is a critical hospital medication used to treat life-threatening conditions like brain swelling and dangerously high eye pressure. But for the past several years, patients, caregivers, and healthcare facilities across the country have been dealing with one frustrating reality: Mannitol is in shortage, and it's not easy to find.
If you've been told your hospital is rationing Mannitol, or that your facility can't get enough supply, this article will explain exactly what's going on and what you can do about it.
Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic — a type of medication that works by pulling excess fluid out of swollen tissues and into the bloodstream, where the kidneys can flush it out through urine. It's been used in medicine since 1964.
Doctors most commonly use Mannitol to:
There's also an inhaled form called Bronchitol, used to help people with cystic fibrosis clear mucus from their lungs.
Mannitol is given by IV infusion in a hospital or clinical setting — it's not something you pick up at a retail pharmacy. That's an important detail, because the shortage affects hospitals and healthcare facilities directly.
The Mannitol shortage has been ongoing, and there are several reasons it continues to affect hospitals and patients in 2026.
Only a handful of companies make IV Mannitol in the United States. ICU Medical is the primary supplier of Mannitol 20% premixed IV bags (250 mL and 500 mL), and they've had their supply on allocation — meaning hospitals can only order limited quantities. When one manufacturer has production issues, there aren't many alternatives to pick up the slack.
The Mannitol shortage is part of a larger crisis affecting IV fluids across the board. Manufacturing IV solutions requires specialized sterile facilities, and the supply chain has been strained by increased demand, raw material shortages, and production disruptions that have persisted since 2023.
Mannitol is a staple in emergency rooms, ICUs, neurosurgery units, and trauma centers. As the population ages and more patients need critical care services, demand for Mannitol has climbed while supply has stayed flat or declined.
Producing sterile IV solutions like Mannitol isn't quick or simple. These products require specialized equipment, sterile manufacturing environments, and rigorous quality control. Ramping up production takes months or even years, so shortages tend to drag on much longer than patients expect.
Because Mannitol is primarily a hospital-administered medication, your options look a little different than they would for a retail pharmacy drug. Here's what you can do:
Medfinder tracks real-time medication availability, including hospital and specialty medications like Mannitol. If your facility is having trouble sourcing supply, Medfinder can help identify where Mannitol is currently in stock.
If you're a patient or caregiver, your doctors and pharmacists are your best advocates. They can:
For reducing intracranial pressure, Hypertonic Saline (3% or 23.4%) has become a widely accepted alternative. Some studies suggest it works as well as or better than Mannitol for certain patients. Other options include Furosemide (Lasix) and Acetazolamide (Diamox) depending on your specific condition. Read more in our guide to Mannitol alternatives.
The ASHP (American Society of Health-System Pharmacists) maintains an up-to-date drug shortage list that tracks Mannitol supply. Your hospital pharmacy team monitors these updates regularly, but you can check the latest Mannitol shortage update for a patient-friendly summary.
If you use Bronchitol for cystic fibrosis, the situation is somewhat different. Bronchitol is a specialty medication dispensed through specialty pharmacies, and its availability depends on the manufacturer Chiesi/Pharmaxis. While it's not affected by the same IV fluid shortage, it can still be expensive — around $3,826 for a 28-day supply without insurance.
If you're having trouble affording or finding Bronchitol, ask your doctor about the Chiesi CareConnect patient support program, which may help with costs.
The Mannitol shortage is a real and ongoing problem in 2026. It's driven by manufacturing limitations, supply chain issues, and growing demand in critical care settings. While it can be frightening to hear that a medication you or a loved one needs is in short supply, there are steps you can take.
Use Medfinder to check availability, talk to your healthcare team about alternatives, and stay informed about the latest shortage updates. The more you know, the better prepared you'll be.
For more information, check out our other guides:
You focus on staying healthy. We'll handle the rest.
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