Mannitol

Introduction

Written by Dena Westphalen, PharmD
Medically reviewed by Christina Bookwalter PharmD, MS MEd, BCPS, BCACP
Updated on January 12, 2024

Mannitol (MAN i tole) solution for injection is a generic medication that’s given to reduce pressure around the brain and in the eyes. The brand-name version of this drug is Osmitrol. This form of mannitol is injected into your vein by a doctor or under the direct supervision of a doctor in a hospital.

Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved mannitol injection to:

• reduce high pressure inside the head and treat brain swelling
• reduce high eye pressure

Read on to learn about mannitol and cost. If you’d like more information about mannitol, including its uses, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. 

Cost of mannitol

Like other medications, the cost of mannitol can vary. Certain factors may affect its price, such as:

• your medical insurance plan, if you have coverage
• the cost to visit a healthcare professional to receive an injection of mannitol

To find out how much mannitol costs, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Coupons for mannitol

Prescription drug coupons can help you save money by lowering the cost of drugs. The Optum Perks coupons above can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.

However, coupons aren’t available for medications like the injection form of mannitol that are only given by a healthcare professional in a hospital or clinic.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with any insurance copays or benefits.

Available app for coupons

To make finding and using these coupons easier, you can download the Optum Perks app. To learn more about this prescription discount app, see this article.

Insurance and other considerations for mannitol

Even if you have a health insurance plan with prescription drug coverage, the price of mannitol may instead be billed through your medical coverage. This is because a doctor or another healthcare professional gives injections of mannitol. The cost of your doses will depend on your specific medical coverage and whether you receive the doses at your doctor’s clinic or at a hospital.

If you have questions about this process, ask your doctor or your insurance provider.

Generics vs. brand-names

Mannitol is a generic medication. Its brand-name versions are shown in the following table:

A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.) Generics usually cost less than brand-name drugs. And they’re thought to be as safe and effective as the brand-name version.

If your doctor has prescribed a mannitol injection but you’re interested in receiving Osmitrol, let them know. They may have a reason to prescribe one medication over the other. Also, check which forms of the drug your insurance plan covers, as it may not cover all forms.

To learn how the cost of mannitol compares with its brand-name version, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. You could also contact your insurance company. 

Common questions about mannitol and cost

Here are some common questions and answers about mannitol.  

Is mannitol covered by Medicare?

Probably. Mannitol is a commonly used medication in hospitals and will likely be covered by your Medicare plan. But ultimately it’ll depend on the specific plan you have.

To learn more about your Medicare plans coverage of mannitol, contact your plan administrator.

Why are costs different for brand-name drugs vs. generic drugs?

Brand-name drugs can be expensive because of the studies needed to test how safe and effective they are.

Makers of a brand-name drug can sell their drug for up to 20 years. When the patent for a brand-name drug expires, other drugmakers can make and sell generic versions. A generic medication is an identical copy of the active ingredient in a brand-name medication. (An active ingredient is what makes a medication work.)

This competition may help keep costs of generic medications lower. Also, generic medications contain the same active ingredients as brand-name medications. So, they don’t require the same testing, which can be costly.

If you’d like to know more about the cost differences between brand-name and generic drugs, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

What to ask about mannitol

This article provides cost information related to mannitol. It also offers suggestions for ways to save money on your prescription.

If you have more questions about paying for this medication, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also contact your insurance company.

Here’s a list of questions you may want to ask regarding the cost of your medication:

• Will my Medicare plan cover the cost of mannitol?
• Are there lower cost medications that can be used to treat my condition?
• What are my options if I can’t afford my treatment?

Resources

• Food and Drug Administration. (2024). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm   
• Mannitol- mannitol injection, solution. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/e2444db1-9dfe-451f-a33c-9b00786464d2/spl-doc

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.