Mannitol Content in Paracetamol IV Solution
There is no mannitol in standard intravenous paracetamol (acetaminophen) formulations.
Composition of IV Paracetamol
Standard intravenous paracetamol solutions contain:
The ready-to-use paracetamol solution for injection (such as Perfalgan) is formulated as a clear solution without mannitol as an excipient 2.
Why This Question May Arise
The confusion likely stems from the fact that mannitol is a separate medication entirely, used for different clinical indications:
Mannitol as a Distinct Drug
- Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic used primarily for reducing intracranial pressure and intraocular pressure 3, 4, 5
- Standard mannitol IV formulation: 25% solution (250 mg/mL) 5
- 100 mL of 25% mannitol contains 25 grams of mannitol 5
Different Clinical Applications
- Paracetamol: Analgesic and antipyretic for pain management 1
- Mannitol: Osmotherapeutic agent for elevated intracranial pressure 3, 4, 6
Important Clinical Distinction
These are two completely separate medications that should never be confused:
- Paracetamol IV is dosed at 10-15 mg/kg every 6-8 hours for pain management 1
- Mannitol is dosed at 0.25-1 g/kg IV over 20-30 minutes for elevated ICP 4, 5
Mannitol and paracetamol are not combined in any standard pharmaceutical formulation and serve entirely different therapeutic purposes.