Inhaled mannitol in cystic fibrosis

Abstract

Inhaled mannitol has recently been given fast-track status as an investigational drug to treat the lung manifestations of cystic fibrosis. It seems to work in a similar way to nebulized hypertonic saline, osmotically inducing water flux into the bronchial lumen, thereby increasing the hydration of airway mucus, which can then be cleared more effectively by mucociliary clearance and coughing. Short-term studies have shown good tolerability and improvements in lung mucociliary clearance. Longer-term studies studying end points of clinical relevance are ongoing. This article assesses its likely future role in cystic fibrosis.

Keywords::

• cystic fibrosis
• dornase alfa
• hypertonic saline
• inhalational therapy
• mannitol
• mucociliary clearance
• mucolytic

Disclosure

The author has no conflict of interest to declare and no fee has been received for the preparation of the manuscript.