Mannitol - A Bulking Agent For Tableting

Mannitol is classified as a sugar alcohol and is derived from a sugar (mannose) by reduction. Other widely known polyols are xylitol and sorbitol. Mannitol and sorbitol are isomers, differing only in the orientation of the hydroxyl group on carbon two. The physical properties of mannitol make it suitable for use as a bulking agent in tableting. However, it also has unique chemical properties that enable it to stabilize a wide variety of pharmaceutical preparations, including liquid formulations, as well as protect proteins from denaturation/degradation upon lyophilization, spray drying, and reconstitution.