Sorbitol

Mechanism-of-action class: Physiochemical Activity.

• 3% Sorbitol Urologic Irrigating Solution is indicated for use as a urologic irrigating fluid with endoscopic instruments during transurethral procedures requiring distension, irrigation, and lavage of the urinary bladder. It may be used for lavage of an indwelling catheter to maintain patency.

• Anuria.contraindicated

The volume of solution needed will vary with the nature and duration of the urologic procedure. If desired, warm in overwrap to near body temperature in a water bath or oven heated to not more than 45°C. Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit.

Not for injection. Not for use in patients with documented or suspected fructose intolerance. Solutions for urologic irrigation must be used with caution in patients with severe cardiopulmonary or renal dysfunction. Irrigating fluids used during transurethral prostatectomy have been demonstrated to enter the systemic circulation in relatively large volumes; thus sorbitol irrigating solution must be regarded as a systemic drug. Absorption of large amounts of fluids containing sorbitol may significantly alter cardiopulmonary and renal dynamics. Appropriate patient monitoring should be maintained due to the possibility of fluid overload. Should fluid overload occur, intensive fluid and electrolyte management is necessary. Monitoring of fluid and electrolyte levels beyond the acute phase may be considered due to the possibility of delayed fluid absorption. (See ADVERSE REACTIONS, Post-Marketing Experience) Hyperglycemia from metabolism of absorbed sorbitol may occur in patients with diabetes mellitus. The contents of an opened container should be used promptly to minimize the possibility of bacterial growth or pyrogen formation. Discard the unused portion of irrigating solution since no antimicrobial agent has been added.

Life threatening adverse reactions with intravenous sorbitol infusions have been reported in patients with fructose intolerance. The literature reports occasional adverse reactions for intravenous sorbitol infusions. These include disturbances such as acidosis, electrolyte loss, marked diuresis, urinary retention, edema, dryness of mouth and thirst, and dehydration; cardiovascular/pulmonary disorders such as pulmonary congestion, hypotension, tachycardia, angina-like pains, and other general reactions such as blurred vision, convulsions, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, rhinitis, chills, vertigo, and backache. Allergic reactions reported to occur from sorbitol include urticaria. Should adverse reactions occur, discontinue the irrigant and reevaluate the clinical status of the patient. Post-Marketing Experience Following off-label use of 3% Sorbitol Urologic Irrigating Solution for hysteroscopic procedures in women, life-threatening adverse events related to fluid overload have been reported.

Pregnancy Teratogenic Effects Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with 3% Sorbitol Urologic Irrigating Solution. It is not known whether 3% Sorbitol Urologic Irrigating Solution can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproductive capacity. 3% Sorbitol Urologic Irrigating Solution should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

• Feb 22, 1980NDANDA018316Otsuka Icu Medcl
• May 30, 1980NDANDA017863Baxter Hlthcare

1. 1Vomiting437.3%
2. 2Nausea416.9%
3. 3Diarrhoea406.8%
4. 4Acute Kidney Injury366.1%
5. 5Fatigue355.9%
6. 6Pain355.9%
7. 7Constipation335.6%
8. 8Chronic Kidney Disease325.4%
9. 9Fall325.4%
10. 10Asthenia315.3%
11. 11Renal Failure294.9%
12. 12Hypotension284.7%
13. 13Pneumonia274.6%
14. 14Dizziness264.4%
15. 15Dyspnoea264.4%

Recent PubMed references pinned to Sorbitol as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

• Changes in serological, inflammatory, and serum protein electrophoretic markers during ongoing meglumine antimoniate plus allopurinol therapy in canine leishmaniosis.
  Veterinary research communications · 2026 · Giner J, González A, Lebrero ME, et al.
  PMID 42142214DOI 10.1007/s11259-026-11275-4
• Commentary on "Thermophysical and rheological properties of sorbitol + ([mmim] (MeO)(2)PO(2)) ionic liquid solutions: Solubility, density and viscosity".
  Food chemistry · 2026 · Wu K, Ke Y, Li X, et al.
  PMID 42066476DOI 10.1016/j.foodchem.2026.149419
• Vasodilation, loop diuretics, or their combination in acute heart failure: Rationale and design of the randomized placebo-controlled DECONGEST-AHF trial.
  American heart journal · 2026 · Olesen ASO, Lukoschewitz JD, Taraldsen IA, et al.
  PMID 42044762DOI 10.1016/j.ahj.2026.107461
• Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Safety of Single-Dose Luseogliflozin (TS-071) in Japanese Children and Adolescents With Type 2 Diabetes: A Multicenter, Open-Label, Parallel-Group Phase 1 Study.
  Clinical pharmacology in drug development · 2026 · Kikuchi T, Nakamura H, Umeuchi H, et al.
  PMID 42029159DOI 10.1002/cpdd.70065
• Sorbitol-enhanced butyric acid production in mixed-culture anaerobic fermentation of potato peel waste.
  Journal of environmental management · 2026 · Lu Y, Zheng K, Zhao F, et al.
  PMID 42025095DOI 10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.129742
• Combination treatment of topical nystatin and systemic meglumine antimoniate in the BALB/c - Leishmania(Leishmania) amazonensis model.
  Experimental parasitology · 2026 · Silva-Figueiredo M, Castro Côrtes LM, Dias-Lopes G, et al.
  PMID 41932422DOI 10.1016/j.exppara.2026.109133
• Cerebral Accumulation of Gadolinium (Gd(3+)) and Related Cellular Stress Pathways in Rat Brain Tissue.
  Tomography (Ann Arbor, Mich.) · 2026 · Tuzcu G, Çildağ B, Çildağ S, et al.
  PMID 41893832DOI 10.3390/tomography12030037
• [Metabolic correction of systemic oxidative-toxic lesions in urgent abdominal surgery].
  Khirurgiia · 2026 · Muratova TA, Vlasov AP, Markin OV, et al.
  PMID 41885490DOI 10.17116/hirurgia202603163

The 10 most recently updated of 202 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Sorbitol as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

• Safety and Immunogenicity of an Inactivated West Nile Virus Vaccine in Healthy Adults
  Active not recruiting · Phase 1 · Interventional · 30 enrolled · National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
  NCT06745921updated 2026-06-12
• Xylitol and the Prevention of Periodontal Disease and Preterm Birth Trial
  Recruiting · Phase 2 · Phase 3 · Interventional · 6,000 enrolled · University of Washington
  NCT07424846updated 2026-06-09
• CRUISE System in Flight
  Not yet recruiting · Observational · 60 enrolled · Hernando Gomez
  NCT07637240updated 2026-06-09
• Pharmacodynamic EffIcacy and Clinical Benefit of AT 007 in Patients With Sorbitol Dehydrogenase (SORD) Deficiency
  Completed · Phase 2 · Phase 3 · Interventional · 56 enrolled · Applied Therapeutics, Inc.
  NCT05397665updated 2026-06-09
• Vasodilator Therapy With Isosorbide Mononitrate or Diltiazem to Reduce Vasotoxicity in Patients With Gastrointestinal Cancer Receiving Fluoropyrimidine Therapy
  Recruiting · Phase 1 · Phase 2 · Interventional · 60 enrolled · Mayo Clinic
  NCT07456852updated 2026-06-02
• Confirmatory Study of Govorestat in CMT-SORD
  Withdrawn · Phase 3 · Interventional · 0 enrolled · Applied Therapeutics, Inc.
  NCT07191912updated 2026-05-29
• Intranasal and Intravenous Oxytocin for Analgesia to Noxious Heat Pain
  Recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 24 enrolled · Wake Forest University Health Sciences
  NCT07053774updated 2026-05-26
• A Single-Arm Exploratory Study of NatureU Pelvic Health Pumpkin Seed in Women With Urinary Frequency and Leakage Symptoms
  Completed · Interventional · 19 enrolled · OmniSolutions Laboratory Holdings Limited
  NCT07571616updated 2026-05-07
• Feasibility of Study of Empagliflozin in Patients With Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
  Active not recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 50 enrolled · University of Colorado, Denver
  NCT05510115updated 2026-05-01
• Optimized Treatment of Pulmonary Edema or Congestion
  Recruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 1,104 enrolled · Rigshospitalet, Denmark
  NCT05276219updated 2026-04-22

Frequently asked questions

How does Sorbitol work?

Mechanism-of-action class: Physiochemical Activity.

What is Sorbitol used for?

According to FDA labeling, Sorbitol carries indications including: 3% Sorbitol Urologic Irrigating Solution is indicated for use as a urologic irrigating fluid with endoscopic instruments during transurethral procedures requiring distension, irrigation, and lavage of the urinary bladder. It may be used for lavage of an indwelling catheter to maintain patency.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.

What class of drug is Sorbitol?

Sorbitol is classified as Enemas, Osmotically acting laxatives, Other irrigating solutions, Tests for bile duct patency, Physiochemical Activity, Stimulation Small Intestine Fluid/Electrolyte Absorption.

What are the contraindications for Sorbitol?

Sorbitol labeling lists contraindications including: Anuria.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.