Powdered mannitol and mannitol-containing compositions

Process for the production of powdered free flowing mannitol for use in a powder inhaler, characterized by

• a) producing a solution comprising mannitol in a concentration of from 2 to 70% by weight,
• b) spraying the resulting solution into an ascending stream of air in a spray tower or in a fluidised bed dryer at a temperature of from 20 to 400° C. with the aid of spray nozzles, atomisers or of a multicomponent atomizing nozzle which has at least three concentric flow channels each leading to a slit-like orifice, with each slit orifice for spraying a liquid being flanked on each side by a slit orifice for emergence of a gas,
• c) fluidizing, drying and collecting the powdered product which is formed,
• d) where appropriate recycling a part of the powder which is formed and/or spraying also a solid-containing suspension
• e) using water or suitable organic solvents to produce the solution(s) or suspensions.