Final answer:
Mannitol is the medication used to treat cerebral edema by drawing water out of brain tissue, reducing swelling. It is an osmotic diuretic, distinct from other medications like opioids, furosemide, and antibiotics, which have different uses.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medication used to treat cerebral edema by pulling water out of the extracellular space of the edematous brain tissue is mannitol. Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic that works by increasing the osmolarity of the blood and drawing fluid back into the vascular and extravascular space, thereby reducing fluid in the brain tissue. It is effective in reducing brain swelling after head injuries and is also used in cases where the blood-brain barrier is intact, as it does not easily cross into the brain tissue.
Other treatments mentioned, such as opioids, furosemide, and antibiotics, serve different purposes. Opioids are painkillers, furosemide is a loop diuretic used to treat conditions like hypertension or hypotension by acting on the loop of Henle in the kidneys, and antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections.