What is propofol?

Propofol slows the activity of your brain and nervous system.

Propofol is used to put you to sleep and keep you asleep during general anesthesia for surgery or other medical procedures. It is used in adults as well as children 2 months and older.

Propofol is also used to sedate a patient who is under critical care and needs a mechanical ventilator (breathing machine).

Warnings

Before you receive propofol, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and allergies. Also make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. In some cases, you may not be able to use propofol.

The FDA cautions recommends against using propofol if you are allergic to eggs, egg products, soybeans, or soy products.


Before receiving this medicine

You should not receive propofol if you are allergic to it. Tell your doctor if you have allergies to eggs, egg products, soybeans, or soy products.

To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

  • epilepsy or other seizure disorder; or

  • high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood); or

  • liver or kidney disease.

Anesthesia medications may have an impact on a child's brain development under the age of three or an unborn child whose mother takes them in the latter stages of her pregnancy. If the anesthetic is used for multiple procedures or for three hours or longer, the likelihood of these side effects may increase. Later in life, learning or behavioral issues may arise as a result of effects on brain development.

Studies on animals have shown that anesthesia has detrimental consequences on the brain. Studies on human children who had a single, brief anesthetic treatment, however, have not revealed any indication of a possible impact on behavior or education. Further investigation is required.

Based on these risks, your doctor may choose in some circumstances to postpone a surgery or procedure. In cases of life-threatening illnesses, medical emergencies, or congenital deformities requiring surgery, treatment cannot be postponed.


Find out from your doctor which medications will be used for your operation or procedure. Inquire about the duration of the treatment as well.


A breastfeeding infant may be harmed by propofol, which can enter breast milk. Nonetheless, most women can continue nursing as soon as they awaken from anesthesia and are fully healed because propofol acts and exits the body fast.