Propofol

Propofol

Trade names	Diprivan
Clinical data
Drug class	Sedative hypnotic
Uses	Induction and maintenance of anesthesia, sedation
Contraindications	Egg/soy allergy (controversial)
Routes of administration	Intravenous
Dosage	Induction of anesthesia: Adult: 1-2.5 mg/kg Elderly: 1-1.5 mg/kg Pediatric: 2.5-3.5 mg/kg Maintenance of anesthesia: Adult: 100-200 mcg/kg/min Elderly: 50-100 mcg/kg/min Pediatric: 125-300 mcg/kg/min
Pharmacodynamics
Mechanism of action	GABA agonism
Adverse effects	Hypotension Bradycardia Pain on injection
Pharmacokinetics
Onset of action	15-30 seconds
Duration of action	5-10 minutes
Metabolism	Liver glucuronidation
Redistribution half-life	2-8 minutes (initial) 30-70 minutes (slow)
Elimination half-life	1.5-31 hours
Clearance	1.5-2.2 L/min
Protein binding	95-99%
pKa	11
Volume of distribution	6-40 L (central) 150-700 L (steady state)
Physical and chemical data
Formula	C12H18O
Molar mass	178.275 g/mol

Propofol is the most commonly used intravenous anesthetic, used for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia, sedation of mechanically ventilated adults, and procedural sedation.

Uses

• Induction and maintenance of general anesthesia
• Sedation for mechanical ventilation
• Procedural sedation
• Treatment of status epilepticus
• Treatment of nausea and vomiting

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Mechanism of action

Propofol reduces consciousness through GABA_A receptor agonism and potentiation.

Adverse effects

• Hypotension
• Bradycardia
• Apnea
• Pain on injection
• Propofol infusion syndrome
• Hypertriglyceridemia