About propofol
Intravenous general anesthetic
Used for
- Induction and maintenance of general anesthesia
- Sedation during intensive care or procedures
Usual adult dose
Given by intravenous infusion or injection; dose is carefully adjusted by an anesthetist to the patient and purpose.
Usual dose in children
For anesthesia in children over one month, given intravenously and adjusted by an anesthetist; intensive-care sedation is not recommended under 16.
Common side effects
- Low blood pressure
- Slow or irregular heartbeat
- Breathing suppression or pauses
- Pain at injection site
Important warnings
- Can cause profound unconsciousness and stop breathing; requires trained staff and monitoring.
- Not for unsupervised use or self-administration.
- Contains egg and soybean ingredients; check product-specific allergy precautions.
- Prolonged high-dose infusion can cause rare, life-threatening propofol infusion syndrome.
Pregnancy
Use during pregnancy only when clinically necessary; it crosses the placenta and may affect the newborn.
Breastfeeding
Small amounts enter breast milk; a single dose is generally considered compatible with resuming breastfeeding once the parent has recovered.
Interactions
- Opioids and sedatives can deepen sedation and suppress breathing.
- Other anesthetics and blood-pressure-lowering medicines may increase low blood pressure.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.