Propofol
Brand Names: Diprivan
Methodology & AI Transparency ⓘ
Propofol Key Takeaways
Translated by Sarah Jenkins (AI RN Plain-English Translator) at a 7th-grade reading level
- 1 What it does: Propofol injectable emulsion is an intravenous general anesthetic and sedation drug indicated for: Induction of General Anesthesia for Patients Greater than or Equal to 3 Years of Age Maintenance of General Anesthesia for Patients Greater than or Equal to 2 Months of Age Initiation and Maintenance of Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) Sedation in Adult Patients Sedation for Adult Patients in Combination with Regional Anesthesia Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Sedation of Intubated, Mechanically Ventilated Adult Patients Limitations of Use Propofol injectable emulsion is not recommended for induction of anesthesia below.
- 2 Real-world patient consensus: Tracked across 12 patient dosage logs with a 86% satisfaction benchmark (RxCUI 1808217).
- 3 Typical cash cost range: Dispensing cost comparison spans $14.10 mail/discount cash up to $36.10 uninsured retail (federal NADAC $0.1384).
- 4 Top reported side effects / signs: Most commonly reported Propofol tolerability events: orthostatic hypotension (1.7%), nausea (9.4%), headache (8.6%).
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Propofol Mechanism, CYP450 Pathways & DailyMed Monograph
Propofol injectable emulsion is an intravenous general anesthetic and sedation drug indicated for: Induction of General Anesthesia for Patients Greater than or Equal to 3 Years of Age Maintenance of General Anesthesia for Patients Greater than or Equal to 2 Months of Age Initiation and Maintenance of Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) Sedation in Adult Patients Sedation for Adult Patients in Combination with Regional Anesthesia Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Sedation of Intubated, Mechanically Ventilated Adult Patients Limitations of Use Propofol injectable emulsion is not recommended for induction of anesthesia below.
12.1 Mechanism of Action The mechanism of action, like all general anesthetics, is poorly understood. However, propofol is thought to produce its sedative/anesthetic effects by the positive modulation of the inhibitory function of the neurotransmitter GABA through the ligand-gated GABA A receptors.
With Approximately 9–18 hours terminal plasma half-life for Propofol residence kinetics and Complete (~100%) parenteral systemic delivery for Propofol (10 mg/mL Injection, Emulsion) bioavailability, Propofol undergoes phase i/ii hepatic conjugation of propofol coupled with glomerular and tubular renal excretion and establishes therapeutic activity over rapid intravascular/parenteral onset within 15–45 minutes after propofol administration.
Standard adult regimens span 10 mg/mL Injection, Emulsion, Longitudinal Propofol dosing interval tailored to tolerability. Prescribers screen specifically against propofol injectable emulsion is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to propofol or any of propofol injectable emulsion components.; propofol injectable emulsion is contraindicated in patients with a history of anaphylaxis to eggs, egg products, soybeans or soy products.; known hypersensitivity to propofol, egg or soybean ( 4 ), while community micro-logs most frequently note nausea (9.4% of reports), headache (8.6% of reports), dizziness (5.8% of reports).
Patients taking Propofol should avoid unmonitored CNS depressants due to compounded vigilance impairment.
Assess baseline hepatic panels and interacting prescriptions when starting Propofol (general anesthetic).
Standard Adult Titration & Dosages
Absolute & Relative Contraindications
- Propofol injectable emulsion is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to propofol or any of propofol injectable emulsion components.
- Propofol injectable emulsion is contraindicated in patients with a history of anaphylaxis to eggs, egg products, soybeans or soy products.
- Known hypersensitivity to propofol, egg or soybean ( 4 )
Logged Side-Effect Incidence (12 Reports)
Propofol Real-World Side Effects: openFDA FAERS vs. Patient Micro-Logs
Peer-Reviewed Human Clinical Trials & Meta-Analyses (Propofol)
| Study & Plain-English Finding | Sample (N) | Rigor | Primary Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Insights on Benefits and safety of HSK3486 for Anesthesia/Sedation in Patients Undergoing: What a 267-Participant Study Found HSK3486 exhibited non-inferiority anesthesia/sedation compared to propofol in patients undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy, and had a good safety profile with a lower incidence of pain on injection. CNS drugs • 2022-03-15 • Phase III Randomized Trial | N = 267 | 93/100 | PMID 35157236 ↗ |
| New Insights on A Multicenter, Randomized, gold-standard blind, Positive-Controlled,: What a 416-Participant Study Found Emulsified isoflurane exhibited non-inferiority of anesthesia/sedation compared to propofol in patients undergoing anesthesia induction. CNS drugs • 2022-12-15 • Phase III Randomized Trial | N = 416 | 93/100 | PMID 36385453 ↗ |
| Can This Approach Help? Inside the Latest Research on Efficacy of HSK3486 and Propofol for Induction of General Anesthesia in Adults: A The study met its primary objective and endpoint, demonstrating noninferiority of HSK3486 compared with propofol in successful anesthetic induction. Anesthesiology • 2024-04-01 • Phase III Randomized Trial | N = 168 | 88/100 | PMID 38150544 ↗ |
| Faster Wake-Up After a Procedure: How a Newer Sedative Compares to Standard Anesthesia This trial established non-inferior sedation success rate of RT compared with propofol. Journal of gastroenterology and hepatology • 2021-02-15 • Phase III Randomized Trial | N = 384 | 87/100 | PMID 32677707 ↗ |
| New Insights on Ciprofol (HSK3486) versus propofol for the induction of deep sedation during: What a 289-Participant Study Found Pain on injection was less common in the ciprofol group (4.9% vs. Basic & clinical pharmacology & toxicology • 2022-08-15 • Phase III Randomized Trial | N = 289 | 87/100 | PMID 35653554 ↗ |
Propofol Public Price Transparency Ledger
| Dispensing Channel / Benchmark | Verification Source | Reference Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Acquisition Cost (CMS NADAC) | CMS Medicaid NADAC Weekly National Survey | $0.1384/unit (~$4.15/30u) | Wholesale baseline |
| Average U.S. Walk-In Retail Cash Price | Chain Pharmacy Uninsured Cash Index | $36.10 / mo | Before coupon/insurance |
| Patient-Logged Out-of-Pocket Average | 12 Anonymous DotMD Community Micro-Logs | $14.10 / mo | View logs ↓ |
| Sesame Direct Cash-Pay Prescriber Network (Licensed Telehealth Cash Program) | State-licensed clinician review • ~1d mail fulfillment | $29.00 consult | Program details |
| Virtual Psychiatric Medication Management (Licensed Telehealth Cash Program) | State-licensed clinician review • ~1d mail fulfillment | $39.00 consult | Program details |
Propofol Federal Verification & Benchmark Summary
| Metric | Verified Benchmark | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Propofol RxNorm Concept ID | 1808217 | U.S. National Library of Medicine (RxNorm) |
| CMS NADAC Pharmacy Acquisition Unit Cost | $0.1384 / unit | CMS Medicaid NADAC Weekly Feed |
| Walk-In Chain Pharmacy Cash Average | $36.10 / mo | U.S. Uninsured Retail Cash Index |
| Public Mail-Order Wholesale Benchmark | $14.10 / mo (Patient Mean) | Public Cash Reference |
| Real-World Patient Consensus | 86.00% Worth It (12 anonymous logs) | DotMD Zero-PHI Patient Ledger |
Propofol Patient Community, Cohort Filters & Dosage Logs
Cross-verified Propofol (general anesthetic) monograph synthesizing RxNorm 1808217, openFDA FAERS signals, and $14.10–$36.10 cash benchmarks.
Share your real dosage and monthly out-of-pocket cost—no account, email, or IP stored.
Filter Propofol community threads and patient logs by age, biological sex, dosage, and treatment duration.