Generic name: propofol [ PROE-poe-fol ]
Brand names: Diprivan, Propoven
Drug class:General anesthetics
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 medicine may affect brain development in a child under 3, or an unborn baby whose mother receives this medicine during late pregnancy. These effects may be more likely when the anesthesia is used for 3 hours or longer, or used for repeated procedures. Effects on brain development could cause learning or behavior problems later in life.
Negative brain effects from anesthesia have been seen in animal studies. However, studies in human children receiving single short uses of anesthesia have not shown a likely effect on behavior or learning. More research is needed.
In some cases, your doctor may decide to postpone a surgery or procedu...
