Propofol side effects

Rhabdomyolysis is the destruction of skeletal muscle tissues and may be associated with lipid-regulating drugs such as the fibrates and the statins. The risk of this side-effect is increased in patients with renal impairment and with hypothyroidism. Rhabdomyolysis may also occur with nicotinic acid, the antipsychotic aripiprazole, and the anaesthetic propofol. 

Finally, newer intravenous anesthetics such as etomidate (Amidate) and propofol (Diprivan) are available. Etomidate is a hypnoticlike drug that causes a rapid onset of general anesthesia with a minimum of cardiopulmonary side effects. Flence, this drug may be useful in patients with compromised cardiovascular or respiratory function. Propofol is a short-acting hypnotic that is useful as a general anesthetic in some... 

Marik PE. Propofol therapeutic indications and side-effects. Curr Pharm Des. 2004 10 3639-3649. 

Arain SR, Ebert TJ. The efficacy, side effects, and recovery characteristics of dexmedetomidine versus propofol... 

Propofol Propofol has been relatively free of acute side effects other than those associated with its mechanism of action. Continuous infusions lasting greater than 10 days in ICUs have demonstrated no significant apparent toxicities. Propofol is not recommended for obstetrics, including cesarean section deliveries. It crosses the placenta, and as with other general anesthetic agents, may be associated with neonatal depression. Propofol is not recommended for use in nursing mothers because it is excreted in human milk, and the effects of oral absorption of small amounts of propofol in newborn and infants are not known. 

This dmg, also known as Diprivan, is chemically unlike any of the previously described iv agents and was developed following the discovery of the anesthetic activity of the 2,6-diethyl analogue (111). Propofol itself is insoluble in water and is usually formulated in a soya bean oil emulsion. Propofol induction, with or without an opioid, is smooth and similar to that of other agents, although pain at the injection site and apnea have been reported (112,113). Recovery after induction and maintenance is faster, with fewer side effects, than with thiopentone (114), although sexual disinhibition has been anecdotally reported (115). Propofol is rapidly distributed, metabolized, and eliininated (116). 

Austin JD, Parke TJ (2009) Admixture of ephedrine to offset side effects of propofol a randomized, controlled trial. J Clin Anesth 21 44-49... 

A 23-year-old army veteran with severe post-traumatic stress disorder had undergone multiple drug trials, and residential rehabilitation, all without success. Following a 24h medication washout, he received 30 mg propofol and 35 mg ketamine IV over 20 min. There was no loss of consciousness and the only reported side effect was mild... 

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