Indications & Dosage
Induction of anaesthesia: BY SLOW IV INJ, OR BY IV INF: Adult 18-54 years: Usual dose 1.5-2.5 mg/kg, to be administered at a rate of 20-40 mg every 10 seconds until response; for maintenance: Usual dose 4-12 mg/kg/hour, alternatively (by slow IV injection) 25-50 mg, dose may berepeated according to response. Adult 55 years and over: Usual dose 1-1.5 mg/kg, to be administered at a rate of 20 mg every 10 seconds until response; for maintenance: Usual dose 3-6 mg/kg/hour, alternatively (byslow IV injection) 25-50 mg, dose may be repeated according to response. Sedation of ventilated patients in intensive care: BY CONTINUOUS IV INF: Adult: Usual dose 0.3-4 mg/kg/hour, adjusted according to response. Induction of sedation for surgical and diagnostic procedures: BY SLOW IV INJ: Adult: Initially 0.5-1 mg/kg, to be administered over1-5 minutes, dose and rate of administration adjusted according to desired level of sedation and response. For maintenance: BY IIV INF: Adult: Initially 1.5-4.5 mg/kg/hour, dose and rate of administration adjusted according to desired level of sedation and response, followed by (by slow IV injection) 10-20 mg, (if rapid increase insedation required), patients over 55 years or debilitated may require lower initial dose and rate of administration.
Administration
Before use, propofol should be shaken well. It may be administered undiluted by IV injection or infusion or diluted with dextrose 5% to not less than 2 mg/ml, avoid abrupt discontinuation, avoid using with blood or blood products through the same IV catheter.
Stability
Intact containers should be stored between 4 and 22 Co and protect from freezing.
Contraindications
Severe cardiovascular and respiratory disease, seizures, hyperlipidaemia, not recommended for children
Precautions
Cardiac impairment, cardiovascular disease, acute circulatory failure (shock),elderly, epilepsy, fixed cardiac output, hypotension, hypovolaemia, raised intracranial pressure, respiratory impairment,renal and hepatic impairment, for debilitated patients use dose for55 years and over,
Interactions
Neuromuscular blockers, benzodiazepines, opiates, ethanol, narcotics, phenothiazines.
Pregnancy
May depress neonatal respiration if used during delivery.
Lactation
May resume when mother has recovered sufficiently from anaesthesia.
Side Effects
Bradycardia, tachycardia, pain on intravenous injection, headache, hypotension, transient apnoea, phlebitis, thrombosis, significant extraneous muscle movements. Rare: Anaphylaxis, arrhythmia, convulsions, euphoria, discoloration of urine, pruritus, rash, hyperlipidaemia, respiratory acidosis during weaning.