Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved propofol injection for:
- starting sedation before surgery or other types of medical procedures
- continued sedation to keep you asleep during surgery
- monitored anesthesia care (MAC), where you may be aware of what’s going on, but you’re relaxed and drowsy
- sedation in people who are intubated and mechanically ventilated in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital
This article describes possible side effects of propofol injection. To learn more about propofol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Propofol injection is a generic version of the brand-name drug Diprivan.
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More common side effects of propofol
Propofol injection may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of propofol injection include:
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of propofol in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of propofol
Below are some of the mild side effects of propofol injection. The mild side effects varied based on the condition being treated.
Mild side effects reported in people receiving propofol injection for anesthesia and MAC sedation include:
- fever
- pain in the arms and legs
- awareness
- weakness
- neck stiffness
- unusual dreams
- anxiety
- dizziness
- tremor (shaking)
- increased saliva
- nausea
- diarrhea
- dry mouth
- vomiting
- muscle aches
- cough
- skin rash
- itchiness
- burning, discoloration, itchiness, or stinging where propofol is injected
- pain where propofol is injected*
- mild allergic reaction*
Mild side effects reported in people receiving propofol injection for ICU sedation include:
Propofol injection may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of propofol in detail” section below.
Serious side effects of propofol
Propofol may cause certain serious side effects. Your doctor will monitor you for any serious side effects from propofol injection since you will be receiving it in a healthcare setting. But if you have any serious side effects from propofol injection after discharge from the healthcare setting, call your doctor right away. If you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with propofol.
Serious side effects of propofol injection that occurred in studies include:
- slow heart rate
- fast heart rate
- decreased cardiac output (inability of the heart to pump enough oxygen to meet the body’s needs)
- apnea (interrupted breathing)
- cardiac arrest
- asystole (a stoppage in the heart’s electrical system)
- low blood pressure
- high blood pressure
- increased triglyceride levels
- hyperlipemia (high fat levels in the blood)
- seizures
- low zinc levels
- respiratory acidosis (inability of the lungs to remove enough carbon dioxide from the body)
- pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs)
- pancreatitis
- unconsciousness after the medical procedure
- irregular heart rhythm*
- propofol infusion syndrome*
- severe allergic reaction*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of propofol in detail” section below.
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Get free cardSide effects of propofol in children
For children, doctors prescribe propofol injection for the following purposes:
- start sedation in children ages 3 years and older
- maintain sedation in children ages 2 months and older
The following side effects were more commonly reported in children than in adults:
- slow heart rate
- agitation
- jitteriness
- negative effects on the developing brain
- apnea*
If you’d like to know more about side effects in children receiving propofol injection, talk with your child’s doctor or pharmacist.
* This side effect wasn’t reported in studies of the drug. But it occurred in children after the drug was approved for use.
Common questions about side effects of propofol
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of propofol injection. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Will I experience side effects of propofol the next day? How long do side effects of the drug usually last?
Possibly. Propofol may interfere with your ability to think, focus, and react for some time after receiving general anesthesia. But in most cases, mild side effects are temporary and will go away within a few hours.
If you experience side effects that aren’t going away or are getting worse, talk with your doctor.
Does propofol cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases, propofol injection may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you receive the drug for long periods of sedation.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with propofol injection include:
- low zinc levels
- negative effects on the developing brain in children under the age of 3 years
- propofol infusion syndrome*
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. You can ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of propofol may last.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of propofol in detail” section below.
Is propofol injection safe for older adults?
Maybe. Older adults (ages 65 years and older) may get rid of propofol from their bodies more slowly than younger adults. This means the drug can reach higher levels in the body, which can increase the risk of serious side effects from the drug.
To lower this risk, doctors typically prescribe a lower dosage of propofol injection for older adults.
If you have questions about the safety of propofol given your age, talk with your doctor.
Side effects of propofol in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of propofol injection.
Irregular heart rhythm
In studies, irregular heart rhythm was one of the most common side effects in people receiving propofol injection. This side effect may be mild or serious.
With an irregular heart rhythm, your heart’s electrical system isn’t working properly. This can change the way your heart beats. Irregular heart rhythm usually doesn’t cause many symptoms. But if they do, symptoms may include:
- flutter feeling in your chest
- slow or irregular heartbeat
- feeling like your heart skipped a beat
- chest pain or tightness
- lightheadedness
- fainting
- difficulty breathing
Certain factors can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm with propofol injection. These include certain heart problems, diabetes, kidney disease, and caffeine or alcohol use.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of irregular heart rhythm, tell your doctor. They may order tests to confirm if you have irregular heart rhythm and determine what the cause is. They can also determine if it’s safe for you to receive propofol injections in the future.
Pain where propofol is injected
In studies, pain at the injection site was common in people receiving propofol injection. This side effect is usually mild.
Doctors will likely help lower pain in different ways. These include injecting propofol in the larger veins of your arm and using lidocaine injections. They can inject lidocaine into your vein before propofol. Or it can be mixed with propofol to reduce the pain you feel while propofol is injected.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of pain during your propofol injection, tell your doctor. They can give you medications to help.
Propofol infusion syndrome
Propofol injection can cause a rare but life threatening side effect called propofol infusion syndrome. This side effect has occurred in both adults and children receiving propofol injection for sedation in the ICU.
Propofol infusion syndrome is a reaction that can cause problems in multiple organs, such as your heart, liver, and kidneys. It’s a serious condition that can cause organ failure or lead to death.
Certain factors can increase the risk of propofol infusion syndrome. These include:
- history of serious injuries to the brain or spine
- receiving high doses of propofol for a long time
- sepsis (severe immune system response caused by an infection in your body)
Ways to manage
To lower the risk of propofol infusion syndrome, your doctor won’t likely give you propofol for prolonged periods of time. They will also monitor you closely for signs of this side effect so they can catch it early if it occurs.
If you develop propofol infusion syndrome, your doctor will likely stop giving you propofol injection and prescribe medications to treat any symptoms.
Allergic reaction
For some people, propofol injection can cause an allergic reaction.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, your doctor may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep receiving the medication.
Severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or difficulty breathing, require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to propofol injection, your doctor may recommend a different medication instead.
Warnings for propofol
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before receiving propofol injection.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to receive propofol injection if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether propofol injection is a safe treatment option for you.
Before receiving a propofol injection, tell your doctor about your health and the medications you take. Things to consider include:
- heart problems
- seizures
- hyperlipoproteinemia
- pancreatitis
- history of burns
- diarrhea
- sepsis
- older age
- extreme weakness or fragility
- severe illness
- past allergic reaction to propofol
Propofol and pregnancy
It’s not known whether propofol injection should be used during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before receiving this medication.
Propofol and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether propofol injection should be used while breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before receiving this medication.
Propofol and alcohol
Propofol injection is not known to interact with alcohol.
But combining alcohol and propofol can increase your risk of side effects, including drowsiness and low blood pressure.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it before receiving a propofol injection.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of propofol injection. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How do the side effects of propofol compare with other drugs used for similar purposes?
- Is the risk of an irregular heart rhythm highest when I’m first given propofol?
- Does my risk of side effects depend on my dosage of propofol?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.