This article describes propofol injection’s dosages and strength and gives details on how it’s given. If you want to know more about propofol injection, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Propofol injection is a generic version of the brand-name drug Diprivan.
Form and strengths of propofol
Propofol injection comes as follows:
- Form: an emulsion (an oily, liquid mixture) given into a vein as an intravenous (IV) injection or infusion (an injection given over time)
- Strength: 10 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL)
Dosage of propofol
This article describes the recommended dosages for propofol injection. The drugmaker provides these dosages.
Propofol is only given by a doctor or other healthcare professional who’s trained in anesthesia. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs.
Propofol’s drugmaker hasn’t recommended a maximum dosage for any of the drug’s uses.
Usual recommended dosages of propofol in adults
Dosage for starting sedation
Propofol is an anesthesia medication that helps you relax and go to sleep before surgery or other types of medical procedures. It’s also used to help you stay asleep until the surgery or procedure is complete. To start sedation, propofol may be given into your vein. This is known as an IV bolus injection.
The following table outlines the recommended dosages for starting sedation (sleepiness) before the surgery or medical procedure starts. The dosages are in mg and kilograms (kg). For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
| Purpose | Recommended dosage |
| sedation in healthy adults or adults with mild disease | 2–2.5 mg/kg |
| sedation for neurosurgery | 1–2 mg/kg |
| sedation in adults with heart conditions | 0.5–1.5 mg/kg |
Dosage for continued sedation
In order to stay asleep during surgery, you may be given propofol through an IV infusion. Or propofol may be given into your vein at regular intervals. This is known as intermittent IV bolus injections. When propofol is given through intermittent IV boluses, the recommended dosage is 25–50 mg.
The following table outlines the recommended dosages of propofol for keeping a person asleep when given through IV infusion.
The dosages are in micrograms (mcg).
| Purpose | Recommended dosage |
| maintain sedation in adults | 100–200 mcg/kg/min |
| maintain sedation in adults with heart conditions | 25–100 mcg/kg/min |
Dosage for monitored anesthesia care (MAC)
Doctors also prescribe propofol for a type of sedation called monitored anesthesia care (MAC). With this type of sedation, you may be aware of what’s going on, but you’re relaxed and drowsy.
To start MAC sedation, propofol may be given through a slow IV infusion or slow injection.
The following table outlines the recommended dosages of propofol for starting MAC.
| Method | Recommended dosage |
| slow IV infusion | 100–150 mcg/kg/min for 3–5 minutes |
| slow injection | 0.5 mg/kg over 3–5 minutes |
To maintain MAC sedation, propofol may be given through an infusion or intermittent bolus injections. An infusion method is typically preferred over a bolus method.
The following table outlines the recommended dosages of propofol for maintenance of MAC.
| Method | Recommended dosage |
| IV infusion | 25–75 mcg/kg/min |
| intermittent bolus | 10–20 mg |
Dosage for sedation in the intensive care unit (ICU)
Propofol may also be prescribed for patients who are intubated and mechanically ventilated in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a hospital. In this situation, propofol helps people stay asleep and relaxed.
The recommended dosage of propofol for this purpose is 5 mcg/kg/min.
Dosages of propofol in children
Propofol injection is used for sedation in some children. This includes:
- starting sedation in children ages 3 years and older
- maintaining sedation in children ages 2 months and older
The recommended dosage of propofol injection for starting sedation is 2.5–3.5 mg/kg.
To maintain sedation, propofol may be given through an infusion or intermittent bolus injections.
| Method | Recommended dosage |
| IV infusion | 200–300 mcg/kg/min |
| intermittent bolus injections | an initial injection of 1–4 mg/kg, followed by doses ranging from 0.5–2 mg/kg as needed |
Dosage adjustments for propofol
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of propofol injection based on several factors. These include:
- the type of surgery or procedure
- your age
- your weight
- other health conditions you may have
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about propofol injection and its dosage.
Is propofol used long term?
No, doctors don’t typically prescribe propofol injection for long-term use. Instead, it’s usually recommended for short-term use. In some cases, propofol may be used to keep a person sedated for a longer time if they’re intubated and mechanically ventilated in a hospital.
If you have questions about how long propofol injection will be given, talk with your doctor.
Is there a risk of withdrawal with propofol?
Possibly. Although propofol injection is typically only prescribed for short-term use, sometimes a person might need to be sedated for a few days or longer.
There have been cases of propofol withdrawal after 17 days of use. Examples of these symptoms include feeling agitated or anxious.
Withdrawal symptoms are side effects that can occur when you stop taking a drug that your body has become dependent on. With dependence, your body needs the drug to feel like it usually does.
If you have more questions about the risk of withdrawal with propofol, talk with your doctor.
How propofol is administered
Your doctor or another healthcare professional will give you propofol injection. It’s typically given in a hospital or clinic setting. Depending on the use, propofol may be given as an IV injection or infusion (an injection given over time).
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Get free cardWhat to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for propofol injection. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your dosage of propofol.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- What dosage of propofol will I be given?
- Will my dosage of propofol change if I take other medications?
- Will a higher dosage of propofol raise my risk of side effects?
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.