Пофол

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Пофол

Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 22/12/2025

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Пофол

Property Description
Active ingredient Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol)
Form Sterile oil-in-water emulsion for injection
Pharmacological class General anesthetic, Sedative-hypnotic agent
Common purpose Induction and maintenance of controlled unconsciousness/deep sedation
Origin Synthetic alkylphenol derivative

Propofol: A Non-Barbiturate Intravenous Anesthetic

The medicine Пофол (Propofol) is defined as a powerful, short-acting general anesthetic and a sedative-hypnotic agent, used to induce and maintain a state of controlled unconsciousness. The active substance, Propofol (2,6-diisopropylphenol), is critically classified as a non-barbiturate agent, which gives it a distinct pharmacological advantage over older anesthetic compounds. Propofol is a synthetic alkylphenol derivative. Due to its reliably fast action and short duration, the drug is noted for significantly improving patient flow in settings such as outpatient surgery.

Formulation and High-Level Composition

Propofol is supplied as a white, sterile oil-in-water emulsion for injection because this particular formulation is necessary to safely administer the drug. The active ingredient is a highly lipophilic compound that is poorly soluble in water, necessitating a specialized carrier medium (emulsion). This single-ingredient product contains the active Propofol, suspended in a base/vehicle typically including soybean oil and egg phospholipid to ensure stability and compatibility during intravenous administration. The medicine must be specially prepared as a milky-white emulsion because the active ingredient is an oil-like substance that does not dissolve in water.

General Purpose in Medical Settings

The fundamental purpose of Propofol is to achieve a state of controlled unconsciousness or deep sedation by causing rapid Central Nervous System (CNS) depression. This action is indispensable for facilitating medical procedures, such as minor surgical interventions or diagnostic tests, that require the patient to be completely unaware and still. The drug's key differentiating factor is its rapid clearance from the body, which significantly reduces the recovery period and minimizes the lingering effects often associated with general anesthesia.

Regulatory References

  1. short-acting general anesthetic
  2. non-barbiturate
  3. clinically recognized
  4. intravenous
  5. controlled unconsciousness
  6. deep sedation
  7. rapid clearance

What side effects are possible with Пофол?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information

This section outlines the adverse reactions and safety characteristics of Пофол (Propofol) as officially documented by government regulatory agencies. The information provided is strictly descriptive and based on official labeling, covering the drug's known risk profile across various body systems.

Adverse Reaction Frequencies

Side effects are classified by their reported incidence in regulatory documents:

Classification Examples of Documented Reactions
Very Common (1/10) Local pain at the injection site.
Common (1/100) Arterial hypotension (low blood pressure), bradycardia (slow heart rate), transient apnoea (brief cessation of breathing during induction), headache, nausea, and vomiting.
Uncommon (1/1,000) Injection site thrombosis or phlebitis.

Serious Adverse Reactions and Safety Concerns

Official labeling highlights several serious, though often rare, safety risks requiring particular attention:

  • Propofol Infusion Syndrome (PRIS): A severe, potentially fatal complication associated primarily with prolonged, high-dose infusions. Manifestations include metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown), hyperkalaemia, and renal/cardiac failure.
  • Severe Cardiorespiratory Depression: Risks of cardiac arrest, profound hypotension, and apnea are central concerns, particularly following rapid administration.
  • Anaphylaxis: A rare but life-threatening acute hypersensitivity reaction.

Population and Formulation Restrictions

Regulatory documents include specific limitations and precautions:

  • Contraindications: Propofol is officially contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the active substance or its excipients, including those allergic to egg or soy products (due to the formulation's vehicle).
  • Special Populations: The elderly and patients with compromised cardiac status (e.g., ASA III/IV) are documented to have an increased risk of cardiorespiratory depression and typically require reduced doses.
  • Pediatrics: Propofol is contraindicated for sedation in children in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

Official regulatory information describes overdose from Propofol (Пофол) primarily as a condition resulting in profound cardiorespiratory depression due to excessive dose or rapid administration. The key documented signs include apnea (cessation of breathing), severe arterial hypotension, and significant oxyhemoglobin desaturation.

Life-Threatening Manifestations and Required Action

Severe overdose can lead to life-threatening outcomes such as respiratory arrest and cardiac arrest. A major, documented risk following prolonged, high-dose infusions is Propofol Infusion Syndrome (PRIS), a serious systemic toxicity characterized by severe metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, and myocardial failure.

When Immediate Medical Help is Required

Regulators mandate that individuals seek immediate medical attention upon the recognition of any sign of profound cardiorespiratory depression or suspicion of PRIS. Since no specific antidote is known, management must be entirely symptomatic and supportive, requiring immediate maintenance of a patent airway and initiation of assisted or controlled ventilation.

Circulatory support, including fluid administration and the use of vasopressors, is required to manage severe hypotension. Official guidance also notes that elderly and debilitated patients are explicitly documented as having an increased susceptibility to these adverse cardiorespiratory effects. Continuous monitoring is required until physiological stability is achieved.

Therapeutic Uses of Пофол

The therapeutic application of Пофол (Propofol) is commonly used to help with initiating a state of profound symptomatic relief, managing acute clinical needs. Its use is centered in areas where short-term symptom management is appropriate. This medication is relevant for easing disruptive manifestations across several core areas, and is commonly used across conditions presenting with acute episodes, such as surgery, medical procedures, and critical care.

Core Symptom Management and Clinical Scenarios

This medication is applied in clinical settings that involve acute or unstable symptom patterns, helping address symptom clusters of anxiety, discomfort, agitation, and inability to remain still. It is commonly used across conditions presenting with acute episodes where short-term symptomatic assistance is needed. Its use provides supportive relief when symptoms interfere with routine activities, such as during endoscopy, fracture management, or mechanical ventilation in the ICU.

“The core therapeutic benefit helps ensure the patient may undergo the intervention completely unconscious and comfortable.”

Quick Fact: Relief for Acute Discomfort The medication provides support that helps ease the overall symptom burden by managing symptoms related to awareness, memory, and physical restlessness.

Regulatory References

  1. National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Eligibility: Who Can and Cannot Use Пофол?

The population eligibility for Пофол (Propofol) is determined strictly by government regulatory guidelines, focusing on age, specific medical conditions, and clinical setting.

Absolute Contraindications

The medicine must not be used in the following populations:

  • Patients with a known hypersensitivity or allergy to Propofol or any component of the emulsion, including egg or soy products.
  • Pediatric patients aged 16 years and younger when used for long-term sedation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) setting.

Age-Specific Eligibility

Eligibility for use is formally established by age for different purposes:

Purpose Minimum Approved Age (General Anesthesia)
Maintenance of Anesthesia ge 2 months
Induction of Anesthesia ge 3 years
ICU Sedation ge 17 or ge 18 years

Use is not recommended for Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) sedation in any pediatric age group, as safety and effectiveness have not been established. Furthermore, its use is not recommended for obstetrical anesthesia, as the drug crosses the placenta.

Conditional Use and Restrictions

Certain populations require restricted use and enhanced caution:

  • Elderly or debilitated patients: Administration must be controlled; rapid bolus dosing is restricted for MAC sedation.
  • Patients with pre-existing conditions such as severe cardiac, respiratory, or lipid metabolism disorders require caution and monitoring.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Interactions with other medicines and products

Propofol's interaction profile is primarily defined by pharmacodynamic synergy and specific pharmacokinetic alterations documented in official regulatory sources.

Pharmacodynamic Interactions

Co-administration with other Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants, including opioids, sedatives, and potent inhalational agents, increases the risk of additive effects. This synergy is formally documented to lead to more pronounced cardiorespiratory depressant effects, such as decreases in arterial pressures. Co-use with antihypertensive agents also heightens the risk of hypotension.

Exposure-Modifying Interactions

Regulatory information specifies that some medicines alter Propofol's concentration. Concomitant use with Valproate is documented to increase the blood levels of Propofol. Conversely, agents such as Apalutamide may decrease the level or effect of Propofol by affecting hepatic enzyme metabolism, including the CYP2C9/10 system.

Administration Constraints and Contraindications

Propofol injectable emulsion must not be mixed with other therapeutic agents prior to administration to prevent physical incompatibility. Administration requirements mandate co-administration of other fluids occur close to the cannula site. The product is formally contraindicated due to known hypersensitivity to the excipients, soybean oil and egg lecithin, and in patients with disorders of fat metabolism.

Mechanism of Action

Mechanism of Action

The drug, Propofol (Пофол), acts across distinct mechanistic domains to modulate neuronal and systemic activity. Its primary action involves the central nervous system, where it functions as a positive allosteric modulator of inhibitory GABAA receptors, specifically by binding to sites on the beta-subunits. This interaction amplifies the receptor's response to GABA, increasing the frequency and duration of the chloride ion ( Cl^-) channel opening. The resulting chloride influx leads to neuronal hyperpolarization and enhanced synaptic inhibition. The system-level consequence of this increased inhibition is a profound central nervous system depression.

Secondary mechanisms include inhibition of NMDA receptors (a major excitatory pathway) and voltage-gated sodium channels ( Na v), alongside the activation of glycine receptors. These interactions modify pathway activity in both neural and cardiovascular tissue, resulting in decreased cerebral metabolism and reduced vascular resistance. Separately, the drug has also been shown to inhibit the processivity of the motor protein kinesin, further contributing to systemic physiological adjustments.

Dosage and Administration Information

The medicine Пофол (Propofol) is administered exclusively via the Intravenous (IV) route as a sterile oil-in-water emulsion. Due to the rapid and profound nature of its effect, administration must be conducted in specialized medical settings under the direct and continuous supervision of personnel trained in anesthesia or critical care.

Official Dosing Principles and Regimens

Dosing is not fixed but is always titrated (adjusted) to the patient's immediate clinical response until the desired level of controlled unconsciousness or sedation is achieved. For the induction of general anesthesia, the typical adult regimen is 1.5 mg/kg to 2.5 mg/kg body weight, administered as a slow bolus injection. Maintenance of anesthesia is achieved via a continuous infusion typically ranging from 4 mg/kg/hour to 12 mg/kg/hour. For sedation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the infusion rate is lower, generally not exceeding 4.0 mg/kg/hour.

Administration and Duration Constraints

Standard practice requires that continuous infusions be delivered using a calibrated infusion pump for precise rate control. Due to the lipid-based formulation, strict aseptic technique is mandatory during preparation and handling. Furthermore, the prepared infusion must be used within a limited time frame (e.g., 6 to 12 hours) to mitigate microbial risks. When used for prolonged ICU sedation, the continuous infusion should generally not exceed 7 days.

Population-Specific Use

A reduced initial dose and slower titration rate are required for both induction and maintenance in older adults and patients with severe systemic disease (ASA III/IV) to account for their heightened sensitivity to the medicine.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Research Evidence / Overview of Studies for Пофол


Evidence for Use in General Anesthesia and Surgery

The research for using Пофол (Propofol) in surgery is extensive and focuses on its use in starting and maintaining a state of controlled unconsciousness. Studies were primarily conducted as Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and supporting large-scale Systematic Reviews. Research has explored the time required to achieve the onset of unconsciousness, the ability to maintain the required depth of anesthesia throughout the operation, and the recovery period afterward.

Findings describe patterns observed in these studies. Research highlights changes measured during the study period, with studies describing patterns related to the maintenance of the required depth of anesthesia when the medicine was administered continuously. Furthermore, some trials involving comparisons reported measurements of time to emergence (waking up) and time to achieve criteria for hospital discharge.


Evidence for Use in Short Medical Procedures (Procedural Sedation)

Research exploring short-term symptom changes was evaluated in trials focused on medical procedures like endoscopies and colonoscopies, where deep sedation is required. These studies often used RCTs to compare Propofol against traditional sedatives. Researchers examined outcomes such as the ability to keep the patient still and unaware during the procedure, and measured patient-reported outcomes describing perceived discomfort.

Findings describe patterns observed in the studies, indicating that the medicine was studied for the successful attainment of deep sedation. Some trials reported measurements of time to recovery and time to return to baseline functional activity. Findings describe patterns related to the recovery and monitoring time in the procedural setting.


Evidence for Use in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Sedation

Research has explored the use of continuous Propofol infusion for providing sustained sedation in patients who are critically ill, particularly those requiring mechanical ventilation. Studies utilized RCTs to compare the medicine against other continuous sedative agents, tracking the duration of mechanical ventilation, the total length of stay in the ICU, and the ability to rapidly assess neurological status by briefly interrupting the infusion.

Studies report how symptoms evolved in the observed populations, describing patterns related to the maintenance of a consistent, titratable depth of sedation over days. Evidence includes reports that specifically documented the occurrence and monitoring of a metabolic complication known as Propofol Infusion Syndrome, which was observed in some studies during high-dose or prolonged use.


What is Still Uncertain or Under Research about Пофол

A primary area of uncertainty is the variability in patient response, where research highlights that individual variability was observed in the study populations. Evidence quality varies across studies, particularly regarding procedural sedation where co-administered drugs may influence outcomes. Data for certain groups remain insufficient, and information regarding long-term outcomes following either short-term or prolonged exposure is not fully established.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Пофол (FAQ)


Q: What is the typical duration of effect for a single dose of Пофол?

Official information describes Propofol as a short-acting agent. Following a single injection, the drug is rapidly distributed throughout the body. This prompt decrease in blood concentrations is what accounts for the quick onset of action and the rapid awakening after the dose is given.

Q: Are there any known interactions between Пофол and common blood pressure medicines?

Regulatory documents indicate that co-administration with other blood pressure-lowering medicines (antihypertensive agents) may increase the risk of more pronounced hypotension, which means severely low blood pressure.

Q: What happens if Пофол is mixed with strong pain relievers like opioids?

Propofol is known to be a Central Nervous System (CNS) depressant. Official product information notes that using Propofol alongside other CNS depressants, such as opioids, may lead to increased cardiorespiratory depressant effects, impacting heart and breathing function.

Q: Is it normal to feel a burning or stinging sensation where Пофол is injected?

Experiencing local pain at the injection site is officially documented as a Very Common side effect of Propofol. This means that this sensation is observed in a large number of patients receiving the medicine.

Q: Can a patient with liver or kidney disease safely be given Пофол?

Official guidance indicates that patients with severe systemic conditions may require a reduced initial dose and a slower rate of administration. This is done to mitigate their heightened sensitivity to the drug’s effects.

Q: Can I breastfeed immediately after receiving Пофол, or should I wait?

Information available to healthcare providers notes that amounts of Propofol that pass into breast milk are very small. Breastfeeding is typically managed based on the mother's recovery from the anesthetic procedure.

Q: How does Пофол affect a patient's blood pressure and heart rate?

Propofol commonly causes a decrease in arterial blood pressure (hypotension) and a slow heart rate (bradycardia). This effect is related to its mechanism of action, which includes reducing vascular resistance in the body.

Q: Does Пофол have amnesic properties, meaning it prevents memory formation?

The drug is formally indicated for inducing and maintaining a state of controlled unconsciousness and deep sedation. Because Propofol causes deep sedation, its action includes the loss of awareness and the inability to form memories during the period the drug is active.

Q: How does the elimination of Пофол from the body (excretion) typically happen?

The body processes Propofol mainly through the liver, breaking it down into inactive substances. These substances are then typically removed from the body primarily through the kidneys.

Q: What is the research evidence for using Пофол as a general sleep aid in the ICU?

Propofol is officially indicated for providing sustained sedation to patients who are on mechanical ventilation in the Intensive Care Unit. This use is intended to achieve a controlled, titratable state of non-waking sleep for critical care patients.

Q: Does combining Пофол with benzodiazepines increase the risk of side effects?

Official information indicates that co-administering Propofol with other Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants, which includes benzodiazepines, can increase the risk of additive effects. This is primarily a risk of more pronounced cardiorespiratory depression.

Q: What is the general safety profile of Пофол for patients with a history of seizures?

Regulatory documents advise that caution should be exercised when the medicine is used in patients with epilepsy or a history of seizures. This is because there may be an increased risk for more serious side effects.

Q: What is the maximum recommended duration for continuous infusion of Пофол for sedation?

For prolonged sedation in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), official guidance states that the continuous infusion should generally not exceed seven days. This restriction is in place due to safety concerns, including the potential for Propofol Infusion Syndrome (PRIS) with prolonged use.

Q: Does the speed of injection affect the experience or side effects of Пофол?

Official guidance indicates that administering the dose at a slower rate and titrating it is important. Rapid administration is associated with a greater risk of severe cardiorespiratory depression (serious heart and breathing issues), especially in older or debilitated patients.

Q: How common is it to experience dreams or unusual perceptions while under the influence of Пофол?

While under the influence or during recovery, official labeling lists psychological reactions such as euphoria and sexual disinhibition as uncommon side effects. These unusual perceptions may be part of the experience during emergence from anesthesia.

Q: Are there different brand names for the drug Пофол that patients might encounter?

Propofol is the generic name of the active ingredient. Globally, the drug is available under various brand names, with one of the common trade names being Diprivan.

Q: Are there any known risks for patients with high triglycerides or high cholesterol when using Пофол?

The medicine is contraindicated (should not be used) in patients with known disorders of fat metabolism. Patients with elevated fat or cholesterol levels typically require caution and enhanced monitoring.

Q: In what types of procedures is propofol sedation commonly used outside of the operating room?

The medicine is officially indicated for deep sedation for diagnostic and surgical procedures performed outside of general operating rooms. Common examples include procedures such as endoscopies and colonoscopies.

Q: Are there any studies on the long-term effects of using Пофол during pregnancy?

The medicine is not recommended for obstetrical anesthesia because it is known to cross the placenta. Official information does not establish the long-term outcomes following exposure during pregnancy.

Q: Are there any foods or supplements that are known to interact negatively with Пофол?

The known interactions focus primarily on combining Propofol with other medicines. However, official warnings also state that the medicine is formally contraindicated in patients with allergies to egg or soy products, as these are excipients used in the formulation.

How should Пофол be stored and disposed of?

How to Store and Dispose of Propofol Injectable Emulsion

The storage and handling of Propofol are defined by regulatory requirements to maintain the product's stability and prevent microbial contamination.

Storage and Stability Conditions

Propofol must be stored at Controlled Room Temperature, typically 20 C to 25 C, and must not be frozen. The product must be shaken well before use and should not be used if phase separation is visible. It is a single-use parenteral product, and administration must be completed within 12 hours of opening the vial.

Handling and Disposal

Strict aseptic technique must be maintained throughout handling. To ensure safety, any unused drug product and all administration components must be discarded at the 12-hour limit or end of the procedure. Disposal must comply with local pharmaceutical waste regulations, and the product must be stored out of the sight and reach of children.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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