Propofol Injectable Emulsion
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Propofol Injectable Emulsion
General Anesthetic [EPC] — INTRAVENOUS
Propofol Injectable Emulsion — General Anesthetic [EPC]. INDICATIONS AND USAGE Propofol injectable emulsion is an intravenous general anesthetic and sedation drug indicated for: • Induction of General…

Brand names
Propofol Injectable Emulsion
Active ingredients
PROPOFOL
Indications
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Propofol injectable emulsion is an intravenous general anesthetic and sedation drug indicated for: • Induction of General Anesthesia for Patients Greater than or Equal to 3 Years of Age • Maintenance of General Anesthesia for Patients Greater than or Equal to 2 Months of Age • Initiation and Maintenance of Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) Sedation in Adult Patients • Sedation for Adult Patients in Combination with Regional Anesthesia • Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Sedation of Intubated, Mechanically Ventilated Adult Patients Limitations of Use Propofol injectable emulsion is not recommended for induction of anesthesia below the age of 3 years or for maintenance of anesthesia below the age of 2 months because its safety and effectiveness have not been established in those populations [see Pediatric Use ( 8.4 )]. Safety, effectiveness and dosing guidelines for propofol injectable emulsion have not been established for MAC sedation in the pediatric population; therefore, it is not recommended for this use [see Pediatric Use ( 8.4 )] . Propofol injectable emulsion is not indicated for use in Pediatric ICU sedation since the safety of this regimen has not been established [see Pediatric Use ( 8.4 )]. Propofol injectable emulsion is an intravenous general anesthetic and sedation drug indicated for: • Induction of General Anesthesia for Patients Greater than or Equal to 3 Years of Age • Maintenance of General Anesthesia for Patients Greater than or Equal to 2 Months of Age • Initiation and Maintenance of Monitored Anesthesia Care (MAC) Sedation in Adult Patients • Sedation for Adult Patients in Combination with Regional Anesthesia • Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Sedation of Intubated, Mechanically Ventilated Adult Patients Limitations of Use : Propofol injectable emulsion is not recommended for induction of anesthesia below the age of 3 years or for maintenance of anesthesia below the age of 2months. MAC sedation in the pediatric population is not recommended propofol injectable emulsion is not indicated for use in Pediatric ICU sedation.
Dosage
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION See Full Prescribing Information for detailed dosing instructions. 2.1 Important Dosage and Administration Information Parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter and discoloration prior to administration whenever solution and container permit. Shake well before use. Do not use if there is evidence of excessive creaming or aggregation, if large droplets are visible, or if there are other forms of phase separation indicating that the stability of the product has been compromised. Slight creaming, which should disappear after shaking, may be visible upon prolonged standing. Do not use if there is evidence of separation of the phases of the emulsion. Propofol injectable emulsion with EDTA inhibits microbial growth for up to 12 hours, as demonstrated by test data for representative USP microorganisms. Product is packaged under nitrogen. For general anesthesia or monitored anesthesia care (MAC) sedation, propofol injectable emulsion should be administered only by persons trained in the administration of general anesthesia and not involved in the conduct of the surgical/diagnostic procedure. Sedated patients should be continuously monitored, and equipment for maintaining a patent airway, providing artificial ventilation, administering supplemental oxygen, and instituting cardiovascular resuscitation must be immediately available. Patients should be continuously monitored for early signs of hypotension, apnea, airway obstruction, and/or oxygen desaturation. These cardiorespiratory effects are more likely to occur following rapid bolus administration, especially in the elderly, debilitated, or ASA-PS III or IV patients. For sedation of intubated, mechanically ventilated adult patients in the Intensive Care Unit, propofol injectable emulsion should be administered only by persons skilled in the management of critically ill patients and trained in cardiovascular resuscitation and airway management. Guidelines for Aseptic Technique for General Anesthesia/MAC Sedation Propofol injectable emulsion must be prepared for use just prior to initiation of each individual anesthetic/sedative procedure. The vial rubber stopper should be disinfected using 70% isopropyl alcohol. Propofol injectable emulsion should be drawn into a sterile syringe immediately after a vial is opened. When withdrawing propofol injectable emulsion from vials, a sterile vent spike should be used. The syringe should be labelled with appropriate information including the date and time the vial was opened. Administration should commence promptly and be completed within 12 hours after the vial has been opened. Propofol injectable emulsion must be prepared for single dose only. Any unused propofol injectable emulsion drug product, reservoirs, dedicated administration tubing and/or solutions containing propofol injectable emulsion must be discarded at the end of the anesthetic procedure or at 12 hours, whichever occurs sooner. The intravenous line should be flushed every 12 hours and at the end of the anesthetic procedure to remove residual propofol injectable emulsion. [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] . Guidelines for Aseptic Technique for ICU Sedation Propofol injectable emulsion must be prepared for single dose only. Strict aseptic techniques must be followed. The vial rubber stopper should be disinfected using 70% isopropyl alcohol. A sterile vent spike and sterile tubing must be used for administration of propofol injectable emulsion. As with other lipid emulsions, the number of intravenous line manipulations should be minimized. Administration should commence promptly and must be completed within 12 hours after the vial has been spiked. The tubing and any unused propofol injectable emulsion drug product must be discarded after 12 hours. If propofol injectable emulsion is transferred to a syringe prior to administration, it should be drawn into a sterile syringe immediately after a vial is opened. When withdrawing propofol injectable emulsion from a vial, a sterile vent spike should be used. The syringe should be labelled with appropriate information including the date and time the vial was opened.Administration should commence promptly and be completed within 12 hours after the vial has been opened. Propofol injectable emulsion should be discarded and administration lines changed after 12 hours. [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.2 )] Administration with Lidocaine If lidocaine is to be administered to minimize pain on injection of propofol injectable emulsion, it is recommended that it be administered prior to propofol injectable emulsion administration or that it be added to propofol injectable emulsion immediately before administration and in quantities not exceeding 20 mg lidocaine/200 mg propofol injectable emulsion. [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.13 )] Compatibility and Stability Propofol injectable emulsion should not be mixed with other therapeutic agents prior to administration. Dilution Prior to Administration Propofol injectable emulsion is provided as a ready-to-use formulation. However, should dilution be necessary, it should only be diluted with 5% Dextrose Injection, USP, and it should not be diluted to a concentration less than 2 mg/mL because it is an emulsion. In diluted form it has been shown to be more stable when in contact with glass than with plastic (95% potency after 2 hours of running infusion in plastic). Administration with Other Fluids Compatibility of propofol injectable emulsion with the coadministration of blood/serum/plasma has not been established [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.15 )]. When administered using a y-type infusion set, propofol injectable emulsion has been shown to be compatible with the following intravenous fluids: • 5% Dextrose Injection, USP • Lactated Ringers Injection, USP • Lactated Ringers and 5% Dextrose Injection • 5% Dextrose and 0.45% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP • 5% Dextrose and 0.2% Sodium Chloride Injection, USP. Administration with Pumps When administering propofol injectable emulsion by infusion, syringe or volumetric pumps are recommended to provide controlled infusion rates. When infusing propofol injectable emulsion to patients undergoing magnetic resonance imaging, metered control devices may be utilized if mechanical pumps are impractical. Administration with Filters Clinical experience with the use of in-line filters and propofol injectable emulsion during anesthesia or ICU/MAC sedation is limited. Propofol injectable emulsion should only be administered through a filter with a pore size of 5 micron or greater unless it has been demonstrated that the filter does not restrict the flow of propofol injectable emulsion and/or cause the breakdown of the emulsion. Filters should be used with caution and where clinically appropriate. Continuous monitoring is necessary due to the potential for restricted flow and/or breakdown of the emulsion. 2.2 Induction of General Anesthesia for Patients Greater than or Equal to 3 Years of Age Adult Patients Most adult patients under 65 years of age and classified as ASA-PS I or II require 2 mg/kg to 2.5 mg/kg of propofol injectable emulsion. For induction, whether administered by infusion or intravenous injection the dose of propofol injectable emulsion to the patient should be titrated against the response of the patient and until there are clinical signs consistent with the onset of anesthesia. As with other sedative-hypnotic agents, the amount of intravenous opioid and/or benzodiazepine premedication may impact the dose of propofol injectable emulsion required for induction of general anesthesia. Elderly, Debilitated, or ASA-PS III or IV Patients Due to the reduced clearance and higher blood concentrations, most elderly, debilitated, or ASA-PS III or IV patients require approximately 1 mg/kg to 1.5 mg/kg of propofol injectable emulsion for induction of anesthesia. For induction, whether administered by infusion or intraven
Warnings
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Hypersensitivity Reactions : Serious and sometimes fatal reactions ( 5.1 ) Microbial Contamination : Strict aseptic technique must be maintained during handling. Propofol injectable emulsion vials are never to be accessed more than once or used on more than one person. Administration should commence promptly and be completed within 12 hours after the vial has been opened. Discard unused drug product. Do not use if contamination is suspected ( 5.2 ) Cardiovascular depression : Cases of bradycardia, asystole, and cardiac arrest have been reported. Pediatric patients are susceptible to this effect, particularly when fentanyl is given concomitantly ( 5.4 ) 5.1 Anaphylactic and Anaphylactoid Reactions Use of propofol injectable emulsion has been associated with both fatal and life threatening anaphylactic and anaphylactoid reactions. Clinical features of anaphylaxis, including angioedema, bronchospasm, erythema, and hypotension, occur rarely following propofol injectable emulsion administration. 5.2 Risks of Microbial Contamination Strict aseptic technique must always be maintained during handling. Propofol injectable emulsion is a single-dose parenteral product (single patient infusion vial) which contains 0.15% benzyl alcohol to inhibit the rate of growth of microorganisms, for up to 12 hours, in the event of accidental extrinsic contamination. However, propofol injectable emulsion can still support the growth of microorganisms, as it is not an antimicrobially preserved product under USP standards. Do not use if contamination is suspected. Discard unused drug product as directed within the required time limits. There have been reports in which failure to use aseptic technique when handling propofol injectable emulsion was associated with microbial contamination of the product and with fever, infection/sepsis, other life-threatening illness, and/or death. Propofol injectable emulsion vials are never to be accessed more than once or used on more than one person. There have been reports, in the literature and other public sources, of the transmission of bloodborne pathogens (such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV) from unsafe injection practices, and of the use of propofol vials intended for single use on multiple persons. 5.3 Risks of Pediatric Neurotoxicity Published animal studies demonstrate that the administration of anesthetic and sedation drugs that block NMDA receptors and/or potentiate GABA activity increase neuronal apoptosis in the developing brain and result in long-term cognitive deficits when used for longer than 3 hours. The clinical significance of these findings is not clear. However, based on the available data, the window of vulnerability to these changes is believed to correlate with exposures in the third trimester of gestation through the first several months of life, but may extend out to approximately three years of age in humans [see Animal Toxicology and/or Pharmacology ( 13.2 )] . Some published studies in children suggest that similar deficits may occur after repeated or prolonged exposures to anesthetic agents early in life and may result in adverse cognitive or behavioral effects. These studies have substantial limitations, and it is not clear if the observed effects are due to the anesthetic/sedation drug administration or other factors such as the surgery or underlying illness. Anesthetic and sedation drugs are a necessary part of the care of children needing surgery, other procedures, or tests that cannot be delayed, and no specific medications have been shown to be safer than any other. Decisions regarding the timing of any elective procedures requiring anesthesia should take into consideration the benefits of the procedure weighed against the potential risks. 5.4 Risks of Bradycardia, Asystole, and Cardiac Arrest Propofol injectable emulsion has no vagolytic activity. Reports of bradycardia, asystole, and rarely, cardiac arrest have been associated with propofol injectable emulsion. Pediatric patients are susceptible to this effect, particularly when fentanyl is given concomitantly. The intravenous administration of anticholinergic agents (e.g., atropine or glycopyrrolate) should be considered to modify potential increases in vagal tone due to concomitant agents (e.g., succinylcholine) or surgical stimuli. 5.5 Risk of Seizures When propofol injectable emulsion is administered to an epileptic patient, there is a risk of seizure during the recovery phase. 5.6 Neurosurgical Anesthesia When propofol injectable emulsion is used in patients with increased intracranial pressure or impaired cerebral circulation, significant decreases in mean arterial pressure should be avoided because of the resultant decreases in cerebral perfusion pressure. To avoid significant hypotension and decreases in cerebral perfusion pressure, an infusion or slow bolus should be utilized instead of rapid, more frequent, and/or larger boluses of propofol injectable emulsion. Slower induction, titrated to clinical responsed, will generally result in reduced induction dosage requirements (1 mg/kg to 2 mg/kg). When increased ICP is suspected, hyperventilation and hypocarbia should accompany the administration of propofol injectable emulsion [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.1 )]. 5.7 Cardiac Anesthesia Slower rates of administration should be utilized in premedicated patients, geriatric patients, patients with recent fluid shifts, and patients who are hemodynamically unstable. Fluid deficits should be corrected prior to administration of propofol injectable emulsion. In those patients where additional fluid therapy may be contraindicated, other measures, e.g., elevation of lower extremities, or use of pressor agents, may be useful to offset the hypotension which is associated with the induction of anesthesia with propofol injectable emulsion. 5.8 Use for Intensive Care Unit Sedation of Intubated, Mechanically Ventilated Adult Patients The administration of propofol injectable emulsion should be initiated as a continuous infusion and changes in the rate of administration made slowly (>5 min) in order to minimize hypotension and avoid acute overdosage [see Overdosage ( 10 ) and Dosage and Administration ( 2.5 )]. Patients should be monitored for early signs of significant hypotension and/or cardiovascular depression, which may be profound. These effects are responsive to discontinuation of propofol injectable emulsion, intravenous fluid administration, and/or vasopressor therapy. In the elderly, debilitated, or ASA-PS III or IV patients, rapid (single or repeated) bolus administration should not be used during sedation in order to minimize undesirable cardiorespiratory depression. As with other sedative medications, there is wide interpatient variability in propofol injectable emulsion dosage requirements, and these requirements may change with time. Failure to reduce the infusion rate in patients receiving propofol injectable emulsion for extended periods may result in excessively high blood concentrations of the drug. Thus, titration to clinical response and daily evaluation of sedation levels are important during use of propofol injectable emulsion infusion for ICU sedation, especially when it is used for long durations. Opioids and paralytic agents should be discontinued and respiratory function optimized prior to weaning patients from mechanical ventilation. Infusions of propofol injectable emulsion should be adjusted to maintain a light level of sedation prior to weaning patients from mechanical ventilatory support. Throughout the weaning process, this level of sedation may be maintained in the absence of respiratory depression. Abrupt discontinuation of propofol injectable emulsion prior to weaning or for daily evaluation of sedation levels should be avoided. This may result in rapid awakening with associated anxiety, agitation, and resistance to mechanical ventilation. It is therefore recommended that administration of p
Contraindications
CONTRAINDICATIONS Propofol injectable emulsion is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to propofol or any of propofol injectable emulsion components. Propofol injectable emulsion is contraindicated in patients with a history of anaphylaxis to eggs, egg products, soybeans or soy products. Known hypersensitivity to propofol, egg or soybean ( 4 )
Drug interactions
DRUG INTERACTIONS Opioids and Sedatives The induction dose requirements of propofol injectable emulsion may be reduced in patients with intramuscular or intravenous premedication, particularly with opioids (e.g., morphine, meperidine, and fentanyl, etc.) and combinations of opioids and sedatives (e.g., benzodiazepines, barbiturates, chloral hydrate, droperidol, etc.). These agents may increase the anesthetic or sedative effects of propofol injectable emulsion and may also result in more pronounced decreases in systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial pressures and cardiac output. In pediatric patients, administration of fentanyl concomitantly with propofol injectable emulsion may result in serious bradycardia. Analgesic Agents During maintenance of anesthesia or sedation, the rate of propofol injectable emulsion administration should be adjusted according to the desired level of anesthesia or sedation and may be reduced in the presence of supplemental analgesic agents (e.g., nitrous oxide or opioids). The concurrent administration of potent inhalational agents (e.g., isoflurane, sevoflurane, desflurane, enflurane, and halothane) during maintenance with propofol injectable emulsion are routinely used. These inhalational agents can also be expected to increase the anesthetic or sedative and cardiorespiratory effects of propofol injectable emulsion. Valproate The concomitant use of valproate and propofol may lead to increased blood levels of propofol. Reduce the dose of propofol when co-administering with valproate. Monitor patients closely for signs of increased sedation or cardiorespiratory depression. Common Neuromuscular Blocking Agents Propofol injectable emulsion does not cause a clinically significant change in onset, intensity or duration of action of the commonly used neuromuscular blocking agents (e.g., succinylcholine and nondepolarizing muscle relaxants). Common Drugs Used as Premedication or Drugs Used During Anesthesia or Sedation No significant adverse interactions with commonly used premedications or drugs used during anesthesia or sedation (including a range of muscle relaxants, inhalational agents, analgesic agents, and local anesthetic agents) have been observed in adults. Opioids, Sedatives or Other Analgesic Agents : May increase the anesthetic/sedative and cardiorespiratory effects ( 7 ) Valproate : May lead to increased blood levels of propofol ( 7 )
Adverse reactions
ADVERSE REACTIONS The following serious or otherwise important adverse reactions are discussed elsewhere in the labeling: • Hypersensitivity reaction [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )] • Hypotension and/or bradycardia [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.4 )] • Propofol Infusion Syndrome [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.9 )] In the description below, rates of the more common events represent U.S/Canadian clinical study results. Less frequent events are also derived from publications and marketing experience in over 8 million patients; there are insufficient data to support an accurate estimate of their incidence rates. These studies were conducted using a variety of premedicants, varying lengths of surgical/diagnostic procedures, and various other anesthetic/sedative agents. Most adverse events were mild and transient. Clinical Trials Experience Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in practice. Anesthesia and MAC Sedation in Adults The following estimates of adverse events for propofol include data from clinical trials in general anesthesia/MAC sedation (N=2889 adult patients). The adverse events listed below as probably causally related are those events in which the actual incidence rate in patients treated with propofol was greater than the comparator incidence rate in these trials. Therefore, incidence rates for anesthesia and MAC sedation in adults generally represent estimates of the percentage of clinical trial patients which appeared to have probable causal relationship. The adverse experience profile from reports of 150 patients in the MAC sedation clinical trials is similar to the profile established with propofol during anesthesia (see Table 3 below). During MAC sedation clinical trials, significant respiratory events included cough, upper airway obstruction, apnea, hypoventilation, and dyspnea. Anesthesia in Pediatric Patients Generally, the adverse experience profile from reports of 506 propofol pediatric patients from 6 days through 16 years of age in the U.S/Canadian anesthesia clinical trials is similar to the profile established with propofol during anesthesia in adults. Although not reported as an adverse event in clinical trials, apnea is frequently observed in pediatric patients. ICU Sedation in Adults The following estimates of adverse events include data from clinical trials in ICU sedation (N=159 adult patients). Probably related incidence rates for ICU sedation were determined by individual case report form review. Probable causality was based upon an apparent dose response relationship and/or positive responses to rechallenge. In many instances the presence of concomitant disease and concomitant therapy made the causal relationship unknown.Therefore, incidence rates for ICU sedation generally represent estimates of the percentage of clinical trial patients which appeared to have a probable causal relationship. Table 2. Treatment Emergent Adverse Events Observed from Clinical Trials Anesthesia/MAC Sedation ICU Sedation Body as a Whole: Anaphylaxis/Anaphylactoid reaction perinatal disorder, tachycardia, bigeminy, bradycardia, premature ventricular contractions, hemorrhage, ECG abnormal arrhythmia atrial, fever, extremities pain , anticholinergic syndrome, asthenia, awareness, chest pain, extremities pain, fever,increased drug effect, neck rigidity/stiffness, trunk pain Fever, sepsis, trunkpain, whole body weakness Cardiovascular: Premature atrial contractions Syncope, hypotension [see also Clinical Pharmacology ( 12 )], tachycardia Nodal,arrhythmia Bradycardia, arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, atrioventricular heart block, bigeminy, bleeding, bundle branch block, cardiac arrest, ECG abnormal, edema, extrasystole, heart block, hypertension, myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia, premature ventricular contractions, ST segment depression, supraventricular tachycardia, tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation Bradycardia, decreased cardiac output, arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, bigeminy, cardiac arrest, extrasystole, rightheart failure, ventricular tachycardia Central Nervous System: Hypertonia/Dystonia, paresthesia, movement, abnormal dreams, agitation, amorous behavior, anxiety, bucking/jerking/thrashing, chills/shivering/clonic/myoclonic movement, combativeness, confusion, delirium, depression, dizziness, emotional lability, euphoria, fatigue, hallucinations, headache, hypotonia, hysteria, insomnia, moaning, neuropathy, opisthotonos, rigidity, seizures, somnolence, tremor, twitching Agitation, hypotension, hills/shivering, intracranial hypertension, seizures, somnolence, thinking abnormal Digestive: Hypersalivation, nausea, cramping, diarrhea, dry mouth, enlarged parotid, nausea, swallowing, vomiting Ileus, liver function abnormal Hemic/Lymphatic: Leukocytosis, coagulation disorder, leukocytosis Injection Site: Phlebitis, pruritus, burning/Stinging or pain, hives/itching, phlebitis, redness/discoloration Metabolic/Nutritional: hypomagnesemia, hyperkalemia, hyperlipemia BUN increased, creatinine increased, dehydration, hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, osmolality increased, hyperlipemia Musculoskeletal: Myalgia Nervous: Dizziness, agitation, chills, somnolenceDelirium Respiratory: Wheezing, cough, laryngospasm, hypoxia, apnea, bronchospasm, burning in throat,dyspnea, hiccough, hyperventilation, hypoventilation, pharyngitis, sneezing, tachypnea, upper airway obstruction Decreased lung function, respiratory acidosis during weaning, hypoxia Skin and Appendages: Flushing, Pruritus, rash,conjunctival hyperemia, diaphoresis, urticaria Rash Special Senses: Amblyopia, vision abnormal, diplopia, ear pain, eye pain, nystagmus, taste perversion, tinnitus Urogenital: Cloudy urine, oliguria, urine retention Green urine, kidneyfailure Postmarketing Experience During the post-marketing period, there have been rare reports of local pain, swelling, blisters, and/or tissue necrosis following accidental extravasation of propofol injectable emulsion [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.14 )]. Venous sequelae, i.e., phlebitis or thrombosis, have been reported rarely (<1%). The most common adverse reactions >1% were bradycardia, arrhythmia, tachycardia, hypotension, hypertension, decreased cardiac output, movement, apnea, respiratory acidosis during weaning, rash, pruritus, burning/stinging or pain at injection site, and hyperlipemia ( 6 ). To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Inc., at 1-888-375-3784 or FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch .
Mechanism of action
Mechanism of Action The mechanism of action, like all general anesthetics, is poorly understood. However, propofol is thought to produce its sedative/anesthetic effects by the positive modulation of the inhibitory function of the neurotransmitter GABA through the ligand-gated GABA A receptors.
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43598-26543598-54843598-549
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Source: openFDA + RxNorm · 2026
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