Have you ever had to undergo an operation, that is, surgery? Or have you ever had to undergo an examination using a camera inserted into the body, such as an endoscopy? In such a case, the doctors use a special drug to put you into a deep sleep for a while so that you do not feel any pain or discomfort, and you do not even remember the event. In our language, this is what we call "analgesia." There are several types of drugs used to induce anaesthetics in this way. Among them, one of the most widely used and important injections is Propofol. In this article, we will talk about what you need to know about this Propofol injection.
Simply put, what is Propofol?
Propofol is a general anesthetic . Specifically, it's a drug that puts you into a comfortable sleep before surgery or other medical procedures. It's given as an injection.
This drug works in a very strange way. It temporarily blocks the pain signals that travel directly to your brain. Imagine, when you feel pain somewhere in your body, that message travels along the nerves to the brain and you feel "Oh, that hurts." Propofol temporarily blocks that message from reaching the brain. Then, during the surgery, you don't feel any pain or discomfort. And because you're in a deep sleep, you don't remember anything that happens.
This medication may come under different brand names. For example, you may see Diprivan or Fresenius Propoven.
The important thing is, this is not like a regular painkiller. This is a very strong medication, and it is only given by a team of trained doctors, including anesthesiologists, in a fully equipped environment, such as a hospital intensive care unit.
Things you need to tell your doctor before giving you this medicine
After deciding to give you the Propofol injection, the anesthesiologist will ask you about your health. It is very important for your safety to give the truth without hiding anything at this time. Because people with certain diseases or allergies need to be very careful when giving this medicine.
If the information below applies to you, be sure to tell your medical team about it.
| Health condition/problem | Why should you notify? (Simple explanation) |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Be sure to tell us if you have an allergy to propofol itself, to eggs, soy, peanuts, sulfites, or any other medicine or food. |
| Heart Disease | If you have a heart condition, doctors should be aware of this as this medication may affect your heart rate or blood pressure. |
| High Cholesterol | Propofol is a fat emulsion. That is, it is an oily liquid. Therefore, caution should be exercised when administering it to people with high cholesterol or high blood fat levels. |
| Pancreatitis | Tell us if you have ever had or currently have pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas. |
| Kidney Disease | If kidney function is impaired, the process of removing medication from the body may be affected. |
| Seizures | If you have a migraine, it is very important to inform your doctors about it. |
| Head Injury | If you have recently had a head injury, doctors are concerned about the effects on the brain. |
| Pregnancy or expecting a baby | If you are pregnant or expecting a baby, it is essential to say so. |
| Breastfeeding | If you are a breastfeeding mother, seek medical advice about how long you should refrain from breastfeeding after surgery. |
How do you get this medicine?
This is not a medicine you can take home and use. Propofol is only given in a hospital or clinic by a trained medical team.
It is given through a cannula (intravenous infusion) into a vein. Simply put, this medicine is given into your body in the same way as saline is given into a vein in your arm. The anesthesiologist will decide how much medicine to give and how fast, depending on the amount of sleep you need and the nature of the surgery.
Can this medicine be given to small children?
Yes, in some special cases, this medicine is given to children as young as 2 months. But it is done with great caution and under special supervision. If you need to give this medicine to a child, your doctor will inform you about the relevant precautions in this regard.
What happens if you take too much medicine?
This is not something you can control. In the hospital, the medical team will continuously monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing, so the chances of an overdose are very low. If you suspect something like this, the standard procedure is to immediately report it to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) or the National Poisons Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital . However, since this medicine is given in a hospital setting, the medical team is fully responsible for it.
Other things that may interact with propofol
Other medications you take can affect how propofol works. Propofol can also change the way other medications work. So tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including vitamins, herbal supplements, and herbal remedies .
Propofol may interact with the following:
- Alcohol
- Benzodiazepines ( e.g., sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medications such as Diazepam and Lorazepam)
- Certain antihistamines (medicines for colds, coughs, and allergies)
- Some medications for depression (e.g. Amitriptyline)
- Some medications used for epilepsy (e.g. Phenobarbital)
- Other medications given to induce sleep before surgery
- Medications to help you sleep
- Muscle relaxants
- Opioids are strong painkillers or cough medicines.
- Certain medications for mental illness (e.g. Chlorpromazine)
- Valproate
It is very important to tell your doctor if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use other drugs.
What should you be careful about after receiving the medicine?
After the surgery is over and the propofol is stopped, you will gradually regain consciousness. However, it may take several hours or a day for the effects of the drug to fully wear off.
- Drowsiness: You may feel sleepy and sluggish for a while. This is normal.
- Decision-making and action ability: Your coordination, reaction time, and judgment may be temporarily impaired under the influence of this medication.
- Most important advice: Therefore, completely avoid driving, operating machinery, making important decisions, or signing legal documents for at least 24 hours after surgery.
- Dizziness: You may feel dizzy or faint when you suddenly stand up from a sitting or lying position. So get up quickly.
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol during this time can increase the above side effects, so avoid it completely.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, propofol can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them. You will be monitored closely by the medical team so that if there is a problem, they can act quickly.
| Side effect | Symptoms you are experiencing |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Central nervous system depression (CNS Depression) | Breathing that is very slow or shallow, shortness of breath, fainting, excessive sleepiness, difficulty staying awake. |
| Heart Rhythm Changes | Feeling like your heart is beating fast or irregularly, dizziness, fainting, chest pain. |
| Low Blood Pressure | Dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| Slow Heartbeat | Dizziness, fainting, difficulty breathing, feeling unusually tired. |
| Kidney Injury | Decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
| Liver Injury | Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark yellow/brown urine. |
| Muscle Injury | Unusual fatigue, muscle pain, dark urine, decreased urine output. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Drowsiness | It is normal to feel drowsy for a few hours after taking the medicine. |
| Pain at the injection site | There may be slight pain, redness, or inflammation at the site where the cannula was inserted. |
Can I take this medicine home?
No. This is very clear. Propofol is a drug that is only given in a hospital or clinic, under medical supervision. You will not be given this to keep or use at home for any reason.
Take-Home Message
- Propofol is a very important anesthetic drug used to relieve pain and discomfort and put you to sleep during surgeries and medical procedures.
- This is provided only in a hospital environment, by a trained medical team.
- It is essential for your safety to tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions, allergies, and all other medications you are taking.
- Avoid driving and performing tasks that require concentration for at least 24 hours after surgery.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe dizziness, or severe allergic symptoms, seek medical advice immediately.
- If you have any concerns or questions about this medication, talk to your doctor about it openly.
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