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Introduction About PROFOL INJECTION
PROFOL INJECTION contains Propofol which belongs to the group of medicines called General Anaesthetic agents. It is used to cause partial or complete loss of consciousness in patients so that surgical procedures can be performed. Unconsciousness caused by propofol is completely reversed once the effect of the medicine wears off. It can also be used to induce sleep in patients receiving artificial respiration in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
PROFOL INJECTION will be given to you only by a doctor or by a trained anesthesiologist into the vein (intravenously). It is suitable for use both in adults and in children (aged 1 month or older). It is mostly used in combination with other local anaesthetics to achieve faster results.
Before receiving PROFOL INJECTION inform your doctor if you have any liver, kidney or heart problems. You must also inform your doctor if you have fits, high blood cholesterol levels or dehydration as a precaution.
PROFOL INJECTION is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless considered necessary by the physician. Breastfeeding should be stopped for 24 hours or until the effect of the medicine completely wears off, as this medicine may pass to the nursing infant through the breast milk.
The most common side effects of receiving PROFOL INJECTION are pain, swelling and redness at the site of injection, low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, headache and flushing. Consult your doctor if any of these side effect worsens.
Uses Of PROFOL INJECTION
- Used to cause partial or complete loss of consciousness prior to surgical procedures
- Induces sleep in patients receiving artificial respiration in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
How PROFOL INJECTION Works
PROFOL INJECTION is a general anaesthetic agent. It produces loss of consciousness by potentiating the actions of certain brain chemicals (GABA) any by decreasing the flow of certain ions (chloride) across the nerve cells that is required to maintain alertness.
How to use PROFOL INJECTION
PROFOL INJECTION will be given to you only by a doctor or by a trained anesthesiologist into the vein (intravenously).
Your doctor/ anesthesiologist will decide the correct dose for you depending upon the age, body weight and disease condition.
Side Effects Of PROFOL INJECTION
Common
- injection site reactions (such as pain, redness and swelling)
- low blood pressure
- changes in breathing pattern
- slow heartbeat
- nausea, vomiting
- headache
- withdrawal symptoms (such as abnormal behaviour, increased sweating, shakiness and anxiety)
- flushing
Rare
- twitching and shaking of body
- fits
- unusual colour of urine
How To Manage Side Effects

Headache
Rest and relax. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Applying a pain-relieving balm on your forehead can be beneficial. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your headache. Consult your doctor if your headache worsens.

Injection Site Reactions
Place an ice pack on the injected site. Do not move the affected area frequently. If the symptom worsens, consult your doctor.

Nausea And Vomiting
Stick to simple meals and avoid oil rich or spicy foods. Consult your doctor if nausea worsens.
Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy
ContraindicatedPROFOL INJECTION is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless considered necessary by the physician. Therefore, inform your doctor before receiving it.

Breastfeeding
ContraindicatedBreastfeeding should be stopped for 24 hours or until the effect of the medicine completely wears off, as this medicine may pass to the nursing infant through the breast milk.

Driving and Using Machines
Use with CautionDo not drive or operate any heavy tools or machines until the effects of the medicine complete wears off

Alcohol
Consult your doctorAvoid consumption of alcohol before receiving PROFOL INJECTION.

Kidney
Use with CautionPROFOL INJECTION should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems. Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.

Liver
Use with CautionPROFOL INJECTION should be used with caution in patients with liver problems. Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.

Allergy
ContraindicatedInform your doctor before receiving PROFOL INJECTION, if you are allergic to Propofol.

Lungs
Use with CautionPROFOL INJECTION should be used with caution in patients with breathing disorders (such as asthma or COPD). Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.

Heart Disease
Use with CautionPROFOL INJECTION should be used with caution in patients with heart disorders. Therefore, consult your doctor before receiving it.
Others
Before receiving PROFOL INJECTION, inform your physician if you:
- ever had epilepsy (fits)
- have high blood cholesterol levels
- are dehydrated
- have mitochondrial diseases
- are generally unwell
Use in pediatrics:
PROFOL INJECTION should be used in children and adolescents (aged below 18 years) only if it is considered necessary by the physician. It is not recommended for use in neonates aged less than 1 month. Therefore, consult your doctor for advice before administration.
Use in geriatrics:
PROFOL INJECTION should be used with caution in the elderly patients. Therefore, consult your doctor for advice before receiving it.
Interactions
A. Drug-Drug interactions:
Before receiving PROFOL INJECTION, inform your doctor if you are receiving any of the following medicines:
- Rifampicin (a medicine used to manage tuberculosis)
Overdosage:
PROFOL INJECTION will be administered to you only by a doctor or a nurse in a hospital, and so it is unlikely to receive an overdose. However, consult your doctor or nurse if you experience any unusual symptoms.
Synopsis
Drug | : | Propofol |
Pharmacological Category | : | Fast Acting Intravenous anesthetics |
Therapeutic Indication | : | General Anaesthesia |
Dosage Forms | : | Injection, Infusion |
More Information
- Keep PROFOL INJECTION out of reach of children
- Store PROFOL INJECTION at room temperature
FAQs About PROFOL INJECTION
Q: What is the use of PROFOL INJECTION?
A: PROFOL INJECTION is used to cause partial or complete loss of consciousness in patients so that surgical procedures can be performed. It can also be used to induce sleep in patients receiving artificial respiration in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
Q: How long will it take for the effects of PROFOL INJECTION to wear off?
A: The effect of PROFOL INJECTION may wear off after 24 hours. However, this period may vary from person-to-person based on the dose administered.
Q: Can PROFOL INJECTION be used in children?
A: PROFOL INJECTION should be used in children and adolescents (aged below 18 years) only if it is considered necessary by the physician. It is not recommended for use in neonates aged less than 1 month. Therefore, consult your doctor for advice before administration.
Q: What are the side effects of receiving PROFOL INJECTION?
A: The most common side effects of receiving PROFOL INJECTION are pain, swelling and redness at the site of injection, low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, headache and flushing. Consult your doctor if any of these side effect worsens.
Q: Can PROFOL INJECTION be used during pregnancy?
A: PROFOL INJECTION is not recommended for use in pregnant women unless considered necessary by the physician. Therefore, inform your doctor before receiving it.
References
1. KD. Tripathi. General anesthetics. Essentials of medical pharmacology. 7th Edition. 2013. Page – 382.
2. Thomas B. Folino; Erind Muco; Anthony O. Safadi; Lance J. Parks. Propofol. StatPearls. NIH. National Library of Medicine. National Center for Biotechnology Information. PMC. PubMed central. July 2022. [Accessed on 3rd January 2023] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430884/
3. Aspen Pharma Trading Limited. Propofol 10mg/ml (1%) emulsion for injection or infusion propofol. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in April 2022] [Accessed on 3rd January 2023] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.5492.pdf
4. Baxter Healthcare Limited. Propofol 20 mg/ml Emulsion for injection/infusion. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in June 2022] [Accessed on 3rd January 2023] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/11294/smpc#gref