[Posted 06/15/2007] FDA
informed healthcare professionals about several clusters of
patients who experienced chills, fever, and body aches shortly
after receiving propofol for sedation or general anesthesia.
Multiple vials and several lots of propofol used in patients who
experienced these symptoms were tested and there was no evidence
that the propofol vials or prefilled syringes used were
contaminated with bacteria or endotoxins. Propofol is an
intravenous sedative-hypnotic agent for use in the induction and
maintenance of anesthesia or sedation. To minimize the potential
for bacterial contamination, propofol vials and prefilled syringes
should be used within six hours of opening and one vial should be
used for one patient only. Patients who develop fever, chills, body
aches or other symptoms of acute febrile reactions shortly after
receiving propofol should be evaluated for bacterial sepsis.
Healthcare professionals who administer propofol for sedation or
general anesthesia should carefully follow the recommendations for
handling and use in the product's full prescribing
information.