Propofol Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 14, 2025.

Applies to propofol: intravenous emulsion.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Intravenous route (emulsion)

Emergency Use Authorization of Fresenius Propoven 2% Emulsion: Note important differences in formulation and labeling between the current US marketed FDA-approved Diprivan® injectable emulsion, USP 10 mg/mL products and Fresenius Propoven 2% emulsion.

See details in the Fact Sheet for Health Care Providers before administering Fresenius Propoven 2% emulsion.

Serious side effects of propofol

Along with its needed effects, propofol may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking propofol:

More common side effects

• blurred vision
• confusion
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• fast, slow, irregular, or pounding heartbeat or pulse
• headache
• nervousness
• pounding in the ears
• problems with movement
• sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness

Less common side effects

• bluish lips or skin
• chest pain or discomfort
• difficulty breathing
• lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

Rare side effects

• anxiety
• bleeding gums
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• changes in vision
• chills
• cloudy urine
• cough
• coughing up blood
• delirium or hallucinations
• difficult urination
• difficulty swallowing
• dry eyes, mouth, nose, or throat
• excessive muscle tone
• eye pain
• fever
• flushing or redness of the face
• general feeling of illness
• hives, itching, skin rash
• inability to move the eyes
• increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
• increased menstrual flow or vaginal bleeding
• increased watering of the mouth
• irritability
• joint pain or swelling
• loss of appetite
• mood or mental changes
• muscle aches, cramps, or pains
• muscle spasms or twitching
• muscle stiffness, tension, or tightness
• nausea or vomiting
• nosebleeds
• pain in the arms or legs
• prolonged bleeding from cuts
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• red or dark brown urine
• red or black, tarry stools
• restlessness
• shaking
• sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
• sore throat
• sticking out of tongue
• tightness in the chest
• trembling
• trouble sleeping
• trouble speaking
• uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs
• unusual facial expressions

Other side effects of propofol

Some side effects of propofol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common side effects

• bleeding, blistering, burning, coldness, discoloration of skin, feeling of pressure, hives, infection, inflammation, itching, lumps, numbness, pain, rash, redness, scarring, soreness, stinging, swelling, tenderness, tingling, ulceration, or warmth at the injection site

For healthcare professionals

Applies to propofol: intravenous emulsion.

Cardiovascular adverse events

• Very common (10% or more): Hypotension (75%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Hypertension, bradycardia
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, atrioventricular heart block, bigeminy, bundle branch block, cardiac arrest, ECG abnormal, edema, extrasystole, heart block, myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia, premature ventricular contractions, ST segment depression, supraventricular tachycardia, tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, extrasystole, syncope, chest pain, right heart failure
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Pulmonary edema, asystole, syncope, perioperative arrhythmias, cardiac arrest
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Cardiac failure
• Frequency not reported: Cardiac arrhythmia^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Very common (10% or more): Pruritus (28%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Transient flush, rash
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Conjunctival hyperemia, diaphoresis, urticaria^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Nausea, vomiting
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypersalivation, cramping, diarrhea, dry mouth, enlarged parotid, nausea, impaired swallowing, vomiting, ileus
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pancreatitis, abdominal cramps^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Urinary retention oliguria
• Rare (Less than 0.1%): Discoloration of the urine following prolonged use^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Frequency not reported: Hepatomegaly^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Anaphylaxis, in some cases with angioedema, bronchospasm, erythema, and hypotension (these reactions have been reported to respond to adrenaline)^[Ref]

Local

• Common (1% to 10%): Pain during injection (e.g., burning, tingling/slinging)
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Tissue necrosis following accidental extravascular administration
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hives/itching, phlebitis, redness/discoloration^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): BUN Increased, creatinine increased, dehydration, hyperglycemia, metabolic acidosis, osmolality increased
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia, hyperlipidemia^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Pain in extremities, trunk pain, whole body weakness, pain in extremities, neck rigidity/stiffness
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Rhabdomyolysis (when administered at doses greater than 4 mg/kg/hour for ICU sedation)^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Very common (10% or more): Paresthesia (74%), excitation phenomena such as involuntary movements, twitches, tremors, hypertonus, hiccup
• Common (1% to 10%): Headache, shivering
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Convulsions and seizures of the epileptic type
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Postoperative unconsciousness
• Frequency not reported: Involuntary movements^[Ref]

Paresthesias (including burning, tingling, stinging) and/or pruritus, usually manifested in the perineal region, were the most frequently recorded adverse reactions in clinical trials. Paresthesias and pruritus generally occurred within 5 minutes after administration of the initial dose and were generally transient and mild to moderate in intensity. The pharmacologic basis of these sensory phenomena is unknown. No pretreatments, including the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, or lidocaine, are known to have an effect on or to reduce the incidence of these sensations.^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Very common (10% or more): Hypoxemia (11%)
• Common (1% to 10%): Procedural pain (bronchoscopy), transient apnea, cough, respiratory acidosis during weaning
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Bronchospasm, burning in throat, cough, dyspnea, hiccough, hyperventilation, hypoventilation, hypoxia, laryngospasm, pharyngitis, sneezing, tachypnea, upper airway obstruction, apnea
• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Pulmonary edema^[Ref]

Renal

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Renal failure^[Ref]

Hematologic

• Common (1% to 10%): Thrombosis, phlebitis
• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hemorrhage, coagulation disorder, leukocytosis^[Ref]

Immunologic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sepsis^[Ref]

Ocular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Diplopia, eye pain, nystagmus^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Common (1% to 10%): Elation/euphoria
• Frequency not reported: Drug abuse and dependence^[Ref]

Other

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Fever, anticholinergic syndrome, ear pain, taste perversion, tinnitus^[Ref]

Further information

Propofol side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

Medical Disclaimer