Propofol Side Effects

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

Applies to propofol: intravenous emulsion.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress closely while you are receiving this medicine to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests will be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Tell your doctor right away if you start to have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, mouth, or throat after receiving this medicine.

This medicine may cause propofol infusion syndrome, which can lead to more serious problems (eg, high potassium in the blood, high fat or cholesterol in the blood, rhabdomyolysis, enlarged liver, kidney failure, heart failure). Tell your doctor right away if you have chest pain or discomfort, confusion, dark-colored urine, dizziness, drowsiness, lightheadedness, fainting, fever, muscle cramps, spasms, pain, or stiffness, nausea, right upper abdominal or stomach pain and fullness, slow or irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, stomach cramps, unusual tiredness or weakness after receiving this medicine.

Check with you doctor right away if you have bluish lips or skin, blurred vision, choking, confusion, dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, drowsiness, pale skin, sweating, trouble breathing or speaking, unusual tiredness or weakness after receiving this medicine. These could be symptoms of a serious heart or lung problem.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

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:

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:

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]

See also:

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.

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