Published 6 October 2009, doi:10.1136/bmj.b4024
Cite this as: BMJ 2009;339:b4024

Editorials

The safety of propofol

Is not disputed in the right hands and further controls are unnecessary

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Michael Jackson’s recent death, its classification as homicide, the ensuing intense media coverage of the drugs and circumstances involved, and his possible addiction have brought propofol to the attention of the general public. Three important questions have been asked. Is propofol addictive? Is it abused by healthcare staff? And should it ever be administered in an environment other than a hospital and by specially trained staff? It has even been suggested that its storage and use should be regulated.1

Propofol (2,6, di-isopropylphenol) was developed in the 1970s by Professor Iain Glenn at the Alderley Park laboratories of ICI Pharmaceuticals. It was first marketed as Diprivan and was introduced into clinical practice in 1986. It has become the most widely used intravenous induction agent in the United Kingdom (more than 5.5 million units were sold in the year ending June 2009).2 As a drug used for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia, . . . [Full text of this article]

Andrew Hartle, consultant anaesthetist, Surbhi Malhotra, consultant anaesthetist

1 Department of Anaesthesia, St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London W2 1NY

Andrew.Hartle@imperial.nhs.uk


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Relevant Article

Propofol is safely and widely used in emergency departments
Aruni Sen
BMJ 2009 339: b4620. [Extract] [Full Text]

This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Sen, A. (2009). Propofol is safely and widely used in emergency departments. BMJ 339: b4620-b4620 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Use of propofol
Aruni Sen
bmj.com, 27 Oct 2009 [Full text]
Propofol maybe too widely available outside appropriate hospital environments
Amit Patel
bmj.com, 27 Oct 2009 [Full text]
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