Diprivan, or propofol, is a short-acting sedative that is used primarily for the induction of generalanesthesiaand sedation in intensive care units. It is also used for minor outpatient procedures that requiremonitored anesthesia careto keep the patient calm, pain-free, and still.
Diprivan is a powerful medication, but it has a very short half-life, meaning the drug wears off very quickly. Many sedatives linger in the body for hours or days, making Diprivan the primary drug used for short periods of sedation.
Diprivan is packaged in a fat emulsion, giving it a thick, white, milk-like appearance.
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How It’s Given
Diprivan is given through an Intervenous (IV) injection. It may be given once, known as a bolus, to provide sedation that lasts 5 to 10 minutes, or it may be given as an IV drip for ongoing sedation as needed.
Uses
Diprivan is the drug of choice in many situations for sedation. The primary reason that Diprivan is used so extensively is the short period of time that it is effective. A single injection of Diprivan provides sedation for less than 10 minutes in most patients and takes effect very quickly. It can also be used for longer periods of sedation when needed.
Patients undergoing outpatient procedures, such as dental work or a colonoscopy, may be administered Diprovan to facilitate brief but deep sedation during the procedure. This allows the patient to sleep through the process and they do not feel any pain.
In the case of a major surgery, Diprivan is given to sedate the patient duringintubation, or the insertion of the breathing tubeprior togeneral anesthesia.
Diprivan is commonly used for the sickest patients in the ICU for weeks at a time during the healing process. It is given to calm patients who are agitated or anxious, or to help the patient tolerate being on aventilatorwithout resisting the breaths the ventilator delivers. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was used to sedate patients with severe coronavirus who require mechanical ventilation.
It is also effective at lowering intracranial pressure, or pressure building in the brain, which is a side effect of a traumatic brain injury or bleeding in the brain.For patients with increasing intracranial pressure who require sedation, Diprivan is a natural choice as it can provide both the needed sedation and helps treat the increasing pressure.
Diprivan is very short acting and wears off in less than 10 minutes for most patients. This gives the medical staff greater control over the level of sedation and also allows for the patient’s neurological status to be assessed without waiting for an extended period of time for the drug to wear off.
Recommendations
As with any sedative medication, there are numerous precautions to take when it comes to Diprivan. Here are a few:
A Word From Verywell
Diprivan is an IV medication that is commonly used for sedation during procedures and in the ICU when patients are on a ventilator. This medication is highly effective and has the added benefit of wearing off quickly when the infusion into the IV is stopped.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Diprivan (propofol) injectable emulsion, USP.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Diprivan (propofol) injectable emulsion, USP.Witenko CJ, Littlefield AJ, Abedian S, An A, Barie PS, Berger K.The safety of continuous infusion propofol in mechanically ventilated adults with coronavirus disease 2019.Ann Pharmacother. 2022;56(1):5-15. doi:10.1177/10600280211017315
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Diprivan (propofol) injectable emulsion, USP.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Diprivan (propofol) injectable emulsion, USP.Witenko CJ, Littlefield AJ, Abedian S, An A, Barie PS, Berger K.The safety of continuous infusion propofol in mechanically ventilated adults with coronavirus disease 2019.Ann Pharmacother. 2022;56(1):5-15. doi:10.1177/10600280211017315
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Diprivan (propofol) injectable emulsion, USP.U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Diprivan (propofol) injectable emulsion, USP.Witenko CJ, Littlefield AJ, Abedian S, An A, Barie PS, Berger K.The safety of continuous infusion propofol in mechanically ventilated adults with coronavirus disease 2019.Ann Pharmacother. 2022;56(1):5-15. doi:10.1177/10600280211017315
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Diprivan (propofol) injectable emulsion, USP.
Witenko CJ, Littlefield AJ, Abedian S, An A, Barie PS, Berger K.The safety of continuous infusion propofol in mechanically ventilated adults with coronavirus disease 2019.Ann Pharmacother. 2022;56(1):5-15. doi:10.1177/10600280211017315
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