Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Propofol Injection (Baxter)
What PROPOFOL INJECTION is used for:
PROPOFOL INJECTION is used:
in adults and children 3 years of age and older during surgery and other medical procedures to make the patient become unconscious (asleep).
- in adults in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and in other medical settings to keep patients sedated (a very relaxed state of calm, drowsiness or sleep).
How PROPOFOL INJECTION works:
PROPOFOL INJECTION belongs to a group of medicines called general anaesthetics. These types of medicines work by causing a loss of feeling and awareness that feels like being in a deep sleep.
The ingredients in PROPOFOL INJECTION are:
Medicinal ingredient(s): propofol
Non-medicinal ingredients: Egg Lecithin, Glycerol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Oleate, Soybean Oil and Water for injection
PROPOFOL INJECTION comes in the following dosage form(s):
Emulsion: 10 mg / mL (1% w / v)
Do not use PROPOFOL INJECTION if:
- In children under the age of 18 years for sedation during surgical/diagnostic procedures or in the intensive care unit (ICU).
- If you have ever received PROPOFOL INJECTION before and have experienced an allergic reaction to its use or if you know that you are allergic to propofol or any of the nonmedicinal
- ingredients (including eggs or egg products and soybeans or soy products) in PROPOFOL INJECTION (see What are the ingredients in PROPOFOL INJECTION)
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take PROPOFOL INJECTION. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including:
- All health problems you have now or have had in the past.
- Other medicines you take, including ones you can buy without a prescription.
If you have any other health problems such as problems with your:
- heart
- pancreas
- thyroid
- breathing
- kidneys or liver
or if you have been generally unwell for some time
- If you have ever had an epileptic fit or seizures.
- If you have ever been told that either you have very high fat levels in your blood or your body has problems in breaking down fat adequately.
- If you have diabetes.
If you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
Other warnings you should know about:
Driving and using machines: PROPOFOL INJECTION may temporarily interfere with your ability to drive or operate tools or machinery. You should not drive or operate machinery until all the effects of PROPOFOL INJECTION have worn off.
Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.
The following may interact with PROPOFOL INJECTION;
- Alfentanil (used as painkillers for initiating and/or maintaining general anesthesia).
- Dexmedetomidine (used to induce sedation (a very relaxed state of calm, drowsiness or sleep))
- Sevoflurane (used to induce and maintain general anesthesia)
- Midazolam (used to induce sedation (a very relaxed state of calm, drowsiness or sleep) and relieves anxiety and muscle tension).
- Opioid medicines, such as fentanyl (used to treat severe pain).
- Other medicines that have an effect on the nervous system, breathing and blood pressure.
Avoid alcohol before and for at least 8 hours after receiving PROPOFOL INJECTION.
How to take PROPOFOL INJECTION:
PROPOFOL INJECTION will be given to you by your anaesthesiologist or intensive care doctor.
Usual dose:
The dose given is decided by the healthcare professional based on the medical procedure it is being used for and your physical condition.
When Receiving PROPOFOL INJECTION
PROPOFOL INJECTION will be given to you as an injection into a vein, usually in the back of the hand or in the forearm. Your anaesthesiologist may use a needle. For long operations and for use in intensive care situations, an electric pump may be used to control the rate at which the injection is given.
Your anaesthesiologist or intensive care doctor will closely control the amount of PROPOFOL INJECTION that is given to you. The amount will be adjusted according to how deeply your anaesthesiologist or intensive care doctor wishes you to sleep or be sedated. He/she will also take account of your age and physical fitness and adjust the amount accordingly.
Several different medicines may be needed in order to keep you asleep or sedated, free from pain, breathing in a healthy way and to keep your blood pressure steady. Your anaesthesiologist or intensive care doctor will decide which medicines to use as the need arises.
If PROPOFOL INJECTION is used for a long time in intensive care situations, certain patients may need to be given zinc (a mineral) supplements.
After Receiving PROPOFOL INJECTION
You may feel some pain in the arm into which PROPOFOL INJECTION is given; this is normal.
Overdose:
If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much PROPOFOL INJECTION, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, regional poison control centre or Health Canada’s toll-free number, 1-844 POISON-X (1-844-764-7669) immediately, even if there are no signs or symptoms.
Possible side effects from using PROPOFOL INJECTION:
These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking PROPOFOL INJECTION. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.
| Frequency/Side Effect/Symptom | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking the/this drug (if applicable) and get immediate medical help | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Only if severe | In all cases | |||||
| During use of PROPOFOL INJECTION | ||||||
| Very common | ||||||
| A feeling of pain near the injection site | ||||||
| Common | ||||||
| A fall in blood pressure | ||||||
| A slower heart beat | ||||||
| Changes in your breathing pattern | ||||||
| Rare | ||||||
| Some twitching and shaking | ||||||
| Feeling of euphoria (sense of happiness) | ||||||
| Very rare | ||||||
Allergic reactions: swelling of face, hives, rash and itchiness, including anaphylactic shock and anaphylactoid reaction | ||||||
Fluid in the lungs: severe shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and wheezing, especially when lying down | ||||||
| Unknown | ||||||
| Discolouration of the urine | ||||||
Breakdown of muscle cells (rhabdomyolysis): muscle pain, muscle weakness and dark urine | ||||||
| After use of PROPOFOL INJECTION | ||||||
| Common | ||||||
| Nausea and vomiting | ||||||
| Headache | ||||||
| Uncommon | ||||||
| Redness or soreness where PROPOFOL INJECTION was given | ||||||
| Rare | ||||||
| Some twitching and shaking | ||||||
| Frequency/Side Effect/Symptom | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking the/this drug (if applicable) and get immediate medical help | ||||
| Only if severe | In all cases | |||||
| Feeling of euphoria (sense of happiness) | ||||||
| Very rare | ||||||
| Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis): long periods of pain in the stomach and/or intestine area may go around to your back. You may also vomit | ||||||
Fluid in the lungs: severe shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and wheezing, especially when lying down | ||||||
| Feeling hot, have increased body temperature or fever, or flushed skin | ||||||
| A feeling of sexual arousal or longlasting penile erection | ||||||
| Fainting or loss of consciousness | ||||||
| Unknown | ||||||
| Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), acute liver failure (symptoms can include yellowing skin and eyes, itching, dark coloured urine, stomach pain and liver tenderness (indicated by pain under the front of the rib cage on your right-hand side), sometimes with loss of appetite) | ||||||
If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health Canada by:
- Visiting the Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting (canada.ca/drug-device-reporting) for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or
- Calling toll-free at 1-866-234-2345.
NOTE: Contact your healthcare professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.
Storage:
Store the unopened vial of Propofol Injection between 15oC to 25oC. Protect from light. Do not freeze. Keep out of reach and sight of children.
If you want more information about PROPOFOL INJECTION:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes the Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada Drug Product
- Database website (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drugproducts/drug-product-database.html), the manufacturer’s website www.baxter.ca or by calling 1-888-719-9955.
Date of Authorization: DEC 12, 2025