Course Summary

Propofol is a general anesthetic that has labeled uses for inducing and maintaining anesthesia, for monitored anesthesia during outpatient procedures, and for sedating critically ill patients who are mechanically ventilated. It has a rapid onset of action, and even when used for a prolonged period, the duration of effect is short, and the adverse effects of propofol are typically brief and benign. The following sections will discuss the basic pharmacologic profile of propofol, including the drug mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, labeled uses and dosing, contraindications, adverse effects, warnings and precautions, drug interactions, and the use of propofol during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There are separate sections on propofol infusion syndrome and propofol use disorder. A case study describing the potential effect of propofol upon serum triglyceride levels is included.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

• Introduction
• Pharmacological Profile
  • Pharmacokinetics
  • Labelled and Off-label Uses
  • Dosing
  • ASA Physical Status Classifications
  • Available Forms
  • Administration
  • Monitored Anesthesia Care and Sedation
  • Contraindications and Adverse Effects
  • Warnings and Precautions
  • Propofol Infusion Syndrome
  • Propofol Use Disorder
  • Drug Interactions
  • Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
• Case Study: Propofol-induced Hypertriglyceridemia
  • Discussion
• Summary

Author

Kellie Wilson, PharmD

Kellie Wilson is a Doctor of Pharmacy practicing in Anaconda, Montana, where she lives with her husband and four children. She attended the University of Montana in Missoula where she graduated in 2009 with a doctorate in pharmacy. She later worked in Boise, Idaho for a large, retail pharmacy for 2 years, and then returned home to Montana to oversee an independently owned retail and long-term care pharmacy in Anaconda. As an independent retail pharmacist she has become very involved in psychiatric pharmacy for two major behavioral health organizations that are located around all of Montana. Kellie’s passion is retail pharmacy because she enjoys the interactions with customers as well as the challenges and rewards of staying current with the continuous changes in the pharmacy field.