Consumer medicine information

Diprivan

Propofol

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Diprivan

Active ingredient

Propofol

Schedule

SUMMARY CMI

DIPRIVAN injection

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary

The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

1. Why am I using DIPRIVAN?

DIPRIVAN contains the active ingredient propofol. DIPRIVAN is used for general anaesthesia and sedation.

For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using DIPRIVAN? in the full CMI.

2. What should I know before I am given DIPRIVAN?

Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to propofol or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.

Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, are pregnant, could be pregnant or are breastfeeding.

For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I am given DIPRIVAN? in the full CMI.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Some medicines may interfere with DIPRIVAN and affect how it works.

A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.

4. How DIPRIVAN is given?

DIPRIVAN is given by an injection by your anaesthetist.
The amount of DIPRIVAN you are given will be decided by your anaesthetist.

More instructions can be found in Section 4. How DIPRIVAN is given? in the full CMI.

5. What should I know while receiving DIPRIVAN?

Things you should do	Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are receiving DIPRIVAN.
Driving or using machines	Do not drive a car or operate machinery.
Looking after your medicine	DIPRIVAN will be stored by your doctor or pharmacist under the recommended conditions. It should be stored between 2°C and 25°C; it must not be frozen.

For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while receiving DIPRIVAN? in the full CMI.

6. Are there any side effects?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well after you have been given DIPRIVAN.

Some of the common side effects include feeling like fainting, having difficulty breathing, pain during injection, elation or euphoria, headache, shivering, feeling sick or vomiting, cough, skin rash.

Some serious side effects include muscle pain, severe upper stomach pain and breathlessness.

For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.

FULL CMI

DIPRIVAN injection

Active ingredient: propofol

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about using DIPRIVAN.

You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about using DIPRIVAN.

Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I using DIPRIVAN?
2. What should I know before I am given DIPRIVAN?
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
4. How DIPRIVAN is given?
5. What should I know while receiving DIPRIVAN?
6. Are there any side effects?
7. Product details

1. Why am I using DIPRIVAN?

DIPRIVAN contains the active ingredient propofol.

General anaesthesia: DIPRIVAN is used as a short-acting general anaesthetic that can be given into the blood stream through a needle. It is used in adults and children aged one month and older.

A general anaesthetic is a medicine which produces general anaesthesia. This is the condition of heavy sleep needed during surgery. Short-acting means that a patient goes to sleep quickly, usually within 30 seconds of receiving DIPRIVAN, but then wakes up quickly as it wears off. It can be used for very short operations when only one injection or dose is needed. DIPRIVAN can be used for longer operations if more is given as repeat doses (maintenance anaesthesia). It can be used to start off an anaesthetic (induction anaesthesia). This means that the anaesthetist may change over to a gas anaesthetic after you have gone to sleep.

Sedation: DIPRIVAN can also be given to adults slowly in low doses if you need to be sedated or sleepy, but do not need the heavy sleep of anaesthesia. Some people require DIPRIVAN for this as after some operations it is useful to keep a patient sedated while they are in the intensive care area. Your anaesthetist may need to give you a pain-relieving or relaxing medicine.

Every anaesthetic is different and depends on the particular operation, procedure or medical care you are having.

2. What should I know before I am given DIPRIVAN?

Warnings

Do not use DIPRIVAN if:

you are allergic to propofol or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.

Check with your doctor if you:

have or have had any of these medical conditions:

epilepsy
a very high blood fat level. This warning only applies to very rare conditions, not the more common high blood cholesterol.
any other health problems such as problems with your heart, breathing, kidneys or liver or if you have been generally unwell for some time.
are taking any other medicines for any other condition.

During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Check with your doctor or anaesthetist if you are pregnant, could be pregnant or if you are breastfeeding.

It may be necessary to defer an operation or procedure or use different anaesthetics if you are pregnant or breast feeding.

Use in children

Do not give DIPRIVAN to children younger than one month of age for general anaesthesia.
Do not give DIPRIVAN to children 16 years or younger for sedation.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.

This is important especially if you are on any strong pain relievers, heart medication, medicines used to produce calmness or help you sleep or medicines that you buy at the pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop yourself.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect DIPRIVAN.

4. How DIPRIVAN is given?

How much is given

The amount of DIPRIVAN you are given will be decided by your anaesthetist.

The dose of DIPRIVAN will be adjusted to keep you at the right depth of sleep or sedation. The dose of DIPRIVAN needed for sedation is less than that needed for anaesthesia.

If you are older, a child, or have some kind of heart trouble, your anaesthetist may be able to use lower doses to get the right depth of sleep or sedation.

How DIPRIVAN is administered

DIPRIVAN is given by an injection into a vein, usually in the forearm or the back of the hand. Your anaesthetist may use a fine plastic tube called a cannula.

DIPRIVAN may be given via a syringe driver or by a computer controlled pump called the Diprifusor^® under the immediate supervision of the anaesthetist. In longer operations, or if you are having DIPRIVAN to sedate you, the anaesthetist may use an electric pump to control or slow the injection.

If you are given too much DIPRIVAN

The doctor giving you DIPRIVAN will be experienced in the use of anaesthetics so it is unlikely that you will be given an overdose.

Whenever you are given DIPRIVAN, equipment will be available to help you if an overdose happens.

If any overdose occurs, you should immediately:

phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling 13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.

You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

You may need urgent medical attention.

5. What should I know while receiving DIPRIVAN?

Your anaesthetist, surgeon and nursing staff are trained to look after every need that you have while you are asleep or sedated. If you are receiving DIPRIVAN for general anaesthesia the anaesthetist may need to use several different medicines to keep you asleep, pain free, breathing in a healthy way and with good blood pressure.

If you are receiving DIPRIVAN for sedation, other drugs will usually be given at the same time for pain relief. The mix and doses of drugs needs to be chosen by specially-trained doctors and adjusted for each patient according to need.

Driving or using machines

Do not drive a car or operate machinery.

After receiving DIPRIVAN your ability to drive a car or to operate machinery may be affected for some time.

Looking after your medicine

DIPRIVAN will be stored by your doctor or pharmacist under the recommended conditions.

It should be stored between 2°C and 25°C. It must not be frozen.

When to discard your medicine

Each new pre-filled syringe of DIPRIVAN is only for single patient use. The hospital staff looking after you will dispose of any remaining DIPRIVAN appropriately.

6. Are there any side effects?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well after you have been given DIPRIVAN.

All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.

People usually wake up quickly after anaesthesia with DIPRIVAN. Some of the unwanted effects of DIPRIVAN are the result of sleep being too light or too deep. Your anaesthetist will reduce the dose of DIPRIVAN if your blood pressure is too low or if you need help breathing. The dose may be increased if you move or wriggle a bit. Other medicines may be needed if your heart rate becomes too slow or irregular.

See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

Less serious side effects

Less serious side effects	What to do
feeling like fainting having difficulty breathing pain during injection elation or euphoria headache shivering feeling sick or vomiting cough skin rash.	Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of these side effects and they worry you. These are common side effects of DIPRIVAN.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects	What to do
muscle pain severe upper stomach pain breathlessness.	Tell your doctor or nurse immediately if you notice any of these serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention. Serious side effects are rare.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.

Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects

After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

7. Product details

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

What DIPRIVAN contains

Active ingredient (main ingredient)	propofol 10 mg/1 mL
Other ingredients (inactive ingredients)	glycerol soya oil egg lecithin sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment) disodium edetate water for injections.
Potential allergens	egg lecithin soya oil.

Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

What DIPRIVAN looks like

DIPRIVAN is a milky, white liquid available in a 50 mL pre-filled glass syringe. Pack size of 1 syringe.

Australian Registration number: AUST R 75562.

Who distributes DIPRIVAN

Aspen Pharmacare Australia Pty Ltd
34-36 Chandos St
St Leonards NSW 2065
Australia

This leaflet was revised in June 2025.

Published by MIMS August 2025

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Diprivan

Active ingredient

Propofol

Schedule

1 Name of Medicine

Propofol.

2 Qualitative and Quantitative Composition

Propofol 10 mg/mL.
Contains egg lecithin and soya oil. For the full list of excipients, see Section 6.1 List of Excipients.

3 Pharmaceutical Form

A white or almost white, homogenous emulsion for injection or infusion, practically free from extraneous particulate contamination and large oil droplets. Slight creaming may be visible on prolonged standing.

4 Clinical Particulars

4.1 Therapeutic Indications

Induction of general anaesthesia in children and adults.

Diprivan is a short-acting intravenous anaesthetic agent suitable for induction of general anaesthesia in adults and children aged one month and older.

Maintenance of general anaesthesia in children and adults.

Diprivan is a short-acting intravenous anaesthetic agent suitable for maintenance of general anaesthesia in adults and children aged 3 years and older.
Diprivan may also be used for the maintenance of general anaesthesia in children aged from one month to 3 years for procedures not exceeding 60 minutes, unless alternative anaesthetic agents should be avoided.
Diprivan has no analgesic properties.

Sedation during intensive care in adults.

Diprivan may also be used in adults for sedation of ventilated patients receiving intensive care.

Conscious sedation for surgical and diagnostic procedures in adults.

Diprivan may also be used in adults for monitored conscious sedation for surgical and diagnostic procedures.

4.2 Dose and Method of Administration

Strict aseptic technique must always be maintained during handling. Diprivan injection is a single patient use only parenteral product which contains 0.005% disodium edetate to retard the rate of growth of microorganisms in the event of accidental extrinsic contamination. However, Diprivan injection can still support the growth of microorganisms as it is not an antimicrobially preserved product. Accordingly, strict aseptic technique must still be adhered to. Do not use if contamination is suspected. Discard unused portions as directed within the required time limits (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use, Aseptic technique; Section 6.3 Shelf Life). There have been reports in which failure to use aseptic technique when handling Diprivan injection was associated with microbial contamination of the product and with fever, infection/sepsis, other life threatening illness, and/or death¹.
For specific guidance relating to the administration of Diprivan using the Diprifusor target controlled infusion (TCI) system, which incorporates Diprifusor TCI software, see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration, Method of administration below. Such use is restricted to induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia in adults. The Diprifusor TCI system is not recommended for use in ICU sedation or monitored conscious sedation, or in children.

Adults.

Induction of general anaesthesia.

Diprivan may be used to induce anaesthesia by slow bolus injection or infusion.
In unpremedicated and in premedicated patients, it is recommended that Diprivan should be titrated (approximately 4 mL (40 mg) every 10 seconds in an average healthy adult) against the response of the patient until the clinical signs show the onset of anaesthesia. Most adult patients aged less than 55 years are likely to require between 2.0 and 2.5 mg/kg of Diprivan. In elderly patients, requirements will be generally less (see Elderly patients). In general, slower rates of infusion at induction results in a lower induction dose requirement and greater haemodynamic stability. In patients of ASA grades III or IV, lower rates of administration should be used (approximately 2 mL (20 mg) every 10 seconds).
Recovery from induction doses usually occurs within 5 to 10 minutes.

Maintenance of general anaesthesia.

Anaesthesia can be maintained by administering Diprivan either by continuous infusion or by repeat bolus injections to maintain the depth of anaesthesia required. Experience in procedures lasting more than one hour is limited.

Continuous infusion.

The required rate of administration varies considerably between patients, but rates in the region of 0.067 to 0.2 mg/kg/minute (4 to 12 mg/kg/hour) usually maintain satisfactory anaesthesia.

Repeat bolus injections.

If a technique involving repeat bolus injections is used, increments of 25 mg (2.5 mL) to 50 mg (5.0 mL) may be given according to clinical need.

Sedation during intensive care.

When used to provide sedation for ventilated adult patients undergoing intensive care, it is recommended that Diprivan be given by continuous infusion. The infusion rate should be adjusted according to the depth of sedation required but rates in the region of 1.0 to 3.0 mg/kg/hour should achieve satisfactory sedation. Infusion rates greater than 4.0 mg/kg/hour are not recommended.
Diprivan is contraindicated for sedation in children as safety and efficacy have not been demonstrated. Although no causal relationship has been established, serious adverse events (including fatalities) have been observed from spontaneous reports of unregistered use. These events were seen more frequently in children with respiratory tract infections (including croup) given doses in excess of those recommended for adults. Lipaemia and an evolving metabolic acidosis may be precursors of fatal outcomes.
Administration of Diprivan by a Diprifusor TCI system is not recommended for sedation during intensive care.

Monitored conscious sedation for surgical and diagnostic procedures.

Diprivan is contraindicated for sedation in children as safety and efficacy have not been demonstrated.
To provide sedation for surgical and diagnostic procedures rates of administration should be individualised and titrated to clinical response.
Most patients will require 0.5 to 1 mg/kg over 1 to 5 minutes for onset of sedation.
Maintenance of sedation may be accomplished by titrating Diprivan infusion to the desired level of sedation; most patients will require 1.5 to 3.0 mg/kg/hour. In addition to the infusion, bolus administration of 10 to 20 mg may be used if a rapid increase in the depth of sedation is required. In patients in ASA grades III or IV (according to the classification of the American Society of Anaesthesiologists) and in the elderly, the rate of administration and dosage may need to be reduced. Patients should not be discharged for at least three hours after the procedure.
Monitored conscious sedation in patients should be continuously monitored by persons not involved in the conduct of the surgical or diagnostic procedure. Oxygen supplementation should be immediately available and provided where clinically indicated; oxygen saturation should be monitored in all patients. Patients should be continuously monitored for early signs of hypotension, apnoea, airway obstruction and/or oxygen desaturation. These cardiorespiratory effects are more likely to occur following rapid initiation (loading) boluses or during supplemental maintenance boluses, especially in the elderly, debilitated or ASA grades III or IV patients. Patients should be monitored during sedation and recovered according to the standards of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.
Administration of Diprivan by a Diprifusor TCI system is not recommended for monitored conscious sedation.

Elderly patients.

In elderly patients the dose requirement for induction of anaesthesia with Diprivan is reduced. The reduction should take account of the physical status and age of the patient. The reduced dose should be given at a slower rate and titrated against the response. Induction infusion rates of 300 mL/hour (50 mg/minute) are associated with less hypotension and apnoea in elderly patients. Where Diprivan is used for maintenance of anaesthesia or sedation the rate of infusion or target concentration should also be reduced. Patients of ASA grades III and IV will require further reductions in dose and dose rate. Rapid bolus administration (single or repeated) should not be used in the elderly unventilated patient as this may lead to apnoea.
A rapid bolus may also depress cardiac function.

Paediatric use.

Precautions for paediatric use.

Administration of Diprivan by a Diprifusor TCI system is not recommended for any indication in children.

Induction of general anaesthesia.

Diprivan is suitable for induction of general anaesthesia in children aged one month and older. Diprivan is not recommended for use in infants less than one month old.
When used to induce anaesthesia in children, it is recommended that Diprivan be given slowly until the clinical signs show the onset of anaesthesia. The dose should be adjusted for age and/or weight. Most patients over 8 years of age are likely to require approximately 2.5 mg/kg of Diprivan for induction of anaesthesia. Under this age the requirement may be more. Lower dosage is recommended for children of ASA grades III or IV.

Maintenance of general anaesthesia.

Diprivan may also be used for maintenance of general anaesthesia in children aged from one month to 3 years for procedures not exceeding 60 minutes, unless alternative anaesthetic agents should be avoided. Diprivan is not recommended for use in infants less than 1 month old. Anaesthesia can be maintained by administering Diprivan by infusion or repeat bolus injection to maintain the depth of anaesthesia required. The required rate of administration varies considerably between patients but rates in the region of 9 to 15 mg/kg/hour usually achieve satisfactory anaesthesia.

Sedation during intensive care.

Diprivan is contraindicated for sedation in children as safety and efficacy have not been demonstrated. Although no causal relationship has been established, serious adverse events (including fatalities) have been observed from spontaneous reports of unregistered use. These events were seen more frequently in children with respiratory tract infections (including croup) given doses in excess of those recommended for adults. Lipaemia and an evolving metabolic acidosis may be precursors of fatal outcomes.
Children are at particular risk of fat overload. Therefore serum lipids should be monitored in children receiving Diprivan.
Supplementary analgesic agents are generally required in addition to Diprivan. Following infusion of Diprivan, discontinuation of these analgesic agents should be gradual to minimise the risk of withdrawal symptoms.

Monitored conscious sedation for surgical and diagnostic procedures.

Diprivan is contraindicated for sedation in children as safety and efficacy have not been demonstrated.

Method of administration.

Each ampoule, vial or pre-filled syringe should be shaken before use.
Diprivan can be infused undiluted from plastic syringes or glass infusion bottles or Diprivan pre-filled syringes. It can be diluted with 5% Glucose (Intravenous Infusion B.P.) only, and used from glass or PVC infusion bags/bottles. Dilutions should be prepared aseptically immediately before administration and must be used within 6 hours of preparation. Such dilutions must not be more dilute than 1 volume of Diprivan Injection to 4 volumes of diluent (2 mg propofol per mL).
It is recommended that in order to prepare diluted Diprivan, the volume of 5% Glucose Intravenous Infusion BP removed from the infusion bag during the dilution process be totally replaced in volume by Diprivan emulsion.
The dilution may be used with a variety of infusion control techniques but a giving set used alone will not avoid the risk of accidental, uncontrolled infusion of large volumes of diluted Diprivan. A burette, drop counter or volumetric pump must be included in the infusion line. The risk of uncontrolled infusion must be taken into account when deciding the maximum amount of dilution in the burette.
When Diprivan is used undiluted to maintain anaesthesia, it is recommended that drop counters, syringe pumps or volumetric infusion pumps should always be used to control infusion rates.
The glass prefilled syringe (PFS) has a lower frictional resistance than plastic disposable syringes and operates more easily. Therefore, if Diprivan is administered using a handheld prefilled syringe, the line between the syringe and the patient must not be left open if unattended.
When the prefilled syringe presentation is used in a syringe pump, appropriate compatibility should be ensured. In particular, the pump should be designed to prevent syphoning and should have an occlusion alarm set no greater than 1,000 mmHg. If using a programmable or equivalent pump that offers options for use of different syringes, then choose only the B-D 50/60 mL Plastipak setting when using the Diprivan prefilled syringe. The prefilled syringe should not be used in syringe drivers that do not specifically recognise the Diprivan prefilled syringe type or the B-D 50/60 mL Plastipak as the programmed infusion rate may significantly under or over estimate the actual infusion rate. Diprivan may be administered by Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) only with a Diprifusor TCI system incorporating Diprifusor TCI software (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration, Target controlled infusion - administration of Diprivan by Diprifusor TCI system).
Changes to the haemodynamic parameters such as systolic arterial pressure, diastolic arterial pressure, cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance appear to be independent to changes to rate of infusion of propofol.
Diprivan may be administered via a Y-piece close to the injection site, into infusions of Glucose 5% (Intravenous Infusion B.P.), Sodium Chloride 0.9% (Intravenous Infusion BP), or Glucose 4% with Sodium Chloride 0.18% Intravenous Infusion BP.
Diprivan should not be mixed prior to administration with other therapeutic agents or infusion fluids other than 5% Glucose (Intravenous Infusion B.P.).
Do not use if the emulsion is separated or discoloured.
Any portion of the contents remaining after use should be discarded. Containers of Diprivan and any syringe containing Diprivan are for single use in an individual patient. In accordance with established guidelines for other lipid emulsions, a single infusion of Diprivan must not exceed 12 hours. At the end of the procedure or at 12 hours, whichever is the sooner, both the reservoir of Diprivan and the infusion line must be discarded and replaced as appropriate.

Target controlled infusion - administration of Diprivan by Diprifusor TCI system.

Administration of Diprivan by a Diprifusor TCI system is restricted to induction and maintenance of general anaesthesia in adults. It is not recommended for use in ICU sedation or monitored conscious sedation, or in children.
To achieve induction and maintenance of anaesthesia in adults, Diprivan may be administered with the assistance of a target controlled infusion (TCI) system. Such systems allow the anaesthetist to achieve and control a desired speed of induction and depth of anaesthesia by setting and adjusting target (predicted) blood concentrations of propofol. Diprivan may be administered by TCI only with a Diprifusor TCI system incorporating Diprifusor TCI software. Such systems will operate only on recognition of electronically tagged prefilled syringes containing Diprivan 1% injection. Users must be familiar with the infusion pump users manual and with the administration of Diprivan by TCI and with the correct use of the syringe identification system, all of which are set out in the Diprifusor training manual.
The Diprifusor TCI will not compensate for loss of propofol when significant haemodilution occurs, nor will it take into account any extra doses of propofol given by other means. The Diprifusor TCI system must not be started in a patient who has received propofol in the previous four hours. It is not permissible to switch from manual infusion techniques to use of target controlled infusion in the same patient. It is not permissible to switch to a second Diprifusor unit in the event of a malfunction in the first, as the second unit is not able to account for the propofol already infused.
The displayed calculated (predicted) propofol concentration, which is based on a computer simulation using typical pharmacokinetic parameters, is likely to differ from the actual blood concentration achieved in an individual patient. Discrepancies may be greater in patients with altered volumes of distribution or hepatic blood flow, e.g. in elderly patients. The pharmacokinetic simulation has not been validated in patients with renal or hepatic failure nor in the grossly obese.
Guidance on propofol target concentrations is given below. In view of interpatient variability in propofol pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, in both premedicated and unpremedicated patients, the target propofol concentration should be titrated against the response of the patient in order to achieve the depth of anaesthesia required.
In adult patients under 55 years of age anaesthesia can usually be induced with target propofol concentrations in the region of 4 to 8 microgram/mL. An initial target of 4 microgram/mL is recommended in premedicated patients, and in unpremedicated patients an initial target of at least 6 microgram/mL is advised. Induction time with these targets is generally within the range of 60 to 120 seconds. Higher targets will allow more rapid induction of anaesthesia but may be associated with more pronounced haemodynamic and respiratory depression.
A lower initial target concentration should be used in patients over the age of about 55 years and in patients of ASA grades III and IV. The target concentrations can then be increased in steps of 0.5 to 1.0 microgram/mL at intervals of 1 minute to achieve a gradual induction of anaesthesia.
Supplementary analgesia will generally be required and the extent to which target concentrations for maintenance of anaesthesia can be reduced will be influenced by the amount of concomitant analgesia administered. Target propofol concentrations in the region of 3 to 6 microgram/mL usually maintain satisfactory anaesthesia.
Anaesthesia is usually ended by setting the target concentration to zero. The Diprifusor will continue to display a calculated (predicted) concentration. The calculated concentration on waking is generally in the region of 1.0 to 2.0 microgram/mL and will be influenced by the amount of analgesia given during maintenance.

4.3 Contraindications

Diprivan is contraindicated in patients with a known allergy to propofol or any of the other ingredients contained in Diprivan namely egg lecithin, glycerol, soya oil, sodium hydroxide and disodium edetate.
Diprivan is contraindicated in children 16 years of age or younger for sedation during intensive care and for monitored conscious sedation for surgical and diagnostic procedures.

4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use

Monitoring, facilities.

As with all anaesthetic procedures, Diprivan should be given by those trained in anaesthesia (or where appropriate, doctors trained in the care of patients in intensive care). Patients should be continuously monitored and facilities for maintenance of a patent airway, artificial ventilation, oxygen enrichment and other resuscitative facilities should be readily available at all times. Diprivan should not be administered by the person conducting the diagnostic or surgical procedure.
When Diprivan is administered as a sedative for surgical or diagnostic procedures, patients should be continuously monitored by persons not involved in the conduct of the surgical/diagnostic procedures. Oxygen supplementation should be immediately available and provided when clinically indicated; oxygen saturation should be monitored in all patients. Patients should be continuously monitored for early signs of hypotension, apnoea, airway obstruction and/or oxygen desaturation. These cardiorespiratory effects are more likely to occur following rapid initiation (loading) boluses or during supplemental maintenance boluses, especially in the elderly, debilitated and ASA grades III or IV patients, and with coadministration of other sedatives and opioid agents. Monitoring during the procedure and during the recovery period should be in accordance with the needs of the patient.
When Diprivan is used for sedation during operative procedures, involuntary patient movements may occur. During procedures requiring immobility these movements may be hazardous to the operative site.

Premedication.

During induction of anaesthesia, hypotension and apnoea, similar to effects with other intravenous anaesthetic agents, commonly occur and may be influenced by the rate of administration and the use of premedicants and other agents, including benzodiazepines.
Diprivan lacks vagolytic activity and has been associated with reports of bradycardia (occasionally profound) and also asystole. The intravenous administration of an anticholinergic agent before induction or during maintenance of anaesthesia should be considered, especially in situations where vagal tone is likely to predominate or when Diprivan is used in conjunction with other agents likely to cause a bradycardia (see Section 4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions).

Induction, maintenance and recovery.

Occasionally hypotension may require use of intravenous fluids and reduction of the rate of administration of Diprivan during the period of anaesthetic maintenance.
Ventilatory depression can occur following administration of Diprivan. These effects are qualitatively similar to those of other intravenous anaesthetic agents and readily manageable in clinical practice.
Diprivan reduces cerebral blood flow, intracranial pressure and cerebral metabolism. This reduction in intracranial pressure is greater in patients with an elevated baseline intracranial pressure.
An adequate period is needed prior to discharge of the patient to ensure full recovery after general anaesthesia. Very rarely the use of Diprivan may be associated with the development of unconsciousness after the period when recovery from anaesthesia should have occurred. This may be accompanied by an increase in muscle tone and may or may not be preceded by a period of wakefulness. Although recovery is spontaneous, appropriate care of an unconscious patient should be administered.

Concomitant disease states.

As with other intravenous anaesthetic agents, caution should be applied in patients with cardiac or respiratory impairment or in hypovolaemic or debilitated patients.

Elevation of serum triglycerides.

Appropriate care should be applied in patients with disorders of fat metabolism and in other conditions where lipid emulsions must be used cautiously.
Because Diprivan injection is formulated in an oil-in-water emulsion, elevations in serum triglycerides may occur when Diprivan injection is administered for extended periods of time. Patients at risk of hyperlipidaemia should be monitored for increases in serum triglycerides or serum turbidity. Administration of Diprivan injection should be adjusted if lipids are being cleared inadequately from the body. A reduction in the quantity of concurrently administered lipids is indicated to compensate for the amount of lipid infused as part of the Diprivan injection formulation; 1.0 mL of Diprivan injection contains approximately 0.1 g of lipid (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use, Use for sedation during intensive care).
The calorific value of Diprivan is similar to that of Intralipid 10%, i.e. 1.0 mL of Diprivan provides 1.1 kcal.

Epilepsy.

Diprivan has been found to have no effect on electroshock seizure threshold in animals. When Diprivan injection is administered to an epileptic patient, there may be a risk of seizure during the recovery phase. Perioperative myoclonia, less frequently including convulsions and opisthotonus, has occurred in temporal relationship in cases in which Diprivan injection has been administered.
As with thiopentone, in vitro studies have shown that Diprivan is much less potent than etomidate in the inhibition of synthesis of adrenocorticohormones. At concentrations of Diprivan likely to be encountered in anaesthetic practice, no clinically significant effect on adrenocorticohormones has been noted in studies to date.

Anaphylactoid reactions.

Diprivan has been reported to rarely cause clinical anaphylactic/anaphylactoid type of reactions with angioedema, bronchospasm, erythema and hypotension. These reactions have been reported to respond to adrenaline.

Use for sedation during intensive care.

Life-threatening adverse events, occurring together or in combinations, of cardiac failure, arrhythmias, metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis and renal failure associated with propofol when used for sedation during intensive care. There have been very rare reports of metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, hyperkalaemia, ECG changes*, and/or rapidly progressive cardiac failure (in some cases with a fatal outcome) in adults treated for more than 48 hours with propofol infusions in excess of 5 mg/kg/hour. These reports have mainly (but not exclusively) been in patients with serious head injuries treated with high doses of propofol, inotropes and vasoconstrictors. The following appear to be major risk factors for the development of these events: decreased oxygen delivery to tissues; serious neurological injury and/or sepsis; high dosages of one or more of the following pharmacological agents: vasoconstrictors, steroids, inotropes and/or propofol. If these adverse events occur unexpectedly in the presence of high infusion rates of propofol, or hypertriglyceridaemia/lipidaemia is detected, consideration should be given to decreasing the propofol dosage or switching to an alternative sedative. In the event of propofol dosage modification, patients with raised intracranial pressure should continue to be monitored and treated appropriately as should patients with metabolic, respiratory and/or haemodynamic disturbances. The risk of these life threatening events occurring may be increased in the presence of persistent low cardiac output. The maximum dose of propofol for adult sedation during intensive care should not exceed 4.0 mg/kg/hour (see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration). The use of propofol for sedation in children 16 years of age and younger during intensive care and for monitored conscious sedation for surgical and diagnostic procedures is contraindicated (see Section 4.3 Contraindications).
Diprivan contains no antimicrobial preservatives and supports growth of microorganisms. Diprivan contains disodium edetate 0.005% w/v (EDTA) as a microbial inhibitor. EDTA is a chelator of metal ions, including zinc. Calcium disodium edetate has been used in gram quantities to treat heavy metal toxicity. When used in this manner, it is possible that as much as 10 mg of elemental zinc can be lost per day via this mechanism. Although with Diprivan there are no reports of decreased zinc levels or zinc deficiency related adverse events, Diprivan should not be infused for longer than 5 days without providing a drug holiday to safely replace estimated or measured urine zinc losses.
The need for supplemental zinc should be considered during prolonged administration of Diprivan, particularly in patients who are predisposed to zinc deficiency, such as those with burns, diarrhoea and/or major sepsis.
* Coved ST segment elevation (similar to ECG changes of the Brugada syndrome).

Aseptic technique.

Strict aseptic technique must always be maintained during handling. Diprivan injection is a single patient use only parenteral product which contains 0.005% disodium edetate to retard the rate of growth of microorganisms in the event of accidental extrinsic contamination. However, Diprivan injection can still support the growth of microorganisms as it is not an antimicrobially preserved product. Accordingly, strict aseptic technique must still be adhered to. Do not use if contamination is suspected. Discard unused portions. There have been reports in which failure to use aseptic technique when handling Diprivan injection was associated with microbial contamination of the product and with fever, infection/sepsis, other life threatening illness, and/or death¹.
When Diprivan is to be aspirated, it must be drawn aseptically into a sterile syringe or giving set immediately after opening the ampoule or breaking the vial seal. Administration must commence without delay. Asepsis must be maintained for both Diprivan and the infusion equipment throughout the infusion period. Any drugs or fluids added to the Diprivan line must be administered close to the cannula site. Diprivan must not be administered via a microbial filter.

Use in hepatic impairment.

As with other intravenous anaesthetic agents, caution should be applied in patients with hepatic impairment.

Use in renal impairment.

As with other intravenous anaesthetic agents, caution should be applied in patients with renal impairment.

Use in the elderly.

Please see Section 4.2 Dose and Method of Administration, Elderly patients.

Paediatric use.

Use in children.

The benefits and risks of the proposed procedure should be considered prior to proceeding with repeated or prolonged use (> 3 hours) of propofol in young children (< 3 years) and in pregnant women as there have been reports of neurotoxicity in preclinical studies.
There are no clinical trials to support the use of Diprivan for the sedation of children with croup or epiglottitis receiving intensive care.

Use in neonates.

Diprivan is not recommended for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia in neonates.
There are no data to support the use of Diprivan for the sedation of premature neonates receiving intensive care.

Paediatric neurotoxicity.

Some published studies in children have observed cognitive deficits after repeated or prolonged exposures to anaesthetic agents early in life. These studies have substantial limitations, and it is not clear if the observed effects are due to the anaesthetic/ analgesic/ sedation drug administration or other factors such as the surgery or underlying illness.
Published animal studies of some anaesthetic/ analgesic/ sedation drugs have reported adverse effects on brain development in early life and late pregnancy. The clinical significance of these nonclinical finding is yet to be determined.
With inhalation or infusion of such drugs, exposure is longer than the period of inhalation or infusion. Depending on the drug and patient characteristics, as well as dosage, the elimination phase may be prolonged relative to the period of administration.

Effects on laboratory tests.

No data available.

4.5 Interactions with Other Medicines and Other Forms of Interactions

As with other intravenous sedative agents, when Diprivan is given with central nervous system depressants, such as potent analgesics, the sedative effect may be intensified and the possibility of severe respiratory or cardiovascular depression should be considered.
The induction dose requirements of Diprivan injection may be reduced in patients with intramuscular or intravenous premedication (see Section 4.4 Special Warnings and Precautions for Use, Premedication), particularly with narcotics (e.g. morphine, meperidine, and fentanyl, etc) and combinations of opioids and sedatives (e.g. benzodiazepines, barbiturates, chloral hydrate, droperidol, etc).
These agents may increase the anaesthetic or sedative effects of Diprivan injection and may also result in more pronounced decreases in systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressures and cardiac output. Decreased oxygen saturation has been reported when Diprivan is administered with fentanyl; for this reason oxygen supplementation should be used.
During maintenance of anaesthesia or sedation, the rate of Diprivan injection administration should be adjusted according to the desired level of anaesthesia or sedation and may be reduced in the presence of supplemental analgesic agents (e.g. nitrous oxide or opioids). The concurrent administration of potent inhalational agents (e.g. isoflurane, enflurane and halothane) during maintenance with Diprivan injection has not been extensively evaluated.
These inhalational agents can also be expected to increase the anaesthetic or sedative and cardiorespiratory effects of Diprivan injection. Profound hypotension has been reported following anaesthetic induction with propofol in patients treated with rifampicin.
Diprivan injection does not cause a clinically significant change in onset, intensity or duration of action of the commonly used neuromuscular blocking agents (e.g. succinylcholine and nondepolarising muscle relaxants).
No significant adverse interactions with commonly used premedications or drugs used during anaesthesia or sedation (including a range of muscle relaxants, inhalational agents, analgesic agents, and local anaesthetic agents) have been observed.
Lower doses of Diprivan may be required where general anaesthesia is used as an adjunct to regional anaesthetic techniques.
The combination of propofol and alfentanil is likely to produce greater sedation and anaesthetic effects. In addition, alfentanil enhances the depressant effects of propofol on systolic blood pressure and heart rate. When used concomitantly, a dose adjustment of propofol or alfentanil should be considered.
Coadministration of dexmedetomidine with propofol is likely to lead to increased body temperature (pyrexia). Propofol dose required for sedation and induction of anaesthesia may have to be reduced in the presence of dexmedetomidine.
Propofol and sevoflurane causes additive effects on anaesthesia when used in combination. Hence, when used concomitantly, a dose adjustment of propofol or sevoflurane should be considered.
A need for lower propofol doses has been observed in patients taking valproate. When used concomitantly, a dose reduction of propofol may be considered.
A need for lower propofol doses has been observed in patients taking midazolam. The coadministration of propofol with midazolam is likely to result in enhanced sedation and respiratory depression. When used concomitantly, a dose reduction of propofol should be considered.

4.6 Fertility, Pregnancy and Lactation

Effects on fertility.

Studies in female rats at intravenous doses up to 15 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks before pregnancy to day 7 of gestation did not show impaired fertility. Male fertility in rats was not affected in a dominant lethal study at intravenous doses up to 15 mg/kg/day for 5 days.
(Category C)
All general anaesthetics cross the placenta and carry the potential to produce central nervous system and respiratory depression in the newborn infant. In routine practice this does not appear to be a problem; however, in the compromised fetus, careful consideration should be given to this potential depression, and to the selection of anaesthetic drugs, doses and techniques.
Diprivan should not be used in pregnancy. Teratology studies in rats and rabbits show some evidence of delayed ossification or abnormal cranial ossification with an increase in the incidence of subcutaneous haematomas. Reproductive studies in rats suggest that administration of Diprivan to the dam adversely affects perinatal survival of the offspring.
Published animal studies of some anaesthetic/ analgesic/ sedation drugs have reported adverse effects on brain development in early life and late pregnancy.
Published studies in pregnant and juvenile animals demonstrate that the use of anaesthetic/ analgesic/ sedation drugs that block NMDA receptors and/or potentiate GABA activity during the period of rapid brain growth or synaptogenesis may result in neuronal and oligodendrocyte cell loss in the developing brain and alterations in synaptic morphology and neurogenesis when used for longer than 3 hours. These studies included anaesthetic agents from a variety of drug classes.

Obstetrics.

Diprivan crosses the placenta and may be associated with neonatal depression. It should not be used for obstetric anaesthesia.
Diprivan is not recommended for use in women who are breastfeeding because propofol has been reported to be excreted in human milk and the effects of oral absorption of small amounts of propofol are unknown.

4.7 Effects on Ability to Drive and Use Machines

Patients should be advised that performance at skilled tasks, such as driving and operating machinery, may be impaired for some time after use with Diprivan.

4.8 Adverse Effects (Undesirable Effects)

General.

During induction in clinical trials hypotension and transient apnoea occurred in up to 75% of patients. Excitatory phenomena such as involuntary movements, twitches, tremors, hypertonus and hiccup occurred in 14% of patients. Bradycardia responsive to atropine has been reported.
During the recovery phase vomiting, headache and shivering occurred in about 2% of the patients, with nausea occurring more frequently.
Very common (> 1/10).

Body as a whole.

Pain during injection (burning, tingling/stinging).
Common (> 1/100, < 1/10).

Body as a whole.

Elation/euphoria, headache, shivering.

Cardiovascular.

Hypotension, hypertension, bradycardia.

Gastrointestinal.

Nausea, vomiting.

Respiratory.

Transient apnoea, cough.

Skin.

Flush/rash.
Uncommon (> 1/1,000, < 1/100).

Cardiovascular.

Arrhythmias: tachycardia, extrasystole.

Blood.

Thrombosis, phlebitis.
Rare (< 1/1,000).

Body as a whole.

Fever.

CNS.

Convulsions and seizures of the epileptic type.

Other.

Anaphylactoid reactions, in some cases with angioedema, bronchospasm, erythema and hypotension. (These reactions have been reported to respond to adrenaline).
Very rare (< 1/10,000).

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue.

Rhabdomyolysis (when Diprivan has been administered at doses greater than 4 mg/kg/hour for ICU sedation).

Gastrointestinal.

Pancreatitis, abdominal cramps.

CNS.

Pulmonary oedema, postoperative unconsciousness.

Urogenital.

Discolouration of urine following prolonged administration.

Reproductive system and breast disorders.

Priapism.

Hepatobiliary disorders.

Hepatitis, acute hepatic failure.

Other.

Hiccup, postoperative fever.
Very rare reports of cardiac failure, metabolic acidosis, renal failure and hyperkalaemia have been reported.
Occasionally, hypotension may require use of intravenous fluids and reduction of the rate of administration of Diprivan during the period of anaesthetic maintenance or sedation.
Epileptiform movements, including convulsions and opisthotonus, have occurred. As with other anaesthetic agents, depression of cardiac output may occur. As with other anaesthetics, sexual disinhibition may occur during recovery. Depression, crying, confusion, restlessness, broncho or laryngospasm were also observed.
Following abrupt discontinuation of Diprivan in children receiving intensive care, withdrawal symptoms and flushing have been noted. Cardiorespiratory depression may occur in neonates if paediatric dosage regimen is used for induction of anaesthesia.
Accidental clinical extravasation and animal studies showed minimal tissue reaction.
Intra-arterial injection in animals did not induce local tissue effects.

Reporting suspected adverse effects.

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after registration of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit-risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems.

4.9 Overdose

Accidental overdosage is likely to cause cardiorespiratory depression. Respiratory depression should be treated by artificial ventilation with oxygen. Cardiovascular depression would require lowering of the patient's head and, if severe, use of plasma expanders and pressor agents.
For information on the management of overdose, contact the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 (Australia).

5 Pharmacological Properties

5.1 Pharmacodynamic Properties

Mechanism of action.

Propofol (2, 6-diisopropylphenol) is a short acting general anaesthetic agent with a rapid onset of action of approximately 30 seconds. Recovery from anaesthesia is usually rapid. The mechanism of action, like all general anaesthetics, is poorly understood. However, propofol is thought to produce its sedative/anaesthetic effects principally by the positive modulation of the inhibitory function of the neurotransmitter GABA through GABA_A receptors. The majority of pharmacodynamic properties exhibited by propofol are proportional to the dose or concentration in the blood. These dose or dose rate dependent properties include the desired therapeutic effects of mild sedation through to anaesthesia, but also include the increasing incidence of cardiac and respiratory depression seen with increasing dose.
The cardiovascular effects of Diprivan range from a minimal reduction in blood pressure through to arterial hypotension, and a decrease in heart rate. However, the haemodynamic parameters normally remain relatively stable during maintenance and the incidence of untoward haemodynamic changes is low.
Although ventilatory depression can occur following administration of Diprivan, any effects are qualitatively similar to those of other intravenous anaesthetic agents and are readily manageable in clinical practice.
Preliminary findings in patients with normal intraocular pressure indicate that Diprivan anaesthesia produces a decrease in intraocular pressure, which may be associated with a concomitant decrease in systemic vascular resistance.
In combination with hypocarbia, Diprivan increases cerebrovascular resistance, decreases cerebral blood flow, cerebral metabolic oxygen consumption and intracranial pressure, but does not affect cerebrovascular reactivity to changes in arterial carbon dioxide tension.
Limited experience in susceptible patients does not indicate any propensity of Diprivan to induce malignant hyperthermia.
Diprivan does not suppress the adrenal response to ACTH.

Clinical trials.

No data available.

5.2 Pharmacokinetic Properties

The pharmacokinetics of propofol follow a three compartment open model with compartments representing the plasma, rapidly equilibrating tissues, and slowly equilibrating tissues. Following an IV bolus dose, there is rapid equilibration between the plasma and the highly perfused tissue of the brain, thus accounting for the rapid onset of anaesthesia. Plasma levels initially decline rapidly as a result of both distribution and metabolic clearance. The initial (distribution) half-life is between 2 and 4 minutes, followed by a rapid elimination phase with a half-life of 30 to 60 minutes and followed by a slower final phase, representative of redistribution of propofol from poorly perfused tissue. Accumulation may occur if higher than necessary infusion rates are used.
The pharmacokinetics of propofol are linear over the recommended range of infusion rates of Diprivan. Moderate hepatic or renal impairment do not alter these pharmacokinetics. Patients with severe hepatic or renal impairment have not been adequately studied.
Adult propofol clearance ranges from 1.5-2 L/min (21-29 mL/kg/min). Propofol is primarily metabolised by the liver to predominately glucuronide conjugates and their corresponding quinols, which are inactive. These are excreted renally.
The distribution and clearance in children down to the age of three years are similar to those of adults. In infants from one month to three years, the clearance of propofol has shown to be higher than children three years and older. Infants may require an increased dose but is not significantly greater than the dose for children between 3 and 8 years of age.
In older patients for a given dose, a higher peak plasma concentration is observed. The VD and clearance are also decreased; this may explain the decreasing dose requirement with increasing age and the sensitivity of older patients to the other dose related effects of Diprivan.
Discontinuation of Diprivan after the maintenance of anaesthesia for approximately one hour, or of ICU sedation for one day, results in a prompt decrease in blood propofol concentrations and rapid awakening, usually within 5 minutes. Longer infusions (10 days of ICU sedation) result in accumulation of significant tissue stores of propofol, such that the reduction in circulating propofol is slowed and the time to awakening may be increased by up to 15 minutes.

5.3 Preclinical Safety Data

Genotoxicity.

Propofol was not genotoxic in a series of assays for gene mutation (Salmonella typhimurium, Saccharomyces cerevisiae), chromosomal damage (dominant lethal, micronucleus and cytogenetics assays) and other genotoxic effects (Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene conversion).

Carcinogenicity.

Animal carcinogenicity studies have not been performed with propofol.

6 Pharmaceutical Particulars

6.1 List of Excipients

Glycerol, soya oil, sodium hydroxide, egg lecithin, disodium edetate and water for injections.

6.2 Incompatibilities

The emulsion should not be mixed prior to administration with other therapeutic agents or infusion fluids other than 5% Glucose (Intravenous Infusion B.P.).
The neuromuscular blocking agents, atracurium and mivacurium should not be given through the same IV line as Diprivan without prior flushing.

6.3 Shelf Life

In Australia, information on the shelf life can be found on the public summary of the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). The expiry date can be found on the packaging.

6.4 Special Precautions for Storage

The Diprivan emulsion should be stored between 2°C and 25°C; it must not be frozen.

6.5 Nature and Contents of Container

50 mL glass pre-filled syringes, 20 mL*, 50 mL* and 100 mL* vials.
* Not marketed in Australia.

6.6 Special Precautions for Disposal

In Australia, any unused medicine or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

6.7 Physicochemical Properties

Chemical name: 2,6-diisopropylphenol.

Chemical structure.

CAS number.

2078-54-8.
White, aqueous and isotonic emulsion of pH 6.0 to 8.5 for intravenous injection containing 10 mg propofol per 1 mL. The vehicle contains glycerol, soya oil, sodium hydroxide, egg lecithin, disodium edetate and water for injections.

References

¹ Bennett, S.N. et al., Postoperative infections traced to contamination of an intravenous anesthetic, propofol. New England Journal of Medicine 1995 333 (3) 147-154.

7 Medicine Schedule (Poisons Standard)

Prescription Only Medicine (S4).

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