Question
Propofol.
Answer
Propofol is a rapid-onset, short-acting IV general anesthetic.
MOA: potentiates GABA-A receptor-mediated chloride channel opening, producing rapid loss of consciousness within one arm-brain circulation time.
Uses: induction and maintenance of general anesthesia, sedation in ICU/for minor procedures (its short context-sensitive half-life allows rapid, predictable recovery even after prolonged infusion), has a favorable antiemetic property (lower incidence of post-operative nausea/vomiting than other agents).
Adverse effects: pain on injection (reduced by co-administering lignocaine), hypotension and myocardial depression (more pronounced than thiopental), respiratory depression/apnea on induction, propofol infusion syndrome (rare but serious — metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, cardiac failure — with prolonged high-dose infusion). No analgesic property of its own.