The subjective effects of low‐dose propofol A double‐blind study to evaluate dimensions of sedation and consciousness with low‐dose propofol

• Published in: Anaesthesia 1994-06, Vol.49 (6), p.490-496
• Main Authors: WHITEHEAD, C., SANDERS, L. D., OLDROYD, G., HAYNES, T. K., MARSHALL, R. W., ROSEN, M., ROBINSON, J. O.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Affect - drug effects; Anaesthetics; Anesthetics. Neuromuscular blocking agents; Biological and medical sciences; Double-Blind Method; Humans; Hypnotics and Sedatives - pharmacology; intravenous propofol; Male; Measurement techniques psychometyric tests; Medical sciences; Neuropharmacology; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Propofol - administration & dosage; Propofol - blood; Propofol - pharmacology; Psychological Tests; Psychometrics; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0003-2409; 1365-2044
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1994.tb03518.x

Summary In this study the subjective effects (sedation and mood) of subanaesthetic doses of propofol were examined in 28 healthy male volunteers. A computer model was used to predict the infusion profiles necessary to obtain steady state propofol plasma concentrations of0.3μg.ml‐1, 0.6 μg.ml‐1, 0.9 μg.ml‐1. Objective measures of sedation from saccadic eye movement and choice reaction time gave significant dose responses at each level but a battery of psychometric tests failed to show dose‐related subjective responses. Of particular note in the subjective data is the lack of a difference between groups or even of a consistent trend within the data. This suggests that a low concentration of propofol in plasma does not induce euphoria or a sense of well‐being. The anecdotal evidence available for mood changes with propofol therefore remains unsubstantiated.