Monday April 20, 2009


Q: Propofol should be given with caution in which common allergy?


A: Egg allergy

Originally propofol was launched 32 years ago but was withdrawn from the market due to reports of anaphylactic reactions. It was re-launched in 1986 by AstraZeneca with the brand name Diprivan with preparation containing 10% soybean oil and 1.2% purified egg lecithin, a phosphatidylcholine found in egg yolk.

A history of egg allergy does not necessarily contraindicate the use of propofol. Most egg allergies are related to a reaction to the egg white (albumin) and not to the egg yolk (lecithin). This could explain why 'propofol' is only very rarely a problem. However, a patient who has an egg allergy should be carefully questioned.