Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Recording Brain Electromagnetic Activity During the Administration of the Gaseous Anesthetic Agents Xenon and Nitrous Oxide in Healthy Volunteers
Published on: January 13, 2018
Propofol does not inhibit lidocaine metabolism during epidural anesthesia
Shin Nakayama1, Masayuki Miyabe, Yoshihiro Kakiuchi
1Departments of *Anesthesiology and †Pharmacy, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan.
Abstract:
Propofol is sometimes used in combination with epidural anesthesia with lidocaine. In this study, we investigated the effect of propofol on the plasma concentration of lidocaine and its principal metabolites during epidural anesthesia with lidocaine. Thirty-two patients were randomly allocated to receive either propofol or sevoflurane anesthesia (n = 16 each). In the propofol group, anesthesia was maintained with a target concentration of propofol of 4 microg/mL. In the sevoflurane group, anesthesia was maintained with 1.5% sevoflurane. Lidocaine was administered epidurally in an initial dose of 5 mg/kg, followed by a continuous infusion at 2.5 mg x kg(-1) x h(-1). Free components of plasma lidocaine and its metabolites-monoethylglycinexylidide (MEGX) and glycinexylidide (GX)-were measured 30, 60, 120, and 180 min after the initiation of continuous epidural injection by using high-performance liquid chromatography. Free lidocaine, MEGX, and GX were separated from 2 mL of plasma by ultrafiltration filter units. Hemodynamic data were similar between groups. The plasma concentrations of free lidocaine were not significantly different between groups. The ratios of free MEGX to free lidocaine and free GX to free MEGX were not different between groups. In conclusion, propofol does not alter the metabolism of epidural lidocaine compared with sevoflurane.
Related Concept Videos
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Local Anesthetics: Pharmacokinetics
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia
Local Anesthetics: Common Agents and Their Applications
Cocaine is an ester of benzoic acid and methylecgogine. It is used to anesthetize and vasoconstrict locally. Currently, it is used primarily for topical applications. It is beneficial for surgeries on the upper respiratory tract, providing anesthesia and shrinking the mucosa. Cocaine in the form of cocaine hydrochloride is...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Surface, Infiltration, and Conduction Block Anesthesia