Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026

Assessing Changes in Volatile General Anesthetic Sensitivity of Mice after Local or Systemic Pharmacological Intervention
Published on: October 16, 2013
Pharmacokinetics of propofol in female patients. Studies using single bolus injections
I D Cockshott1, L P Briggs, E J Douglas
1Safety of Medicines Department, ICI Pharmaceuticals Division, Macclesfield, Cheshire.
Abstract:
The pharmacokinetics of propofol in a dose of 2.5 mg kg-1 given via a vein in the antecubital fossa were studied in 18 patients. Anaesthesia was maintained with nitrous oxide in oxygen in all patients. The effects of pretreatment with fentanyl (n = 6) and maintenance with halothane (n = 6) on the pharmacokinetics of propofol were also investigated. Pretreatment with fentanyl resulted in prolonged apnoea in four patients. No serious side effects occurred. The pharmacokinetics of propofol in unpretreated patients who were maintained with nitrous oxide in oxygen only can be described by a three-compartment open mammalian model with very rapid distribution (T1/2 alpha about 3 min), rapid elimination (T1/2 beta 45 min) and a slower final phase (T1/2 gamma about 300 min). The total body clearance of propofol was rapid (1.91 litre min-1). Propofol was initially distributed into a relatively large central compartment (41.3 litre) and was extensively redistributed (Vss 305 litre; V gamma 722 litre). Throughout the sampling period the mean blood concentrations of propofol for the patients pretreated with fentanyl were about 50% higher than the mean concentrations for patients maintained with nitrous oxide only. Mean propofol concentrations for the patients maintained with halothane were intermediate between those of the other two groups.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview
One-Compartment Open Model for IV Bolus Administration: General Considerations
The drug's presence in the body is defined by an equation representing the difference between the rates of drug entry and exit. Key parameters—elimination rate constant, half-life,...
Nonlinear Pharmacokinetics: Drug Elimination for IV Bolus Injection
Following the administration of a single intravenous (IV) bolus injection, we can determine the concentration of the drug in the plasma at any given time. This calculation is achieved using a specific equation that integrates the values of Vmax and KM.
We can also...
Nonlinear Pharmacokinetics: Dependence of Elimination Half-Life and Dose Clearance
A study on guinea pigs examined the...
Dosage Regimens: Partial Pharmacokinetic Parameters
Drug Accumulation During Multiple Dosing: Repetitive IV Injections

