Propofol-associated serious adverse events: an analysis of the FAERS database

Propofol is an ultra-fast-acting intravenous anesthetic, which is rapidly metabolized primarily into inactive compounds in the live and then excreted in the urine. The purpose of this study is to explore the risk signals of propofol based on the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System database. The risk signals of propofol-related adverse reactions in adverse event (AE) reports from 2004 to 2021 in the US FAERS were mined using ratio-report method (ROR) and the ratio-report ratio method (PRR) methods. We screened out 1651 pairs AE reports using propofol as primary suspect (PS) drugs. ROR, PRR, BCPNN and MGPS methods were used to calculate respectively, there are 363 positive preferred terms (PT) signals with 9549 cases. Among them, the top 3 adverse reactions associated with using propofol from the FAERS database were anaphylactic shock, hypotension and propofol infusion syndrome. The top 3 systems of the body associated with adverse reaction of propofol from the FAERS database were General disorders, Cardiac disorders and administration site conditions and Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders. The top 4 indication of using propofol from the FAERS database, including anaesthesia, induction of anaesthesia, sedation, general anaesthesia. There are many adverse reactions that are not included in the drug insert of propofol and involve a wide range of organs and/or systems. Caution should be exercised in the clinical use of propofol.