• J P Zacny, D W Coalson, C J Young, J M Klafta, J L Lichtor, G Rupani, P Thapar, and J L Apfelbaum.
• Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago 60637, USA.
• J Clin Anesth. 1996 Sep 1;8(6):469-74.

Study ObjectiveTo determine whether subanesthetic doses of propofol have analgesic effects in healthy volunteers.DesignProspective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover trial.SettingHuman psychomotor performance laboratory within our anesthesia and critical care department.Subjects12, non-drug abusing volunteers, aged 22 to 38 years.InterventionsFive drug conditions were used in which a loading injection was followed by a 20-minute infusion period: placebo [saline (Intralipid)] injection, Intralipid infusion; propofol 0.125 mg/kg injection, propofol 12.5 mcg/kg/min infusion; propofol 0.25 mg/kg injection, propofol 25 mcg/kg/min infusion; propofol 0.5 mg/kg injection, propofol 50 mcg/kg/min infusion; fentanyl 1.4 mcg/kg injection (positive control), Intralipid infusion. Five minutes into the infusion period and 115 minutes after the infusion period was terminated, subjects immersed their forearms in ice-cold water for three minutes while pain assessments were recorded.Measurements And Main ResultsPropofol at the two higher doses during part of the first immersion produced a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in pain intensity and bothersomeness ratings. However, relative to fentanyl, the analgesia was mild. Propofol did not affect any ratings on the 15-item short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire, whereas fentanyl reduced 10 of the ratings.ConclusionOur laboratory results are consistent with the commonly accepted clinical practice of supplementing propofol with an opioid in conscious sedation procedures to provide a satisfactory level of pain relief.

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