Propofol for Anesthesia User Reviews

• Ter...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 5, 2014

"I went in for a colonoscopy today and was put under with propofol. It took effect right away, after maybe four deep breaths. I was groggy for maybe 15 minutes after waking up in recovery. However, I have been suffering from major allergy-like symptoms all afternoon and evening - sneezing, watery eyes, congestion, then a runny nose. I feel fairly miserable, not from the procedure but from sneezing."

• car...
• October 18, 2014

"I had a colonoscopy, this was the second time. Both times Propofol worked well. I was out during the whole time, so felt no pain. One difference was this second time when I woke up, I started sneezing and my nose was running. After that, my eyes started watering, and I have been having problems for days after with that with my nose running and eyes stinging. Allergy medicines have had no effect, the only thing that has helped somewhat is Nasacort. Prior to the procedure, I was not having problems with allergies. I have found other anecdotal evidence on the internet of other people having these issues, it seems as if this is an unadvertised side effect."

• kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 19, 2021

"I'm extremely afraid of sedation/anesthesia, and I have horrible health anxiety. I was so afraid of being put on propofol for my colonoscopy, but it honestly was amazing. I don't even remember falling asleep, I was just suddenly out and waking up in what felt like a minute later. I woke up feeling tired - not loopy or high. If you're afraid of sedation/anesthesia like me, don't be! I was so afraid and I couldn't believe how well it went! I highly recommend propofol for colonoscopies. I'm only 23, if I can do it, you can, too!"

• Gra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 29, 2018

"I'm 57 years old and had my first colonoscopy today. Propofol was used for the sedation - I didn't have any issues at all with the scope, however, when I was in the recovery chair, my throat started to hurt so bad. My glands in my neck and I began to lose my voice. My throat hurt so bad it felt like strep throat. I believe that is an allergic reaction to it, my lips swelled a little bit too. 15 hours later and I still have a sore throat and raspy voice. I wanted to share my experience as I don't know if this is a common or rare side effect."

• Fre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 24, 2021

"I had a colonoscopy, and while in recovery, my left eye and nostril began watering and were very irritated. By the time I left recovery, my eye was swollen and almost constantly had to be dabbed with a tissue. I also had bouts of sneezing. It’s been over 24 hours since the procedure, and it hasn’t let up yet. Claritin has not helped. It’s completely miserable."

• lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 10, 2020

"Always works like a charm. I wake up a little groggy but on my feet within 15 minutes. Anesthetist calls it milk of amnesia. I had a colonoscopy today and have severe rhinitis and sneezing all through the night, which I have never had with propofol before (3 coloscopies, 2 hand surgeries). A little research online indicates it's due to the oxygen they gave me via nasal cannula, which I was never given before. It is not caused by propofol...take a look yourself...studies by NIH and others show it's somewhat common from oxygen via nasal cannula and will pass."

• Imm...
• June 27, 2021

"1st time for colonoscopy, no problems. 2nd time for colonoscopy, blood pressure dropped and had respiratory distress; procedure was stopped. 3rd time warned anesthesiologist to NOT use propofol; they did. Unconscious, I was gagging and coughing and thrashed my body about the gurney, lifting my taped-down head. Anesthesia was stopped, and the procedure was begun, and when I gained consciousness, the procedure was still happening, and I could feel it. Cataract surgery. In the drugged state, I felt I was being tortured; afterwards I was crying and very sad. Horrible experience. The first cataract surgery they used Versed - it was a much better outcome. Perhaps propofol is easy or cheap - for me it was once almost deadly, and the second time frighteningly scary. I will request if I ever have another surgery to NOT use propofol on me."

• DC2...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 20, 2014

"While propofol is great for knocking you out of uncomfortable procedures, I've used it twice and both times have had a runny nose (i.e., constant dripping) for a couple of days following its use. This last time when I told the anesthesiologist, he said that wasn't related. But I have the exact same problem as last time."

• Fgh...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 30, 2020

"Had first colonoscopy yesterday. Was perfectly fine before the procedure. Woke up with the worst sore throat of my life. Severe congestion, headache, hoarseness, low-grade fever, and body aches. Came home, went straight to bed, and slept until the next morning. 18 hours!! Feel a little better this morning, but still have hoarseness and am coughing and just feel a little off. Body hurts, but that could just be laying down all day. Will never use this medication again."

• bad...
• September 17, 2014

"I'm 66 and had my first colonoscopy yesterday. I'd never had a general anesthetic before, and didn't know what to expect. On the operating table, when he said he was beginning to administer the medicine, I thought I should start feeling sleepy within a few seconds. Then the nurse said the procedure is over and asked how I felt. It was just that fast. No feeling of losing or regaining consciousness. Afterward, I was completely clear-headed and in good spirits. I couldn't ask for any better experience with general anesthesia."

• Anonymous
• October 11, 2013

"Just had propofol today for colonoscopy. Everything went great with the sedation, but now 10 hours later, my nose is running continuously and my right eye is tearing. I tried Benadryl but that did not help. Surprised to see how many people are having the same reaction."

• bja...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2019

"Had a colonoscopy 2 days ago. I felt great before the procedure, when I woke up from the procedure, I had a constant runny nose. Throughout the day, I started coughing, my nose wouldn't quit running, and my eyes were burning like I had a cold. Today is worse: my head and neck ache, runny nose, mild cough, ears are plugged, and I have a sore throat. No question that this was caused by the propofol, the symptoms were immediate after waking up. Would not recommend this anesthesia."

• Pan...
• June 28, 2014

Diprivan (propofol) "I had foot surgery in '09. This was my very first surgery ever. I had never been put to sleep my entire life. I was given Diprivan (propofol) as the anesthetic. I would have to say that if I ever needed another surgery, I would request this anesthesia. It was wonderful. I remember absolutely nothing about the surgery at all, and it felt like it took like 2 minutes. However, I remember the anesthetist saying one of the side effects was I was going to feel rushed or in a hurry when I woke up. I had the complete opposite effect. I was nice and comfy in my wheelchair and wasn't planning on leaving anytime soon, apparently. I was in a very happy place. I would recommend this to anyone very apprehensive or nervous about any kind of surgery."

• Sca...
• September 2, 2019

"PATIENT ALERT!!! YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO HAVE GENERAL ANESTHESIA/PROPOFOL with a colonoscopy, even if the doctor/nurse tries to bully you into consenting. I went in for my colonoscopy. A nurse anesthetist came in and told me I was getting general anesthesia. I objected and told her I did not want GA, I wanted twilight sleep/conscious sedation. She laughed at me and made snide comments about information on the internet and told me my fears and objections were immaterial. I was all alone, after being up all night with the prep, and exhausted, so I was not able to handle this as well as if I had been alert, well rested, and awake. I had the colonoscopy with GA. Instead of being up and alert for the rest of the day, as with twilight sleep/conscious sedation, I was totally groggy and sleepy for TWO DAYS. I had to take another day off of work."

• lan...
• June 21, 2013

"I had propofol during a routine colonoscopy today. This was amazing. I was out in a flash and woke up feeling great. Then before I even got out of the operating room I started sneezing uncontrollably. I could barely stop sneezing to ask if it was related. I've had IV sedation plenty of times, but this was the first propofol experience. The nurse said she'd heard of reactions like this, but was not concerned. It's been 12 hours now. I am still sneezing. It's like a nerve at the top right side of my nose, just under my eye, is irritated and won't calm down. So I will continue to sneeze until it stops. I did sleep a couple of hours with no irritation at all, but while awake the annoying feeling continues."

• Alg...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 16, 2016

"I had a colonoscopy done with propofol. I am a physician who previously had a colonoscopy with Versed and did great. I asked not to use propofol, but got persuaded into going along with it. It was a nightmare as I awoke with projectile vomiting, severe abdominal pain, and distention even though my colonoscopy was totally normal. I have been sick for days. I recently read an article in Consumer Reports about propofol being used excessively and unnecessarily in colonoscopies, and they are correct. There are major risks with this drug even after the fact. These are unnecessary risks when one can use conscious sedation with Versed and not have these side effects or risks. Propofol is being used to speed the turnover in the recovery room... not for safety."

• Dia...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2018

"RN anesthesiologist from nationally known anesthesiology consultants and well-known gastroenterologist could not begin esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) on me. Apparently, I became combative (no memory of this) after given propofol. I was told by the physician, anesthesiologist, two RNs, and two other medical personnel in the recovery room that they have never seen this happen before. I will continue researching why I had an adverse reaction to the drug and will reach out to the anesthesiologist group for the truth. Hope this helps others."

• 68l...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 11, 2021

"I had propofol yesterday for my hysterectomy. I'd had it three other times without any issue. I always said it was just like taking a nap. But OMG this time my nose is literally pouring, and my eye is swollen almost shut. The need to sneeze is terrible. I REALLY don't like sneezing right now. I had a lot of trouble in my first surgery waking up. So when I found propofol, I loved it. Now I'm gonna do some research before I use it again."

• SRo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 4, 2019

"I am 39 and had my first colonoscopy with propofol this morning. I did not dread the procedure or even the 24-hour prep, but was terrified of being sedated, as I’ve never had anesthesia. I was shaking and lightly crying by the time they administered the meds due to fear of being “put to sleep.” The nurse and anesthesiologist NP were reassuring me all would be fine, and then I was awake in recovery. What? Wow. I know everyone is different, but in my case, I can honestly say this was, by far, the easiest medical procedure I’ve ever had. I feel a little tired today (probably more due to loss of sleep from worrying about the procedure and dehydration from the prep), but I woke up fine without complications, with no feeling dizzy or nauseous."

• Anonymous
• December 11, 2013

"Had a colonoscopy yesterday... went in feeling perfectly fine, woke up after the procedure very congested and sneezing, with a runny nose and watery eyes. Sneezing continued all day, went through an entire box of tissues. Took a dose of Benadryl before bed and woke up today perfectly fine. After reading others' similar experiences, I'm sure this must have been a side effect of the propofol."

• Mel...
• June 5, 2014

Diprivan (propofol) "I had my first screening colonoscopy with propofol. I was out within a few seconds of the administration of it. I woke up after 30 minutes with no side effects. I was up and around within an hour and I had a normal meal after. I did feel unusually 'high' or happy afterward, I don't know if it was the propofol or the good results of the colonoscopy."

• Eli...
• November 6, 2013

"I had a colonoscopy today and was feeling fine before and on the drive home - my nose started running and I was sneezing. I was given propofol. I was a little groggy right after waking up, but felt fine by the time I got home. It has been about 6 hrs and I am still experiencing flu-like symptoms - runny nose & sneezing - mostly on one side. 5 yrs ago I had a colonoscopy and did not experience any of these symptoms. I am glad to see others have experienced the same symptoms ..."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2015

"I was given propofol yesterday for upper endoscopy. I am an extremely anxious person and am terrified of medical procedures. This drug was amazing and I had no issues, I had a great experience. This drug wore off extremely quickly. No side effects. Don't let your anxiety get in the way of your life! It will wreck you!"

• sun...
• May 21, 2014

"Just received a D&C today and had to be put to sleep with propofol, and I must tell you it is amazing. I was so scared to be put under because this was my first surgery. I'm 21. The anesthesiologist talked to me the whole time. When the medication was injected into my IV, it wasn't painful, but it did go up my shoulder, and I could actually taste it, but after that all I remember was looking at the clock and them strapping me down on the surgery table, and then I was in recovery. It's that simple. It's just like a regular nap. I woke up tired, but no nausea, I wasn't groggy, no headache. I felt great. Would definitely do this medicine again. Hope this helps for those who are afraid like I was. Don't be. It's as easy as 123."

• STL...
• September 10, 2019

"5th colonoscopy yesterday. First time I've had these adverse reactions. Propofol IV given...maybe too rapidly? O2 per nasal cannula. Burning when injected, no big deal. Apparently, I coughed throughout the procedure and had to be suctioned. Awoke quickly, with a major headache, continual coughing, sore throat, and hoarseness. Head congestion as if I had a sinus infection. The right side of my nose was running, uncontrolled, like a hose. Gross. Excessive salivation during the procedure - pillow and hair soaking wet. Also new and gross ;-) Day 2, throat is less sore but headache and congestion remain. I've had IV sedation/general anesthesia many times, but this is the first time for headache, congestion, and runny nose. When I called back to the outpatient center, they told me to follow up with primary care - they felt it was unrelated! Those symptoms are included in the official Propofol Product Insert (from drug mfg). Wish I had read that prior to my 'scope."