Summary
Background and objective: We compared the dose requirement and side effect profile of total intravenous anaesthesia using Diprivan® to generic propofol at a specific anaesthetic target level utilizing the bispectral index monitor to determine efficacy differences between the two products. Methods: Sixty women undergoing abdominal hysterectomy were induced with propofol 2 mg kg−1 and maintained with infusion (20–200 μg kg−1 min−1) adjusted to maintain a bispectral index of 50–65. Plasma propofol concentration was measured at 1 and 2 h post induction in 25 patients. Results: Mean (SD) drug doses adjusted for weight and time were similar in the Diprivan® and generic propofol groups: 90 (30) μg kg−1 min−1 vs. 90 (20) μg kg−1 min−1 respectively. Mean (SD) plasma propofol levels at 1 and 2 h were also similar (3.0 (1.0) μg mL−1 vs. 3.6 (1.4) μg mL−1, P = 0.2 and 3.0 (1.9) μg mL−1 vs. 3.4 (1.6) μg mL−1, P = 0.58). Conclusions: Diprivan® and generic propofol have similar efficacy at a specified, bispectral index-defined, depth of anaesthesia.
