Admixture of ephedrine to offset side effects of propofol: a randomized, controlled trial.

Study Objective: To determine whether adding ephedrine to propofol is as effective as adding lidocaine at reducing injection pain, and its effects on hemodynamics.

Design: Randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial.

Setting: District general hospital in the United Kingdom.

Patients: 156 adult, ASA physical status I, II, and III patients undergoing elective or emergency general anesthesia.

Interventions: Patients were randomized to one of three groups to receive one mL of 1% lidocaine per 20 mL of 1% propofol (Group L), 15 mg of ephedrine per 20 mL of propofol (Group E15), or 30 mg of ephedrine per 20 mL of propofol (Group E30).

Measurements And Main Results: Pain on injection, heart rate, and blood pressure at one-minute intervals for ten minutes were recorded. There was no significant difference in injection pain among groups. Group E30 had the least amount of hemodynamic change.

Conclusion: Adding 30 mg of ephedrine to 20 mL of 1% propofol is as effective as adding lidocaine in preventing injection pain, and it results in a more stable hemodynamic profile.