Metoclopramide reduces the induction dose of propofol.
BACKGROUND
Metoclopramide has been shown to reduce the dose of thiopentone required for induction of anaesthesia. When propofol is used, there have been conflicting results with one small study showing a reduction in the anaesthetic dose and one study failing to demonstrate any effect.


METHODS
Two groups of 30 patients were studied. The patients were randomised to receive either saline 0.03 ml/mg or metoclopramide 0.15 mg/kg 5 min before a manual injection of propofol at a set rate.


RESULTS
This study shows a reduction in the dose of propofol required for the induction of general anaesthesia following an intravenous dose of metoclopramide. The induction dose of propofol was reduced by 24%.


CONCLUSIONS
The mechanism of reduction of propofol dose by metoclopramide is unknown; it may involve GABA or result from a more complex interaction involving dopamine blockade by metoclopramide.
Page
V J
VJ
Department of Anaesthetics, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK.
Chhipa
J H
JH
D000328:Adult; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000932:Antiemetics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008787:Metoclopramide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D000932:Antiemetics; D018492:Dopamine Antagonists; D008787:Metoclopramide; D015742:Propofol