Anesthesiology
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Propofol is a potent lipophilic anesthetic that was initially formulated in Cremophor El for human use. Because of the occurrence of Cremophor EL anaphylaxis and improvements in the quality of lipid emulsions, it was ultimately brought to market as 1% propofol formulated in 10% soybean oil emulsion. ⋯ Efforts to overcome such drawbacks have involved the development of propofol emulsions with altered propofol and lipid contents, the addition of different excipients to emulsions for antimicrobial activity, and study of nonemulsion formulations including propofol-cyclodextrin and propofol-polymeric micelle formulations. In addition, a number of propofol prodrugs have been made and evaluated.