JOURNAL ARTICLE

Successful management of suspected propofol dependence with phenobarbital in an adult patient with COVID-19.

  • Published In: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 2023, v. 80, n. 19. P. 1309 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Feeney, Megan E; Steiling, Katrina 3 of 3

Abstract

This article focuses on the management of suspected propofol withdrawal syndrome in a critically ill patient with COVID-19–related acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who required prolonged deep sedation. A 64-year-old male on mechanical ventilation received high doses of multiple sedatives, including fentanyl, propofol, midazolam, and dexmedetomidine, and experienced severe withdrawal-like symptoms upon attempts to wean propofol. Phenobarbital, a barbiturate acting on GABA receptors, was successfully used to facilitate gradual propofol dose reduction without withdrawal symptoms, enabling eventual sedation discontinuation and patient recovery. The report highlights the limited literature on propofol withdrawal and suggests phenobarbital as a potential adjunctive treatment for sedative withdrawal syndromes in intensive care settings.

Additional Information

  • Source:American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy. 2023/10, Vol. 80, Issue 19, p1309
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Health and Medicine
  • Publication Date:2023
  • ISSN:1079-2082
  • DOI:10.1093/ajhp/zxad151
  • Accession Number:172330920
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy is the property of Oxford University Press / USA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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