Metoclopramide reduces the induction dose of propofol.

Abstract

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. 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. 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%. 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.