Diprivan (propofol) is a lipid-emulsion intravenous general anaesthetic and sedative, labelled at 10 mg/mL (1%) with a 20 mg/mL (2%) strength in some European markets, stored at up to 25 °C and never frozen.

The generic name is propofol. Diprivan is a brand name for propofol, so the active substance is the same. The US Diprivan label (Fresenius Kabi USA) lists propofol 10 mg/mL as an injectable emulsion, Drugs@FDA lists Diprivan as the reference listed drug, and DailyMed carries generic propofol injectable emulsion labels from several other US labellers. In the Netherlands, Diprivan-10 and Diprivan-20 are labelled with Aspen Pharma Trading Limited as holder. On the UK emc, Aspen's products are named Propofol rather than Diprivan. Labelled details such as excipients, shelf life and pack size differ by product, so check the label of the exact product you intend to buy.

On the labels, the difference is the product, not the molecule. Diprivan is one brand of propofol. Other propofol emulsions carry their own labels, and they differ in details a buyer notices. The US Diprivan label lists 10 mg/mL only, with soybean oil at 100 mg/mL, glycerol, purified egg phospholipids and disodium edetate, and storage at 4 °C to 25 °C. The UK Aspen texts add a 20 mg/mL strength, and give storage at 2 °C to 25 °C. Shelf life and pack sizes also differ. We do not recommend one product over another. We quote the product your destination registers or accepts.

Diprivan is an intravenous general anaesthetic and sedative. The US label lists induction of general anaesthesia from 3 years of age, maintenance from 2 months, monitored anaesthesia care sedation and sedation alongside regional anaesthesia in adults, and ICU sedation of intubated, ventilated adults. The UK Aspen 1% text covers general anaesthesia and procedural sedation from 1 month and ventilated ICU sedation over 16 years. The 2% text covers general anaesthesia and procedural sedation from 3 years, and states that 2% is not recommended under 3 years because small volumes are hard to titrate. Always follow the label in your destination.

The US Diprivan label lists 10 mg/mL single-dose vials of 10 mL, 20 mL, 50 mL and 100 mL. The UK Aspen texts list 10 mg/mL in 20 mL ampoules (boxes of 5), 50 mL and 100 mL vials and a 50 mL pre-filled syringe, and 20 mg/mL in 10 mL and 50 mL pre-filled syringes. Storage is 4 °C to 25 °C in the US label and 2 °C to 25 °C in the UK Aspen texts, and neither allows freezing. No refrigeration is required on these texts, so freight is simpler than for cold-chain biologics, but a freeze excursion makes a lot unusable.

The US Diprivan label says administration must be completed within 12 hours after a vial is opened (within 12 hours after spiking for ICU use). The UK Aspen texts say a single infusion must not exceed 12 hours, and the 1% text says a dilution is prepared aseptically just before use and used within 6 hours. Propofol infusion syndrome is a serious and potentially fatal combination of metabolic acidosis, hyperkalaemia, rhabdomyolysis, hepatomegaly, renal failure and cardiac failure, linked to prolonged high-dose infusions. The US label cites doses above 5 mg/kg/hour for more than 48 hours, and the UK texts advise not exceeding 4 mg/kg/hour where possible. These points belong in your pharmacy protocol.

We do not publish prices. The landed cost depends on whether you want the originator Diprivan, a regulator-registered propofol or an Indian-made line such as Troypofol, Neorof or Profol, the concentration (10 mg/mL or 20 mg/mL), the presentation (ampoule, vial or pre-filled syringe), the pack size, the quantity, the registration route in your destination and Incoterms. Propofol needs no refrigeration on the texts we read, but it must not freeze, so the lane still matters. M Care Exports quotes per destination once we have the presentation, pack and quantity.