Fospropofol is best described as what?

Fospropofol is best described as what?

• A. Active sedative unrelated to propofol
• B. NMDA receptor antagonist
• C. Prodrug that is metabolized to propofol by alkaline phosphatase
• D. Propofol analog with immediate onset

Answer: (C)

Fospropofol is a prodrug designed to deliver propofol in a water-soluble form. It is pharmacologically inactive until alkaline phosphatase in the body cleaves the phosphate group, releasing propofol as the active agent. That transformation explains why its onset is slower than propofol itself and why the sedation effect ultimately comes from propofol acting on its usual targets. It is not an NMDA receptor antagonist, nor does it act as an immediate-onset propofol analog. The best description is that fospropofol is a prodrug that is metabolized to propofol by alkaline phosphatase.

Fospropofol is a prodrug designed to deliver propofol in a water-soluble form. It is pharmacologically inactive until alkaline phosphatase in the body cleaves the phosphate group, releasing propofol as the active agent. That transformation explains why its onset is slower than propofol itself and why the sedation effect ultimately comes from propofol acting on its usual targets. It is not an NMDA receptor antagonist, nor does it act as an immediate-onset propofol analog. The best description is that fospropofol is a prodrug that is metabolized to propofol by alkaline phosphatase.