Propofol duration of action is typically:

Propofol duration of action is typically:

• A. 5-10 minutes
• B. 1-2 minutes
• C. 20-30 minutes
• D. 60-90 minutes

Answer: (A)

Propofol is an ultra-short-acting IV hypnotic. After a single bolus, the effect wears off in about 5–10 minutes because the drug rapidly redistributes from the brain to highly perfused tissues and is then cleared by the liver. This quick redistribution and clearance explain the brief duration of action, so recovery typically occurs within minutes after the dose. The other time ranges would only occur with much longer infusions or high cumulative doses, not with a single bolus. Note that while the onset to unconsciousness is rapid, the duration of a single dose remains in the 5–10 minute range.

Propofol is an ultra-short-acting IV hypnotic. After a single bolus, the effect wears off in about 5–10 minutes because the drug rapidly redistributes from the brain to highly perfused tissues and is then cleared by the liver. This quick redistribution and clearance explain the brief duration of action, so recovery typically occurs within minutes after the dose. The other time ranges would only occur with much longer infusions or high cumulative doses, not with a single bolus. Note that while the onset to unconsciousness is rapid, the duration of a single dose remains in the 5–10 minute range.