Tuesday November 13, 2007
Propofol and colorful urine (and hair !)


Propofol infusion is noticed to turn color of urine usually green. There are also case reports describing other colors with propofol like pink, white and brown though green urine carries the trademark. Incidence is around 1% and usually associated with propofol infusion longer than 72 hours. It takes about 2-6 hours for urine to resume its natural color after stopping propofol. It is associated with respiratory alkalosis as respiratory alkalosis increases the formation of metabolites responsible for green color.

There is atleast one case report in literature where discoloration of hair secondary to propofol is reported 1.

It is a benign potential side effect of Propofol and does not require any intervention. Recognition of this side effect is important as it averts unnecessary further workup and limits medical expenditures.



References:

1. Propofol and the color green . Anaesthesia 1989;44(1):82.