Background: The aims of this study were to investigate the effectiveness, safety and pharmacokinetics of Aquafol (Daewon Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea).
Methods: In total, 288 patients were randomized to receive 1% Aquafol or 1% Diprivan (As...
Background: The aims of this study were to investigate the effectiveness, safety and pharmacokinetics of Aquafol (Daewon Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea).
Methods: In total, 288 patients were randomized to receive 1% Aquafol or 1% Diprivan (AstraZeneca, London, United Kingdom). A total of 30 mg propofol was administered intravenously over 2 s. Injection pain of moderate to severe intensity was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS > 30 mm). Subsequently, an intravenous bolus of propofol 2 mg/kg (minus 30 mg) was administered. Anesthesia was maintained with variable rate infusion of propofol and target effect-site concentration-controlled infusion of remifentanil. Times to loss of consciousness (LOC), recovery of consciousness (ROC) and orientation were recorded. Pharmacokinetic analyses were performed. Adverse events and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) were evaluated.
Results: Time to LOC with Aquafol was equivalent to that with Diprivan (median: 21 vs 18 s, 95% CI of difference: 0 - 6 s), whereas time to ROC with Aquafol was slightly prolonged but within clinically acceptable ranges (median: 12.3 vs. 10.8 min, respectively). Three-compartment models best described the pharmacokinetics of both formulations. Aquafol did not increase serum triglyceride levels. There were no significant differences in the incidence rates of adverse events including PONV between the two formulations. Aquafol (vs. Diprivan) caused more severe (median VAS for pain on injection: 72.0 vs. 11.5 mm) and frequent (81.9% vs. 29.2%) injection pain.
Conclusions: Aquafol showed similar effectiveness, pharmacokinetics and safety compared to Diprivan , but caused more severe and frequent injection -associated pain.