Harvard Anesthesiologist Answers: What Is Propofol?

In an interview with Scientific American, Harvard anesthesiologist Beverly Philip explained the lethal potential behind propofol, the drug blamed for the death of pop superstar Michael Jackson.

Dr. Philip confirmed that propofol is not a sleeping aid, but a general anesthetic that puts patients into general anesthesia. The drug is meant to be used by anesthesiologists in a clinical setting.

Dr. Philip said while anesthesiologists do not know exactly how general anesthesia works, propofol puts patients to sleep by acting on receptors in the brain. Unlike other sedatives, she said propofol has an extraordinarily narrow safety margin because it changes the body's state very rapidly. The drug can affect the breathing even before unconsciousness, making the drug difficult to administer even for trained anesthesiologists.

Dr. Philip said Mr. Jackson's death was probably caused by "recreational use" of the drug. She said people who use propofol recreationally often die from it.

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