Propofol Formulation — FRCA Primary MCQ
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Correct answer: D — It is supplied as an oil-in-water emulsion containing refined soya-bean oil and egg phospholipid
Option D is correct. Propofol is poorly water-soluble, so licensed UK preparations are supplied as white oil-in-water emulsions. A current long-chain triglyceride preparation contains refined soya-bean oil, with purified egg phosphatide acting as an emulsifier; glycerol, water and other formulation-dependent excipients are also present. Propylene glycol is not the solvent in this preparation, excluding A. Propofol is not sufficiently water-soluble for a simple aqueous preparation, excluding B. Lipid is not the sole excipient, and the formulation is not simply 20% Intralipid, excluding C. Licensed preparations are near neutral—for example, one SmPC specifies pH 6.00–8.50—rather than being formulated at pH 10, excluding D. Proprietary formulations vary, including some containing medium-chain triglycerides, so an unqualified claim that all contain exactly 10% soya-bean oil should be avoided.
Reference: electronic Medicines Compendium, Propofol 10 mg/ml (1%) emulsion for injection or infusion, SmPC sections 3 and 6.1, revised August 2025. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5492/smpc