Propofol and serum potassium

Summary The aim of this study was to examine the effect of propofol and propofol with suxamethonium on serum potassium concentration during induction of general anaesthesia. Forty patients were studied during elective surgery and serum electrolytes were measured before and after the induction of anaesthesia. Patients were allocated at random into two groups to receive either propofol alone or with suxamethonium. The serum potassium fell by 0.04 mmol.l−1 by 5 min after induction with propofol alone but had recovered to the pre‐induction level by 10 min. The serum potassium rose by 0.23 mmol.l−1 when a combination of propofol and suxamethonium was used for the induction of anaesthesia.