Commercial propofol solutions: Is the more expensive also the more effective?

Study Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of four commercial prop ofol solutions marketed in Israel. Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind study. Setting: University-affiliated medical center, Patients: 120 ASA physical s tatus I and II nullipara patients undergoing dilatation and curettage for i nterrupted pregnancy. Interventions: Patients were randomized into four groups of 30 patients eac h. Group I was anesthetized with Diprivan (AstraZeneca, UK), group 2 with R ecofol (Leiras Gy, Finland), group 3 with Propofol (Abbott), and group 4 wi th Diprofol (Taro, Israel). Measurements and Main Results: The four study groups were similar in mean a ge and weight. There were no statistically significant differences in the a dministered doses, quality of anesthesia, recovery time, or adverse effects among the four groups. Conclusions: Diprivan, Recofol, Diprofol, and Propofol Abbott are equally e ffective as anesthesia induction drugs for dilation and curettage, with a s imilar incidence of adverse effects. Because cost limitations have become a significant factor in medical care, the choice of drug in this group shoul d be based solely on cost considerations. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc.