Can Propofol Cause Coughing? Understanding this Unexpected Anesthesia Side Effect
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4 min read
While often used to suppress airway reflexes, a 1998 study found that 33% of patients sedated with propofol during spinal anesthesia experienced coughing, demonstrating that the answer to, 'can propofol cause coughing?' is, surprisingly, yes. This is a paradoxical effect of the drug, which is more commonly known for its ability to prevent coughing and reduce laryngeal reflexes.