propofol is effective to depress fentanyl-induced cough during induction of anesthesia

background various attempts have been made to reduce the incidence of fentanyl-induced cough during anesthesia induction. we hypothesized that an appropriate dose of propofol might suppress fentanyl-induced cough. objectives a study had been designed to observe the effects of propofol on a fentanyl-induced cough during anesthesia induction. patients and methods we performed a randomized, double-blind study to evaluate the effect of the pre-emptive use of minimal dose intravenous propofol (20 mg) on the incidence of cough caused by a larger bolus of intravenous fentanyl. group 1 patients were given fentanyl at a dosage of 4 µg/kg. group 2 received 4µg/kg fentanyl and 20 mg propofol. the two groups were evaluated in 0, 5 and 10 second intervals following the injection of fentanyl. results mean age, weight, and, height was 35 ± 10.45, 67.99 ± 10.92, and 165.33 ± 31.84 respectively. the incidence of fentanyl induced cough was 29 (74.4%) in placebo group compared with 10 (25.6%) in the propofol group. there was a significant difference in the incidence and severity of cough between group 1 and 2 (p < 0.0001). this study also showed that propofol could decrease cough incidence in patients who smoke. conclusions priming dose of propofol (20mg) one minute prior to fentanyl injection was effective in suppressing a fentanyl-induced cough.