What is Acute Propofol Intoxication?

What exactly is acute propofol intoxication? The Los Angels Coroner has determined that this is the cause of death for pop star Michael Jackson. Most non-medical people will not know exactly what acute propofol intoxication is and that is the focus of this brief article.

Michael Jackson's acute propofol intoxication was a sudden medication overdose pure and simple.

Everyone knows what intoxication means and an intoxication of the medicine means essentially the same thing. The victim had too much of the particular medicine and became intoxicated by this. In this case, making the news today the victim had too much propofol at once, and there were traces of other drugs found in his body as well

The four drugs found in Michael Jackson's body were Propotol and Midazolam both anesthetics designed to put a person to sleep, and Lorazepam and diazepam, which are used to treat anxiety disorders.

Acute in the medical world means a condition, which came on quickly and was of a short-term duration. An example would be of an acute fever comes on quickly, peaks and breaks in a short time. Acute pain goes on quickly and is of short duration, such as a toothache or broken bone.

Propofol pronounced like pro-po-fil is a quick acting mind altering medication, which is given in an IV. Typically, this medication is administrated as a general anesthesia for short surgeries.

It is also used to insert breathing tubes into patients who require mechanical means to survive. It is also used in veterinary medicine to help animals deal with surgery better. In either case, Propofol is given prior to surgery.

It is not usually a drug that is given to people to help them sleep while they are in their home. This drug does have the potential to become addicting if it is abused, but it is a tightly controlled drug so addiction is rare.

Lorazepam, midazolam and diazepam were also found in the body of Michael Jackson at the Coroner's office. Lorazepam and diazepam is used to treat anxiety among other disorders while Midazolam is anesthesia used for short-term surgeries such as dental extractions. Midazolam IV is used for the surgeries while the oral form is used to help patients get to sleep.

If you are interested in researching any other the medications mentioned within this article, please see the resource section below.

Resources:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/08/28/jackson.autopsy/index.html

www.drugs.com/propofol.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propofol

www.drugs.com/lorazepam.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorazepam

www.drugs.com/diazepam.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diazepam

www.drugs.com/cons/midazolam.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midazolam