Propofol & Nutrient Depletion
Also searched as Diprivan. What the clinical evidence reports, what it may mean, and what to discuss with your pharmacist.
Propofol has been associated with depletion of ZINC. This does not mean a deficiency will occur — it means these are worth knowing about and, if you take Propofol long-term, worth raising with your pharmacist or healthcare provider.
Take more than one medication? Open the checker with Propofol pre-loaded and add the rest to see overlapping nutrient signals.
Reported nutrient depletions with Propofol
Each record below is shown as published in our licensed clinical database, with its evidence rating and citations. Expand a section for food sources and talking points.
ZINC
Moderate DepletionPROPOFOL (Diprivan)
Propofol infusion contains 0.005% EDTA, which can chelate zinc. Zinc excretion is increased in critically ill patients and is increased about 2-fold more in patients receiving propofol infusions. Serum zinc levels are decreased in critically ill patients and then gradually recover as the patient's condition improves. This recovery is blunted in patients on propofol. It has been suggested that reduced zinc levels in critical illness may reduce the acute inflammatory response to stress, and the effects of zinc supplements in this population aren't fully understood. If patients are on propofol infusions for several days, monitor for symptoms of zinc deficiency and consider supplements if necessary.
Zinc helps your immune system, wound healing, and hundreds of chemical reactions throughout the body. Propofol contains a preservative called EDTA that can grab onto zinc in the bloodstream and pull more of it out through the urine. In critically ill patients who receive propofol infusions for several days, studies have found zinc levels drop noticeably and recover more slowly than in patients not on the drug. If you or a loved one is receiving propofol in an ICU setting, the care team should be watching zinc levels and may consider a supplement if needed.
What Zinc does & food sources
Zinc supports immune function, wound healing, taste and smell, and many enzyme systems.
Common food sources:
- Meat and shellfish (especially oysters)
- Beans and lentils
- Nuts and seeds
- Whole grains
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
What to discuss with your clinician
Ask about zinc status if you take an associated medication long-term and notice slow wound healing, frequent infections, or taste changes — a clinician can decide whether testing or an empiric plan makes sense.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Supplement considerations
Zinc competes with copper for absorption — long-term, higher-dose zinc without medical guidance can cause copper deficiency. Zinc also binds some antibiotics in the gut, so dose timing matters.
Do not start or stop medications or supplements without professional guidance — supplements can interact with prescription medications.
HelloPharmacist pharmacist-reviewed education — separate from the licensed record above.
Caution: Keep zinc doses moderate and time them away from interacting medications — ask your pharmacist.
Learn more about this nutrient: Zinc — uses, safety & interactions
References (1)
- Higgins TL, Murray M, Kett DH, et al. Trace element homeostasis during continuous sedation with propofol containing EDTA versus other sedatives in critically ill patients. Intensive Care Med 2000;26:s413-21. PubMed
This tool is educational and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. An association is not a diagnosis and does not mean a deficiency will occur. Always talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or supplement.
Disclaimer: This checker finds which nutrients might be depleted by prescription or over-the-counter medications. Each nutrient depletion issue is rated based on clinical significance. Use your own professional judgment prior to making clinical decisions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center Licensed records refresh weekly · last updated July 3, 2026.
More about Propofol
What drug-induced nutrient depletion means
Some medications can, over time, lower the levels of certain vitamins, minerals, or other nutrients — through reduced absorption, increased loss, or changes in how the body uses them.
Association is not deficiency
An entry here means a depletion has been reported or studied — not that it happens to everyone, or that you are deficient. Dose, duration, diet, and your own health all matter.
Evidence varies by pair
Some drug–nutrient links (like metformin and vitamin B12) are well studied; others rest on limited or preliminary research. Each entry shows the evidence rating from our licensed clinical database.
When to ask about labs
If you take an associated medication long-term, ask your healthcare provider whether monitoring is appropriate for you. Not everyone needs testing — your provider can weigh your dose, duration, and symptoms.
Don't self-supplement blindly
Supplements are not risk-free: some can interact with medications, and some (like potassium or magnesium) can be risky with kidney disease. Talk to your pharmacist before adding anything.
Never stop a medication over this
These medications are prescribed for good reasons, and the benefit usually far outweighs a manageable nutrient consideration. Any change belongs in a conversation with your prescriber.
Food first, usually
For many nutrients, a varied diet covers the gap. Each entry lists common food sources; a supplement is a decision to make with your pharmacist or provider, not a default.
Propofol & nutrients: FAQs
Does Propofol deplete ZINC?
Should I take a supplement because I take Propofol?
Should I stop taking Propofol?
Where does this information come from?
Questions about Propofol and your nutrition?
Ask a licensed pharmacist — free, no appointment needed.
Sources & How We Checked
Nutrient depletion records for Propofol are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database, and are displayed as published with their citations.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference for drug-induced nutrient depletions, supplements, and interactions — the basis for this page.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — NIH consumer drug information, used for medication overviews across the site.
Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.