Pharmacological Insights and Clinical Applications of Ciprofol: A Narrative Review

Ciprofol (HSK3486) is a novel intravenous anaesthetic developed as an alternative to propofol, offering a safer and more effective option in anaesthesia. It works primarily by modulating the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors in the central nervous system, leading to sedation and hypnosis. Ciprofol's unique pharmacological properties include a rapid onset of action, shorter duration, and reduced cardiovascular and respiratory depression compared to propofol, making it particularly suitable for outpatient and day surgery procedures. Molecular changes in ciprofol appear to be superior to those of other cibenzolines; it is more potent and has a stable hemodynamic effect. It has been used in primary surgery, inpatients and outpatients, and even for sedation of intensive care patients. The reported clinical data indicate that ciprofol is a powerful sedative that is characterised by a high-enough speed of emergence from the state of anaesthesia, which is necessary for outpatient conditions and intensive operating modes. It can be considered a new and important perspective in the technology of intravenous anaesthetics with its improved pharmacological characteristics and clinical effects. With the further accumulation of clinical data, ciprofol will undeniably become an essential agent in today's anaesthetic practice and contribute to an enhancement of healthcare efficiency by providing a more secure approach to numerous kinds of surgical interventions. The purpose of the current study is to provide a review of the pharmacology and clinical use of ciprofol, a new intravenous anaesthetic agent. Various studies demonstrate the functionality and safety profile of ciprofol, which solidifies it as a potential contender for propofol. Regarding respiratory depression, hypoxemia, and injection pain during hysteroscopy, ciprofol was shown to be a relatively safer option than propofol. Ciprofol can, therefore, be recommended for intravenous anaesthesia because of its effectiveness and safety, which has been clearly demonstrated. Randomised trials uniformly report the ability to achieve quicker onset of sedation and lower risk with the agent compared to propofol. These findings imply that ciprofol has many benefits concerning a variety of applications in patients due to a lower rate of adverse reactions and increased patient comfort.