Propofol induced Myoclonus

Myoclonus is an uncommon side effect of propofol. Also opisthotonus, refractory dystonia, ataxia, seizures, delayed-onset seizures and seizure-like phenomena have been described from propofol. 

On discontinuation most neurologic complications associated with propofol resolve spontaneously but some literature exits on neurological sequelae that occurred after the withdrawal of propofol infusion persisting upto 18 days despite antiepileptic treatment.

Several possible mechanisms have been proposed but still the actual etiology is not well understood.

This is important to know that propofol has very short half life but it has a delayed terminal elimination half-life hence, significant concentrations of propofol may persist for days within the nervous system.