FDA authorizes sedation medicine use during COVID-19 emergency

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an emergency use authorization May 8 for the Propoven 2% Emulsion to maintain sedation via continuous infusion in patients older than 16 years who require mechanical ventilation in an ICU setting. A shortage of FDA-approved propofol and alternative FDA-approved sedatives for use in mechanically ventilated patients currently exists. A letter to Propoven manufacturer Fresenius Kabi USA, has details on the scope and conditions of the authorization. (FDA letter, 5/8/20)