Vegans undergoing surgery are telling doctors not to give them the most commonly used general anaesthetic because it contains egg.
They are turning down Propofol – even though it’s the safest and most widely used anaesthetic drug on the market.
Medics say they fear they could be prosecuted for assault if they unaware of vegans’ beliefs.
The drug contains just over 1% egg as an emulsifying agent.
Although vegans can ask to be sedated with other drugs that do not contain eggs, anaesthetists say they prefer Propofol because it works very quickly and reliably to put people to sleep and patients wake up faster than with some older drugs.
Anaesthetists say they can use gas instead of propofol to keep patients asleep during surgery which is just as safe but this is more damaging to the environment than Propofol which may undermine many vegans’ environmental beliefs anyway.
Propofol is the best drug to have for minor procedures as it is disappears from the body rapidly but also because it depresses reflexes that cause coughing and gagging and makes it easier to place a breathing tube.
One consultant anaesthetist in charge of intensive care in a major hospital said: “I’ve had a vegan patient ask me not to give them Propofol, and we used an alternative drug. There is a lot of concern in my profession that we could be charged with assault if we use Propofol on a vegan patient. There are alternative drugs I can use to put them to sleep. The worry is that we use this drug when we don’t know their beliefs in advance, say in a medical emergency, then they object afterwards,
“We had one case where we saved patient’s life who was a Jehovah’s Witness but we didn’t have time to go through his wallet to check if he had a card.
“When he recovered he tried to prosecute us for using a blood product on him.
(Image: Getty)
“Now anaesthetists are asking whether we should check all patients in advance if they are vegans as there is the same risk.
“The irony is that all drugs are tested on animals and if a vegan wanted to be really hard core, they should refuse medicine of any kind although they would probably die.”
Dr William Harrop-Griffiths of the Royal College of Anaesthetists said: “I do not routinely tell all patients what the contents of drugs are. But if someone said they are a vegan I would tell them that Propofol contained an egg derivative.
“I would respect their wishes if they refuse it but my professional advice would be that Propofol is a better anaesthetic drug than some of the older alternatives and gives patients a more pleasant recovery from surgery.”
Heather Russell, dietician for the Vegan Society, which publishes advice on its website about making informed decisions about animal products in medicines, said: “Medicines have to pass safety tests before they can be prescribed, and these tests are routinely carried out on animals. Also, the production of medicines may involve animal ingredients, and it may not be possible to prescribe an alternative. The definition of veganism recognises that it’s not always possible to avoid animal use, and this is particularly relevant to medical situations.
“We encourage vegans to work with their healthcare team to make informed treatment decisions and look after their health, which enables them to be effective advocates for veganism. Health professionals should bear in mind that vegan beliefs are protected by human rights and equality law.”
Although Propofol does not induce a feeling of euphoria like heroin, it does have a potential for abuse.
Instead of the “high” associated with opiate drugs, it brings oblivion and a feeling of being slowed down and spaced out. Some people experience a sense of disinhibition followed by a feeling of calm and an upbeat mood. Once the drug wears off some say they feel rested, energetic and happy.
The drug is potent and overdoses can kill. There have been a number of propofol-linked deaths in the US including Michael Jackson.
Andrea Busfield, 49, a vegan and journalist: ‘If I knew (it was Propofol), I would refuse it, but I wouldn’t be angry with a medic for administering it. I try to live cruelty free but the odds are stacked against me living totally cruelty-free because the abuse of animals is so common place that it can be hard to find any product not tainted by it. Things are getting better, but we’ve a long way to go and I don’t think getting irate with people is the right way to change opinion.”
