Propofol is the active component of an intravenous anesthetic formulation used for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. The formulation was approved under the brand name Diprivan. Numerous generic versions have since been released. Intravenous administration is used to induce unconsciousness, after which anesthesia may be maintained using a combination of medications. It is manufactured as part of a sterile injectable emulsion formulation using soybean oil and lecithin, which gives it a white milky color.