Anesthesiologists highlight Diprivan risks

CHICAGO, July 4 (UPI) -- The American Society of Anesthesiologists said Saturday the prescription drug Diprivan, linked to the late U.S. singer Michael Jackson, can be risky to take.

The anesthesiologist group said in a news release while it cannot confirm Diprivan was found at the scene of Jackson's death, it can state the medication should only be used by medical professionals to avoid health problems.

"Though the drug is often used for procedures requiring sedation, patients can have extremely variable responses to the drug and some patients can become completely anesthetized, including losing the ability to breath," the society said. "Diprivan should never be used outside of a controlled and monitored medical setting. Use of the drug should be directly supervised by a physician trained in anesthesia and qualified to provide physiologic rescue should too much drug be given."

ABC News reported sources have claimed the powerful anesthetic drug, which has the generic name propofol, was found in Jackson's home after his death last Thursday. Cherilyn Lee, who served as a nutritionist for the late pop star, alleges Jackson had requested the drug in the days leading up to his death.