Sterile pharmaceutical compsn. for parenteral admin. is an oil-in-water emulsion in which propofol (I) (2,6-diisopropylphenol), opt. dissolved in a water-immiscible solvent, is emulsified with water and stabilised by surfactant. It also includes enough EDTA or salt to prevent growth of microorganisms for at least 24 hr after accidental contamination. Also new are similar emulsions that do not contain (I) but may contain some other therapeutic or pharmaceutical agent (II), opt. dissolved in organic solvent.