Irritation upon injection of a formulation containing propofol is reduced or substantially eliminated by administering a stable, sterile, and antimicrobial aqueous dispersion comprising a water-insoluble microdroplet matrix of mean diameter from about 50 nm to about 1000 nm consisting essentially of about 1% to about 15% of propofol, up to about 7% of a propofol-soluble diluent, and about 0.8% to about 4% of a surface stabilizing amphiphilic aent. The aqueous phase includes a pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble polyhydroxy tonicity modifier. The propofol-containing dispersion is devoid of additional bactericidal or bacteriostatic preservative agents.