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Depofoam bupivacaine
Depofoam bupivacaine is a liposomal formulation of the local anesthetic bupivacaine that provides prolonged anesthesia by slowly releasing bupivacaine from lipid vesicles.
Depofoam bupivacaine is a liposomal formulation of the local anesthetic bupivacaine that provides prolonged anesthesia by slowly releasing bupivacaine from lipid vesicles. Used for Infiltration anesthesia and nerve block in surgical procedures, Postoperative analgesia.
At a glance
| Generic name | Depofoam bupivacaine |
|---|---|
| Also known as | liposomal bupivacaine, Exparel |
| Sponsor | The Cleveland Clinic |
| Drug class | Local anesthetic (liposomal formulation) |
| Target | Voltage-gated sodium channels |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Anesthesia / Pain Management |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Bupivacaine blocks sodium channels in nerve cell membranes, preventing the initiation and propagation of nerve impulses and thereby producing local anesthesia. The Depofoam delivery system encapsulates bupivacaine in multivesicular liposomes, which gradually release the drug over an extended period (up to 72 hours), allowing for sustained local anesthetic effect without repeated dosing.
Approved indications
- Infiltration anesthesia and nerve block in surgical procedures
- Postoperative analgesia
Common side effects
- Injection site pain or reaction
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Systemic toxicity (rare, at high doses)
Key clinical trials
- The Use of Pecs Blocks in Combination With Exparel in Breast Reconstruction Surgery (PHASE3)
- Efficacy of Liposomal Bupivacaine for Prolonged Postoperative Analgesia in Patient Undergoing Breast Reconstruction With Tissue Expander (PHASE4)
- Comparison of Local Anesthetic Infusion Pump Versus DepoFoam Bupivacaine for Pain Management (PHASE4)
- Comparison of Local Anesthetic Infusion Pump Versus Depofoam Bupivacaine for Pain Management (PHASE4)
- Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of EXPAREL When Administered Via Infiltration Into the TAP vs. Bupivacaine Alone in Subjects Undergoing Elective C-Sections (PHASE4)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Depofoam bupivacaine CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Depofoam bupivacaine updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- The Cleveland Clinic portfolio CI