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EXPAREL and bupivacaine HCl
EXPAREL is a liposomal formulation of bupivacaine that provides prolonged local anesthesia by slowly releasing bupivacaine from lipid vesicles to block sodium channels in nerve fibers.
EXPAREL is a liposomal formulation of bupivacaine that provides prolonged local anesthesia by slowly releasing bupivacaine from lipid vesicles to block sodium channels in nerve fibers. Used for Infiltration anesthesia and nerve block in adults for surgical anesthesia and postoperative analgesia, Interscalene brachial plexus nerve block for postoperative analgesia.
At a glance
| Generic name | EXPAREL and bupivacaine HCl |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc |
| Drug class | Local anesthetic (liposomal formulation) |
| Target | Voltage-gated sodium channels |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Pain Management / Anesthesia |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Bupivacaine is a local anesthetic that works by inhibiting sodium influx through sodium-selective ion channels in the nerve cell membrane, thereby blocking the initiation and conduction of nerve impulses. EXPAREL encapsulates bupivacaine in liposomes, which extend the duration of anesthesia from hours to up to 72 hours by providing sustained release of the active drug at the injection site. This allows for prolonged postoperative pain control without repeated dosing.
Approved indications
- Infiltration anesthesia and nerve block in adults for surgical anesthesia and postoperative analgesia
- Interscalene brachial plexus nerve block for postoperative analgesia
Common side effects
- Postoperative nausea
- Postoperative vomiting
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Hypotension
- Tachycardia
Key clinical trials
- Bupivacaine Liposome Plus Bupivacaine or Ropivacaine for Pericapsular Nerve Group Block in Hip Arthroplasty (PENG) (PHASE4)
- Liposomal Bupivacaine With Standard Bupivacaine Versus Dexmedetomidine With Standard Bupivacaine (PHASE3)
- A Study of Bupivacaine Liposome Injection in the Treatment of Pain After Thoracoscopic Surgery (PHASE2)
- Evaluation of Pain Management After Surgery When Using Exparel in the Pediatric Population (PHASE2)
- EXPAREL or Lidocane as Local Anesthetic in Patients Undergoing Pleuroscopy With Pleural Biopsy and Indwelling Pleural Catheter Placement (PHASE2)
- Thoracic Epidural Analgesia or Four-Quadrant Transversus Abdominus Plane Block in Reducing Pain in Patients Undergoing Liver Surgery (PHASE3)
- Efficacy of EXPAREL vs. Bupivacaine (PHASE3)
- Exparel vs. Marcaine ESP Block for Post-cardiac Surgical Pain (PHASE2, PHASE3)
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 |