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Exparel/bupivacaine mixture
Exparel is a liposomal formulation of bupivacaine that provides prolonged local anesthesia by slowly releasing the anesthetic agent from lipid vesicles at the injection site.
Exparel is a liposomal formulation of bupivacaine that provides prolonged local anesthesia by slowly releasing the anesthetic agent from lipid vesicles at the injection site. Used for Infiltration anesthesia for surgical anesthesia and postoperative analgesia, Interscalene brachial plexus nerve block for shoulder surgery, Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block for abdominal surgery.
At a glance
| Generic name | Exparel/bupivacaine mixture |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Exparel (133 mg, 1.3%) with 10cc of 0.5% standard bupivacaine (50 mg) |
| Sponsor | Wake Forest University Health Sciences |
| 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 long-acting local anesthetic that blocks sodium channels in nerve cell membranes, preventing the initiation and conduction of nerve impulses. The liposomal encapsulation (DepoFoam technology) extends the duration of anesthesia by creating a depot effect, allowing sustained release of bupivacaine over an extended period (up to 72 hours), reducing the need for repeated dosing or opioid supplementation.
Approved indications
- Infiltration anesthesia for surgical anesthesia and postoperative analgesia
- Interscalene brachial plexus nerve block for shoulder surgery
- Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block for abdominal surgery
Common side effects
- Postoperative nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Hypotension
- Bradycardia
Key clinical trials
- Bupivacaine Liposome Versus Bupivacaine for Ultrasound-Guided Suprascapular Nerve Combined With Axillary Nerve Block in Analgesia After Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery (PHASE4)
- Rectus Sheath Block With Liposomal Bupivacaine Versus Thoracic Epidural Analgesia for Pain Control Following Pancreatoduodenectomy (PHASE2)
- IPP Placement & Intracavernosal Block (PHASE4)
- Liposomal and Standard Bupivacaine in Thoracic Paravertebral Block for Post-Thoracoscopic Pain (PHASE4)
- A Study of Liposomal Bupivacaine Versus 0.25% Bupivacaine Hydrochloride Post Breast Reduction (PHASE4)
- Combination Versus Alone Liposomal Bupivacaine Blocks in Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery-1 (NA)
- QL Block With Exparel in Colectomy (PHASE4)
- The Use of Pecs Blocks in Combination With Exparel in Breast Reconstruction Surgery (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 |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Exparel/bupivacaine mixture CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Exparel/bupivacaine mixture updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences portfolio CI