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Exparel Injectable Solution
Liposomal bupivacaine is an encapsulated local anesthetic that blocks nerve impulses by inhibiting sodium channel activity, providing prolonged pain relief after surgical procedures.
Exparel (liposomal bupivacaine) is a marketed local anesthetic by Cooper Health System indicated for infiltration analgesia in patients 6+ years and regional nerve blocks in adults, generating $701M in revenue. The drug utilizes liposomal encapsulation technology to extend bupivacaine's duration of action, providing prolonged analgesia for up to 72 hours compared to conventional formulations. With 42 clinical trials and 4 publications supporting its efficacy, Exparel represents a significant advancement in perioperative pain management, reducing opioid requirements and improving patient outcomes across surgical specialties.
At a glance
| Generic name | Exparel Injectable Solution |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | The Cooper Health System |
| 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, a long-acting amide local anesthetic, works by blocking voltage-gated sodium channels in nerve cell membranes, which prevents the generation and conduction of action potentials. The liposomal formulation encapsulates the drug in lipid vesicles, allowing for sustained release and extended duration of anesthesia (up to 72 hours) compared to conventional bupivacaine. This enables single-dose infiltration at the surgical site for postoperative analgesia without repeated dosing.
Approved indications
- Infiltration anesthesia and nerve block for surgical anesthesia and postoperative analgesia
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Headache
Key clinical trials
- Liposomal Bupivacaine vs Continuous Nerve Catheters for Below the Knee Amputations (PHASE4)
- Post Operative Infusion Pump Pain Study (PHASE4)
- Combination Versus Alone Liposomal Bupivacaine Blocks in Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery-1 (NA)
- Pectoralis and Serratus Muscle Blocks (PHASE4)
- Postoperative Pain Control in AIS Using Liposomal Bupivacaine vs. 0.25% Bupivacaine With Epinephrine (NA)
- Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) Block Using Liposomal Bupivacaine in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Patients (PHASE1)
- Pectoral Fascial Plane and Serratus Anterior Plane Blocks With Bupivacaine v. Liposomal Bupivacaine (EARLY_PHASE1)
- Pilot: Intraoperative TAP Block and Post-operative Pain Control for Minimally Invasive Hysterectomy for Endometrial Cancer (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 Injectable Solution CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Exparel Injectable Solution updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- The Cooper Health System portfolio CI