Last reviewed 2026-04-22 · How we verify

Instillation - EXPAREL

EXPAREL is a long-acting local anesthetic that blocks sodium channels in nerve fibers to provide prolonged post-operative pain relief.

EXPAREL is a long-acting local anesthetic that blocks sodium channels in nerve fibers to provide prolonged post-operative pain relief. Used for Infiltration anesthesia for post-operative analgesia in surgical patients, Interscalene brachial plexus nerve block for post-operative pain management.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

EXPAREL contains liposomal bupivacaine, which encapsulates bupivacaine in lipid vesicles to enable slow, sustained release of the anesthetic over several days. By blocking voltage-gated sodium channels in peripheral nerves, it prevents pain signal transmission from the surgical site. This extended-release formulation provides analgesia for up to 72 hours following infiltration or nerve block administration.

Approved indications

• Infiltration anesthesia for post-operative analgesia in surgical patients
• Interscalene brachial plexus nerve block for post-operative pain management

Common side effects

• Hypotension
• Bradycardia
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Dizziness

Key clinical trials

• Study of EXPAREL in Patients Undergoing Breast Augmentation (PHASE4)

Primary sources

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Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

• Instillation - EXPAREL CI brief — competitive landscape report
• Instillation - EXPAREL updates RSS · CI watch RSS
• Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc portfolio CI