Last reviewed 2026-05-28 · How we verify

Suprascapular & axillary blocks

Suprascapular & axillary blocks is a Small molecule drug developed by University Health Network, Toronto. It is currently FDA-approved for Shoulder surgery anesthesia and analgesia, Postoperative shoulder pain management, Chronic shoulder pain conditions. Also known as: Suprascapular and axillary blocks.

Suprascapular and axillary nerve blocks are regional anesthesia techniques that deliver local anesthetic to block sensory and motor nerve conduction in the shoulder region.

Suprascapular and axillary blocks are used to treat conditions such as shoulder pain, shoulder injury, and post-operative pain, as well as to study regional anesthesia morbidity and diaphragm paralysis due to local anesthesia. The exact mechanism of these blocks is unknown, but they are being studied in clinical trials as alternatives to other nerve blocks, including the interscalene block, for procedures such as shoulder surgery.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

These are procedural nerve blocks rather than pharmaceutical drugs—they involve injection of local anesthetic agents (such as lidocaine or bupivacaine) around the suprascapular and axillary nerves to interrupt pain signaling and motor function in the shoulder and upper arm. The blocks are used perioperatively or for pain management to provide anesthesia and analgesia without systemic effects.

Approved indications

• Shoulder surgery anesthesia and analgesia
• Postoperative shoulder pain management
• Chronic shoulder pain conditions

Common side effects

• Nerve injury (transient or permanent)
• Vascular puncture/hematoma
• Local anesthetic toxicity
• Infection at injection site

Key clinical trials

• Comparative Analgesia and Respiratory Effects of Shoulder Blocks (NA)
• Bupivacaine Liposome Versus Bupivacaine for Ultrasound-Guided Suprascapular Nerve Combined With Axillary Nerve Block in Analgesia After Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery (PHASE4)
• Interscalene Block Versus Combined Infraclavicular-Anterior Suprascapular Blocks for Shoulder Surgery (NA)
• Combined ASSNB and ICBPB vs CCBPB in Shoulder Arthroscopy (NA)
• Diaphragmatic Paralysis After Ultrasound Block of the Suprascapular Nerve for Shoulder Surgery (NA)
• Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block Versus Suprascapular Nerve Block and Axillary Nerve Block for Analgesia in Shoulder Arthroscopic Surgery (NA)
• Neurological Events and Unforeseen Risks After Locoregional-anesthesia
• Comparison of SPSIPB With SSB and ICB Combination in Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgeries (NA)

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:

• Suprascapular & axillary blocks CI brief — competitive landscape report
• Suprascapular & axillary blocks updates RSS · CI watch RSS
• University Health Network, Toronto portfolio CI

Frequently asked questions about Suprascapular & axillary blocks

Related

• Manufacturer: University Health Network, Toronto — full pipeline
• Therapeutic area: All drugs in Anesthesia/Pain Management
• Indication: Drugs for Shoulder surgery anesthesia and analgesia
• Indication: Drugs for Postoperative shoulder pain management
• Indication: Drugs for Chronic shoulder pain conditions
• Also known as: Suprascapular and axillary blocks

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing