Q&A

What is EXPAREL approved for?

What is EXPAREL approved for?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved a new indication for Exparel (bupivacaine Liposome injectable suspension) for use as an interscalene brachial plexus nerve block to produce post-surgical regional analgesia following shoulder surgery in adults.

Is EXPAREL approved for tap blocks?

Liposomal bupivacaine (LB, EXPAREL®; Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Parsippany, NJ, USA) is a prolonged-release formulation of bupivacaine that is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for single-dose infiltration for postsurgical analgesia,17 including TAP block.

Can EXPAREL be used for chronic pain?

Exparel (bupivacaine liposome) is a non-opioid postsurgical analgesic used in the management of postsurgical pain. Exparel provides prolonged postsurgical analgesia for up to 72 hours with a single-dose local administration at the surgical site….

System Organ Class Preferred Term Back pain
Study1 a 0
0
Study 2b 2 (13.3)

How effective is Exparel?

In clinical studies, Exparel was effective in relieving people’s pain as they recovered from surgery. For example, Exparel was studied in adults who had a bunion removal. In this study, some people received 106 mg of Exparel after their surgery. Other people received a placebo (treatment with no active drug).

What medication is used for a tap block?

The goal of a TAP Block is long-acting pain relief, which can be accomplished with bupivacaine or ropivacaine. Higher volumes of more dilute anesthetic (0.5% vs 0.75% bupivacaine) allow for more efficient spread across the fascial plane (NYSORA, 2018).

How much local anesthesia is needed for a tap block?

Since it is a field block, a large amount of local anesthetic is required. Usually 20 ml of local anesthetic is deposited on each side; the concentration is decided by the total safe dose of the local anesthetic used.

What can you mix with Exparel?

Volume expansion and admixing with 266 mg (20 mL) bupivacaine HCl

  • 20 mL of EXPAREL can be expanded with up to 280 mL of normal saline or lactated Ringer’s solution§
  • Ensure ratio of milligram dose of bupivacaine HCl to EXPAREL does not exceed 1:2 †

What does it feel like when a nerve block is wearing off?

The numbing medicine will begin to wear off about 6 to 24 hours after the nerve block. You will notice a change in the way your limb feels – it may begin to feel less numb, less weak, and you may feel a tingly sensation as if it’s “asleep.” It may take 1-4 hours for the nerve block to completely wear off.

How is exparel administered?

Exparel is given as an injection placed into an area near your surgical incision. You will receive this injection in a hospital or surgical setting. Exparel can have long-lasting or delayed effects.

How long does exparel last?

Essentially Exparel is a very long-acting local anesthetic that has just been released. It lasts approximately 3 or more days following injection. This is the same length of time that a pain pump lasts and will therefore take the place of a pain pump.

How long does exparel work?

A: Exparel Works for Long Acting pain Relief After Surgery. We’ve been using Exparel for abdominoplasties for about three years now with excellent results. The duration of effect in our experience is between 3-4 days. When it does wear off, most patients are able to do well with non-narcotic pain relievers.

What is exparel medication?

Exparel (bupivacaine) is an anesthetic (numbing medicine) that blocks nerve impulses in your body. Exparel is used as a local (in only one area) anesthetic to numb an area of your body for a minor surgery such as bunion removal or hemorrhoid surgery. Exparel is also used as a nerve block after surgery on your shoulder…