Evaluation of DepoFoam^® Bupivacaine for the Treatment of Postsurgical Pain

Abstract

SUMMARY An extended-release, multivesicular liposome-encapsulated form of the local anesthetic bupivacaine, DepoFoam^® bupivacaine (proposed proprietary name EXPAREL™), is in development for use as part of a multimodal regimen for the treatment of postsurgical pain. Placebo- and active-controlled clinical trials in patients who have undergone either orthopedic or soft-tissue procedures indicate that a single local administration into the surgical site results in analgesic activity for up to 3–4 days and decreases the use of opioid rescue medication. The safety profile of DepoFoam bupivacaine appears to be similar to that of bupivacaine HCl, and adverse events are dose-related.

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge D Tulman and Z Rost for reviewing the manuscript and providing feedback.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

E Onel is an employee of Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Editorial assistance was provided by Peloton Advantage, LLC, supported by Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc.