Exparel
Exparel: Non-opioid Pain Management
Pain is a response or signal that is sent to your brain to alert you to an actual or potential problem occurring inside the body. Pain management is the treatment of your pain and can include various methods and techniques based on factors such as the cause, history, intensity and duration, and the location of the pain. Pain can be treated in a variety of ways and depends on the type of pain being experienced by the patient.
What is Exparel?
Exparel or bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension is a long-lasting, non-opioid
analgesic. Bupivacaine, the active pharmaceutical ingredient or API in Exparel, is a local
anesthetic that blocks nerve impulses in your body. Exparel is used as a:
Local anesthetic to numb an area of your body for minor surgery such as hemorrhoid surgery or bunion surgery
Nerve block after surgery, to provide pain relief to the operated area
How is Exparel Administered?
Exparel is an injectable medication that is placed directly into an area near your surgical site. It has both long-lasting and delayed effects. If you are undergoing any other treatment, please do let your doctor know that you received an Exparel injection recently for at least 4 days (96 hours) after your surgery.
Safety and efficacy of Exparel is not known in unborn children so please let your doctor know if you are pregnant.
What are the Risk and Side-Effects of Exparel?
You may feel numb or unable to move the numbed area for up to 5 days after the injection. Call your doctor immediately if you experience the following side effects:
- Feeling restless, anxious or drowsy
- Ringing in your ears
- Speech or vision problems
- Metallic taste in your mouth
- Numbness around your mouth
- Fast or slow heart rate
- Feeling short of breath
- Feeling unusually hot or cold
- Tremors or mood changes
- Ongoing weakness, or loss of movement or numbness in the injection site
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Experiencing weakness for months after your surgery in any part of your body
- Signs of an allergic reaction such as red rash, sneezing, itching, difficulty breathing, severe dizziness and vomiting; swelling of your throat, face, lips, or tongue.
