Evaluation of DepoFoam® bupivacaine for the treatment of postsurgical pain

extended-release, multivesicular liposome-encapsulated form of the local anesthetic bupivacaine, DepoFoam((R))bupivacaine (proposed proprietary name EXPAREL(TM)), 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.