Exparel dosage: Form, strength, how to use, and more
Exparel dosage (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) is prescribed for pain relief after surgery. The drug comes as a suspension. A healthcare professional injects this type of liquid mixture as a one-time dose.
Exparel is used in adults as local analgesia for managing pain in a specific area of the body after surgery. It’s also approved for this use in certain children.
Also, Exparel is used in adults as a nerve block for managing pain in certain areas of the body after surgery. Specifically, Exparel is used for these nerve blocks:
The active ingredient in Exparel is bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Exparel belongs to a group of drugs called local anesthetics.
This article describes the dosages of Exparel, as well as its strength and how it’s given. To learn more about Exparel, see this in-depth article.
What is Exparel’s dosage?
This section describes the usual dosages of Exparel. Keep reading to learn more.
What is Exparel’s form?
Exparel comes as a suspension, which is a type of liquid mixture for injection.
What strength does Exparel come in?
Exparel comes in one strength of 13.3 milligrams (mg) per milliliter (mL).
What are the usual dosages of Exparel in adults?
Your doctor will prescribe the dosage of Exparel based on certain factors. They’ll consider the type of surgery and the area needing pain management after surgery. Ultimately, they’ll prescribe the smallest dosage that provides the desired effect.
The information below describes dosages that are commonly used or recommended. Your doctor will determine the best dosage to fit your needs.
Dosage for local pain management after surgery
Your doctor will consider several factors when prescribing the Exparel dosage for local analgesia in adults. (A local analgesic manages pain in a specific area of your body after surgery.) These factors include:
Your doctor will decide the dosage that’s right for you.
The examples below are recommended dosages of Exparel for pain management after surgery:
The maximum dosage of Exparel for local pain management is 266 mg as a one-time single dose.
Dosage for nerve block after surgery
The Exparel recommended dosage in adults for specific nerve blocks is as follows:
This is also the recommended maximum dosage of Exparel for nerve block after surgery.
Your doctor may prescribe other pain relief medications along with Exparel for you. For this, they’ll consider the type of surgery you’re having and individual factors.
If you have questions about your dosage of Exparel, talk with your doctor to learn more.
What’s the dosage of Exparel for children?
Exparel is approved for use in children ages 6 years and older. Specifically, it’s approved as local analgesia for managing pain in a particular area of the body after surgery.
Your child’s dosage is based on their body weight. The typical dosage is 4 mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight as a one-time single dose. For reference, 1 kg is about 2.2 pounds (lb).
As an example of children’s dosage, assume a child weighs 40 kg (about 88 lb). The child’s dosage would be 160 mg as a one-time single dose.
The maximum dosage of Exparel in children is 266 mg as a one-time single dose.
For more information about Exparel’s dosage for children, talk with your child’s doctor or a pharmacist.
Is Exparel used long term?
No, it’s not. Exparel is used only as a one-time dose for short-term pain management after surgery. It’s not for long-term use.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about uses of Exparel.
Dosage adjustments
If you have kidney problems, it may take longer for your body to remove Exparel. This could increase your risk of side effects from the medication. If you have kidney problems, your doctor will monitor you closely for signs of serious side effects from Exparel.
If you have severe liver problems, you may have a higher risk of serious side effects from Exparel. Your doctor will monitor you closely after giving you Exparel if you have serious liver problems.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about dosage adjustments with Exparel.
What factors can affect my dosage?
The dosage of Exparel your doctor prescribes may depend on several factors. These include:
How is Exparel given?
Exparel comes as a suspension, which is a type of liquid mixture. Your doctor will inject the area undergoing surgery with a one-time dose of Exparel at the time of surgery.
If you have questions about how you’ll receive a dose of Exparel, talk with your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about Exparel’s dosage.
Do older adults need to receive a lower dose of Exparel?
It’s possible. Adults ages 65 years and older may need a lower dose of Exparel if they have kidney problems or severe liver problems. These problems may put them at a higher risk of side effects from the medication.
Your doctor will prescribe the dosage that’s right for you. Talk with them if you have questions about your dosage of Exparel. They can provide more information.
How long does it take for Exparel to start working?
Exparel starts to work after you receive a dose of the medication after surgery. Your body’s response to the medication will determine how long the drug takes to start working. In most people, the drug starts to work within 30 minutes.
After giving you a dose of Exparel, your doctor will monitor you to see whether it’s working to manage pain.
If you have other questions about what to expect from your Exparel treatment, talk with your doctor.
What should I ask my doctor?
The sections above describe the usual dosages provided by Exparel’s drugmaker. If your doctor recommends this drug, they’ll prescribe the dosage that’s right for you.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your dosage of Exparel.
Here are some examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor:
To learn more about Exparel, see this “Exparel (bupivacaine liposomal)” article.
This was such a helpful article! I’ve always found medication dosages confusing, but the breakdown of Exparel here really clarified things for me. The details about the different forms and strengths, along with practical usage tips, are exactly what I needed. Thank you for making it so easy to understand!
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This is a really informative post on Exparel dosage! The breakdown of its form, strength, and usage guidelines is super helpful, especially for those who are new to this medication. It’s great to see such detailed information that can assist both patients and healthcare providers in understanding how to properly use Exparel. Thanks for sharing!
This post provides comprehensive information on Exparel dosage, including the various forms and strengths available. It’s very helpful for understanding how to properly use the medication for effective pain management. Thanks for sharing such detailed insights!