You have a say in how your pain is managed after surgery. Everyone experiences pain differently. Have a discussion with your doctor before the procedure to determine if EXPAREL is right for you. If you are interested in EXPAREL during your procedure, please contact Executive Plastic Surgery.
What is EXPAREL?
EXPAREL is a medication that helps control your pain after surgery so that you can have a good recovery. EXPAREL is not an opioid or narcotic. It works in your body where you had surgery, unlike opioids, which affect the whole body. During a procedure, the doctor places EXPAREL into the surgical area. EXPAREL contains specially formulated bupivacaine (a type of local anesthetic) that is designed to release into your body over a long period of time for lasting pain relief. Because EXPAREL works over time, you may need fewer doses of other medications, including opioids. In fact, EXPAREL is proven to help patients use fewer opioids as they start their recovery.
How does EXPAREL work?
EXPAREL numbs the pain in the area on your body where your surgery is performed. EXPAREL slowly releases a medication (local anesthetic) called bupivacaine. This slow release makes it possible for EXPAREL to give you long-lasting pain relief after surgery with just a single dose.
How long does EXPAREL work?
Everyone experiences pain, and pain management, differently. In clinical trials, patients who received EXPAREL have been shown to experience pain relief during the first few days after surgery.
Is EXPAREL an opioid?
No, EXPAREL is not an opioid medication and is not addictive. EXPAREL controls pain by releasing a numbing medication slowly and directly in the area of the body where surgery was performed.
Will I need to take other pain medications along with EXPAREL? Can I take other pain medications along with EXPAREL?
Your doctor may prescribe additional pain medications along with EXPAREL. Often, doctors will choose to combine medications to try to limit the amount of medicine you need,
and therefore limit the risk of side effects. Talk to your doctor about your pain management plan before surgery so you know what to expect.
How is EXPAREL given?
Your doctor injects EXPAREL directly into the area of your body where the surgery is being performed, during the procedure. This is the only time you will receive EXPAREL, so there are no follow-up doses. Because EXPAREL is used during your surgery, your doctor needs to know ahead of time if it is something you are interested in receiving. Talk about pain management during your consultation so your doctor can plan ahead.
Does EXPAREL have side effects?
Side effects can occur with any medication; it is important not to ignore anything you might feel. Some patients in clinical trials who received EXPAREL or other pain relievers experienced nausea, vomiting, fever, and/or constipation. Speak with your doctor right away if you get any of these more frequent side effects, or if you have questions about possible side effects.
What does EXPAREL cost? Does it add to the bill for my surgery?
The charge for EXPAREL depends on many factors, including: the facility where your surgery happens, the type of surgery, the amount of EXPAREL you receive. Please contact your physician for additional details.
