Exparel Side Effects

Generic name: bupivacaine liposome

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jan 11, 2023.

Note: This document contains side effect information about bupivacaine liposome. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Exparel.

Applies to bupivacaine liposome: injection suspension.

Serious side effects of Exparel

Along with its needed effects, bupivacaine liposome (the active ingredient contained in Exparel) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking bupivacaine liposome:

More common

Blurred vision
chills
confusion
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
fever
sweating

Less common

Bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
chest pain or discomfort
collection of blood under the skin
decrease in frequency of urination
decrease in urine volume
deep, dark purple bruise
difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
dry mouth
headache
increased thirst
irregular heartbeat
itching, pain, redness, or swelling
loss of appetite
mood changes
muscle pain, cramp, spasm, or twitching
nausea
nervousness
painful urination
pale skin
pounding in the ears
rapid weight gain
seizures
slow or fast heartbeat
tingling of the hands or feet
trouble breathing
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual weight gain or loss
vomiting

Incidence not known

Loss of consciousness
no blood pressure or pulse
stopping of the heart
weakness of the muscles in your face

Other side effects of Exparel

Some side effects of bupivacaine liposome may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

Motor dysfunction
trouble sleeping

Less common

Anxiety
belching
change in taste
constipation
decreased appetite
falls
feeling hot
heartburn
hiccups
indigestion
itching in the genitals or other skin areas
loss of taste
scaling
seeing double
sensory loss
stomach discomfort, upset, or pain
swelling at the surgical site

Rare

Increased sweating

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to bupivacaine liposome: injectable suspension.

General

The most common adverse reactions reported when administration was via infiltration were nausea, vomiting, and dizziness; when administration was via nerve block, common adverse reactions have included nausea, pyrexia, and constipation.^[Ref]

Nervous system

Very common (10% or more): Dizziness (up to 11.3%), motor dysfunction (14.9%)

Common (1% to 10%): Headache, somnolence, hypoesthesia, syncope, dysgeusia, sensory loss

Frequency not reported: Tremor, dizziness postural, paresthesia, syncope, tinnitus, sedation, somnolence, convulsions^[Ref]

Convulsions have been reported following accidental intravascular injection of this drug and other amide-containing products.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Very common (10% or more): Nausea (up to 40.2%), vomiting (up to 27.8%), constipation (up to 22%)

Common (1% to 10%): Anal hemorrhage, painful defecation, rectal discharge, hypoesthesia oral

Frequency not reported: Procedural nausea^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Very common (10% or more): Pruritus (up to 15%)

Common (1% to 10%): Pruritus generalized, hyperhidrosis,

Frequency not reported: Erythema, rash pruritic, cold sweat, urticaria, cellulitis, wound dehiscence, wound secretion, blister, drug eruption, erythema, rash, hematoma^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Common (1% to 10%): Insomnia, confusional state

Frequency not reported: Anxiety, depression, agitation, restlessness^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

Common (1% to 10%): Hypotension, tachycardia, sinus tachycardia, bradycardia, peripheral edema, hypertension

Frequency not reported: Bradycardia, procedural hypertension, procedural hypotension, palpitations, sinus bradycardia, supraventricular extrasystoles, ventricular extrasystoles, ventricular tachycardia, blood pressure increased, blood pressure decreased, pallor, arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation, atrioventricular block first degree, bundle branch block left, bundle branch block right, cardiac arrest, deep vein thrombosis, orthostatic hypotension, electrocardiogram QT prolonged, presyncope, syncope^[Ref]

Cardiac arrest has been reported following accidental intravascular injection of this drug and other amide-containing products.^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

Rare (less than 0.1%): Allergic-type reactions^[Ref]

Other

Very common (10% or more): Pyrexia (up to 23.3%)

Common (1% to 10%): Procedural pain, lethargy, body temperature increased, feeling hot, post-procedural swelling, fatigue, fall

Frequency not reported: Chills, pain, edema, hearing impaired, asthenia^[Ref]

Hematologic

Common (1% to 10%): Anemia, anemia postoperative, hemorrhagic anemia, postprocedural hematoma

Frequency not reported: White blood cell count increased^[Ref]

Hepatic

Common (1% to 10%): Alanine aminotransferase increased, aspartate aminotransferase increased, increased hepatic enzyme

Musculoskeletal

Common (1% to 10%): Muscle spasms, back pain, muscle twitching

Frequency not reported: Muscular weakness, neck pain, arthralgia, back pain, joint swelling, mobility decreased, muscle spasms, muscular weakness, musculoskeletal pain^[Ref]

Immunologic

Common (1% to 10%): Fungal infection^[Ref]

Metabolic

Common (1% to 10%): Appetite decreased

Frequency not reported: Oxygen saturation decreased, hypokalemia^[Ref]

Renal

Common (1% to 10%): Blood creatinine increased^[Ref]

Respiratory

Common (1% to 10%): Hiccups, hypoxia

Frequency not reported: Laryngospasm, apnea, respiratory depression, respiratory failure, lung infection, pneumonia, cough, dyspnea, lung infiltration, atelectasis^[Ref]