Exparel side effects: What you should know

Exparel can cause certain side effects, some of which are more common than others. These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

These are just a few of the more common side effects reported by people who took Exparel in clinical trials:

• constipation
• headache
• fever
• nausea and vomiting*

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.

Mild side effects can occur with Exparel use. This list doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Exparel’s prescribing information.

Mild side effects that have been reported with Exparel include:

• constipation
• headache
• fever
• muscle twitching
• fainting
• trouble sleeping
• dizziness
• anxiety
• itching
• tiredness
• altered sense of taste
• neck or back pain
• urinary retention (trouble completely emptying the bladder)
• edema (swelling or puffiness of the skin)
• nausea and vomiting*
• mild allergic reaction†

These side effects may be temporary, lasting a few days to weeks. However, if the side effects last longer than that, bother you, or become severe, be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while using Exparel and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch.

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Exparel. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Exparel may cause serious side effects, but they aren’t common. The list below may not include all possible serious side effects of the drug. For more information, you can refer to Exparel’s prescribing information.

If you develop serious side effects after receiving Exparel, call your doctor right away. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Serious side effects that have been reported and their symptoms include:

• Blood pressure changes, which may cause hypotension (low blood pressure) or hypertension (high blood pressure). Symptoms can include:
  • dizziness
  • sweating
  • vision problems
• Anemia (low level of red blood cells). Symptoms can include:
  • pale skin
  • lightheadedness
  • weakness
• Changes in heart rhythm. Symptoms can include:
  • shortness of breath
  • dizziness
  • chest pain
  • irregular or fast heartbeat
• Chondrolysis (loss of cartilage in your joint that happens quickly). Symptoms can include:
  • joint pain or stiffness
  • loss of motion in a joint
• Methemoglobinemia.*
• Severe allergic reaction.†

* For more information about this side effect, see “Side effect specifics” below.
† An allergic reaction is possible after using Exparel. To learn more, see the “Side effect specifics” section below.

Learn more about some of the side effects that Exparel may cause. To find out how often side effects occurred in clinical trials, see the prescribing information for Exparel.

Nausea or vomiting

Feeling nauseous or vomiting after receiving Exparel are common side effects reported in clinical studies of the drug. This side effect occurred in people who received treatment as a local analgesic and nerve block.

What you can do

After your surgery, your doctor will monitor you closely for side effects. If you’re feeling nauseous or have vomiting during your recovery time, be sure to tell them. Your doctor may give you medication to help you feel better.

Call your doctor right away if you have nausea or vomiting that doesn’t go away 24–48 hours after your surgery. This could be a sign of a more serious issue.

Methemoglobinemia

A blood disorder called methemoglobinemia is a rare side effect of local anesthetics, including Exparel. Methemoglobinemia is a blood disorder that occurs when too little oxygen is delivered to the cells of the body. Symptoms can include:

• lightheadedness
• skin discoloration (may be pale, blue, or gray)
• shortness of breath
• seizures
• headache
• rapid heart rate

What you can do

Signs of methemoglobinemia may occur immediately or not until several hours after you receive Exparel. Contact your doctor if you have any symptoms of methemoglobinemia. It’s important to get treatment right away to help prevent more serious effects, such as seizures, coma, and, in rare cases, death.

Allergic reaction

As with most drugs, Exparel can cause an allergic reaction in some people.

Symptoms can be mild or serious and can include:

• skin rash
• itching
• flushing
• swelling under your skin, typically in your eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
• swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe

What you can do

For mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your doctor right away. They may recommend ways to ease your symptoms and determine whether you should keep using Exparel. However, if your symptoms are serious and you think you’re having a medical emergency, immediately call 911 or your local emergency number.

Be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history before you use Exparel. This drug may not be the right treatment for you if you have certain medical conditions or other factors that affect your health. These include:

Heart problems: Because Exparel can cause changes in your heart rhythm or blood pressure, it’s important to tell your doctor if you have any heart problems. Using Exparel if you already have heart problems could worsen your condition. Your doctor can tell you whether Exparel is a safe option for you.

Liver or kidney problems: If you have liver or kidney problems, such as cirrhosis or chronic kidney disease, you may have a higher risk of side effects from Exparel. Be sure to tell your doctor about any liver or kidney conditions you have. They’ll likely monitor you more closely for side effects.

Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Exparel or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Exparel. Ask your doctor what other medications may be better options for you.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding: It’s not known whether Exparel is safe for you to have if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding your child. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits of Exparel if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

Alcohol consumption: It’s not known whether drinking alcohol after you receive Exparel is safe. Talk with your doctor before drinking alcohol. They can advise you about how much, if any, alcohol is safe for you to consume.

Like most medications, Exparel can cause side effects. Most are mild and should go away within a week after your surgery as the drug wears off. If you have side effects that don’t go away or are serious, contact your doctor.

If you’d like to learn more about Exparel, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can help answer any questions you have about side effects from using the drug.

Besides talking with your doctor, you can do some research on your own. These articles might help:

• More information about Exparel: For details about other aspects of Exparel, refer to this article.
• Dosage: For information about the dosage of Exparel, view this article.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.