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Drug

Bupivacaine

Approved · EMA
ClassSodium channel protein type IV alpha subunit blockerEmerging researchLate-stage developmentSteady momentum
Also known as (RS)-bupivacaine, 1-Butyl-2',6'-pipecoloxylidide, DL-Bupivacaine, Exparel+20 more

(RS)-bupivacaine, 1-Butyl-2',6'-pipecoloxylidide, DL-Bupivacaine, Exparel, Marcaine, Marcaine with Epinephrine, Nocita, Posimir, Racemic bupivacaine, Sensorcaine, Sensorcaine with Epinephrine, Vivacaine, Xaracoll, Zynrelef, dl-1-Butyl-2',6'-pipecoloxylidide, (-)-bupivacaine, (±)-bupivacaine, Bupivacain, Bupivacaina, Bupivicaine, bupivakain, 1-Butyl-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-piperidinecarboxamide, Bupivacaine Hydrochloride, Bupivacainum.

RxNorm1815ChEMBLCHEMBL1098ATCN01BB01ATCN01BB51UNIIY8335394RO
4
Research papers
26
Active clinical trials
SCN4A
Primary target
1
Regulatory events
Latest activity
beta

Recent clinical, regulatory, research and industry developments relating to this drug.

Comparative Evaluation of Caudal Dexmedetomidine and Caudal Ketamine as Adjuvants to Isobaric Bupivacaine for Postoperative Analgesia in Children Undergoing Surgery for Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

Clinical trial2026-08-01Primary completion · ClinicalTrials.gov

Post-mastectomy Recovery: A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Preoperative PECS-II Blocks With Intraoperative Pectoral Blocks

Clinical trial2026-08-01Primary completion · ClinicalTrials.gov

Multimodal Management for Perioperative Analgesia in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Free Flap Reconstructive Surgery: A Prospective Study

Clinical trial2026-07-07Results posted · ClinicalTrials.gov

A Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-controlled Study of the Effects of Stellate Ganglion Block on Neural Activity and Symptoms in Participants With Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Clinical trial2026-06-30Primary completion · ClinicalTrials.gov

Comparison of Interscalene Brachial Plexus Block and Serratus Posterior Superior Intercostal Plane Block for Postoperative Analgesia After Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Trial

Clinical trial2026-06-29Results expected Q4 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

The Effect of Liposomal Bupivacaine Erector Spinae Plane Block on Postoperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Open Upper Abdominal Surgery: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind Trial

Clinical trial2026-06-25Results expected Q1 2027 · ClinicalTrials.gov

Influence of Superficial Parasternal Intercostal Plane Block on Internal Thoracic Artery Caliber to Facilitate Surgical Harvesting in CABG

Clinical trial2026-06-23Results expected Q4 2026 · ClinicalTrials.gov

Latest Advances in Regional Anaesthesia.

Research2024-04-28Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Approval: Exparel liposomal (EMA)

Regulatory2020-11-16EMA

Efficacy of liposomal bupivacaine versus bupivacaine in port site injections on postoperative pain within enhanced recovery after bariatric surgery program: a randomized clinical trial.

Research2019-06-17Surgery for obesity and related diseases : official journal of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery

Ultrasound guided subcostal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) infiltration with liposomal bupivacaine for patients undergoing robotic assisted hysterectomy: A prospective randomized controlled study.

Research2015-06-06Gynecologic oncology

Bupivacaine for pain reduction after iliac crest bone graft harvest.

Research2014-05-01Orthopedics

Profile

Identifiers & mechanism

Canonical identifiers, marketed brand names and mechanism, resolved across RxNorm, ChEMBL and ATC.

Canonical name
Bupivacaine
Aliases & brands
(RS)-bupivacaine1-Butyl-2',6'-pipecoloxylidideDL-BupivacaineExparelMarcaineMarcaine with EpinephrineNocitaPosimirRacemic bupivacaineSensorcaineSensorcaine with EpinephrineVivacaineXaracollZynrelefdl-1-Butyl-2',6'-pipecoloxylidide(-)-bupivacaine(±)-bupivacaineBupivacainBupivacainaBupivicainebupivakain1-Butyl-N-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-2-piperidinecarboxamideBupivacaine HydrochlorideBupivacainum
RxNorm CUI
1815
ChEMBL ID
CHEMBL1098
ATC codes
N01BB01N01BB51
UNII
Y8335394RO
Primary mechanism
Sodium channel protein type IV alpha subunit blocker
Regulatory jurisdictions
ema

Pharmacology & targets

1 target

Known molecular targets and mechanisms supported by curated pharmacology databases.

Sodium channel protein type 4 subunit alpha
SCN4A · P35499
BLOCKERSodium channel protein type IV alpha subunit blocker

Regulatory timeline

1 event

The complete regulatory record, grouped by authority — approvals, safety advisories and label changes. Each authority shows its most recent events; expand one to read its full history.

Earliest approval
2020-11-16
Latest approval
2020-11-16
Authorities
EMA
Total events
1
emaEuropean Medicines Agency· 1 event
2020-11-16Approval
Approval: Exparel liposomal (EMA)
Indication: Exparel liposomal is indicated: in adults as a brachial plexus block or femoral nerve block for treatment of post-operative pain. in adults and children aged 6 years or… Show full indication

Exparel liposomal is indicated: in adults as a brachial plexus block or femoral nerve block for treatment of post-operative pain. in adults and children aged 6 years or older as a field block for treatment of somatic post-operative pain from small- to medium-sized surgical wounds.

Evidence ↗

Contains information from the European Medicines Agency (European Medicines Agency), © EMA, reused under CC BY 4.0.

Clinical trials

193 trials

The current development programme across all trial phases — status mix, phase distribution and the late-stage studies shaping the evidence base.

Development programme
CLINICALTRIALS.GOV · LIVE REGISTRY
193
registered trials across all phases
LATEST COMPLETION 2026
26
Active studies
25
Recruiting
162
Late-stage (III+)
113
Completed
54
Discontinued
PHASE DISTRIBUTIONn = 193
Early Phase 13Phase 111Phase 1 / 23Phase 214Phase 2 / 310Phase 319Phase 462Phase N / A71

Late-stage studies

Phase III+ trials still open or recently active — where late-stage evidence is being generated.

Treatment Efficacy of Local Anesthetic/Steroid Mixture Injection for Patients With Odynophonia

WithdrawnPH IVUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical Center2027

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) in Live Donor Kidney Transplant Recipients

Enrolling by invitationPH IVBaylor Research Instituten=602027

Liposomal Bupivacaine/Bupivacaine A Single-Dose Bilateral Rectus Sheath Blocks Versus Ropivacaine in Bilateral Rectus Sheath Blocks And Catheters With Intermittent Hourly Boluses.

RecruitingPH IVHartford Hospitaln=142026

Post-mastectomy Recovery: A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Preoperative PECS-II Blocks With Intraoperative Pectoral Blocks

RecruitingPH IVUniversity of Cincinnatin=1002026

Ultrasound-guided Transversus Abdominis Plane Block After Cesarean Section Using Two Different Bupivacaine Volumes With a Fixed Drug Mass. A Randomized Comparative Trial.

Not yet recruitingPH IVCairo Universityn=502026

Recent completions

Trials that read out recently, adding to the completed evidence base.

Analgesic Efficacy of Ultrasound-guided Inter-semispinal Fascial Plane Block (ISPB) Versus Erector Spinae Plane Block (ESPB) in Posterior Cervical Spine Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Double-Blinded Study.

CompletedPH IVFayoum Universityn=1022026

Ultrasound-Guided Thoracic Paravertebral Block Versus External Oblique Intercostal Block for Postoperative Analgesia After Open Radical Nephrectomy: A Randomised Controlled Trial

CompletedN/AHacettepe Universityn=982026

Dexmedetomidine vs Ketamine as Adjuvants to Bupivacaine in Transversus Abdominus Plane Block in Inguinal Hernioplasty: A Randomized Clincal Controlled Trial

CompletedPH IIIAin Shams Universityn=602026

Preoperative and Postoperative Erector Spinae Plane Block: Effects on Frontal QRS-T Angle in Laparoscopic Surgery - A Prospective Randomized Study

CompletedN/AHarran Universityn=1352025

Prospective Study of Liposomal Bupivacaine for Pain Control of Split Thickness Skin Graft Donor Sites

CompletedPH IVUniversity of Kansas Medical Centern=742025

Comparative Study Between Ultrasound Guided Pericapsular Nerve Block Versus iv Sedation Analgesia in Reduction of Shoulder Dislocation, Double Blinded Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial

CompletedPH IIBenha Universityn=422025

Research activity

4 papers

Key research shaping understanding of this drug, combining the latest publications with the most influential evidence.

Publications over time
20142024
Major research themes3
Anesthesia, Conduction1Bone Transplantation1Spinal Fusion1
Journals, researchers & institutions
Top journals
  • Gynecologic oncology1
  • Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)1
  • Orthopedics1
  • Surgery for obesity and related diseases : official journal of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery1
Leading researchers
  • Akusoba I1
  • Bible JE1
  • Boone K1
  • Buggy DJ1
  • Carson L1
  • Crosby CG1
  • Crowe GG1
  • Delaney D1
Leading institutions
free-text, unnormalised
  • Cork University Hospital1
  • Fresno Heart and Surgical Hospital1
  • Masonic Cancer Center Biostatistics and Bioinformatics1
  • Mater Misericordiae University Hospital1
  • National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh/Mater Misericordiae University Hospital1
  • School of Medicine1
References & data sources
  • RxNorm (U.S. National Library of Medicine) — drug identity
  • ChEMBL (EMBL-EBI) & UniProt — pharmacology and targets
  • Europe PMC — research literature
  • ClinicalTrials.gov — clinical trials
  • Regulatory event sources are credited in the Regulatory Timeline above.