Bupivacaine/meloxicam ER: A New Dual-acting Extended-Release Local Anesthetic for Opioid-Sparing Postoperative Pain Management

Objective To review data for bupivacaine/meloxicam extended-release (ER) solution for management of postoperative pain and opioid-sparing effects. Data Sources Literature search of PubMed (1946 to August 2021) and ProQuest (1946 to August 2021) was performed using the terms: Zynrelef, HTX-011, and “bupivacaine AND meloxicam.” Additional information sources include ClinicalTrials.gov, prescribing information, Heron Therapeutics’ Clinical and Economic Evidence Dossier, meeting abstracts, and references of identified articles. Study Selection and Data Extraction Clinical trials and articles evaluating bupivacaine/meloxicam ER for postoperative pain management. Data Synthesis Bupivacaine is a short-acting local anesthetic. Its efficacy is negatively impacted by the acidic environment of surgical sites. Meloxicam, a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory, reduces inflammation at the surgical site and increases pH propagating bupivacaine movement into the neurons. In Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials, bupivacaine/meloxicam ER was compared with bupivacaine HCl, bupivacaine ER, and meloxicam ER with and without scheduled nonopioid multimodal analgesia (MMA) in bunionectomies, herniorrhaphies, total knee arthroplasty and abdominoplasty. Postoperative pain was well controlled for 72 hours and consistently superior to placebo, with minimal or no opioid use. Wound healing was not impacted and adverse effects were similar to placebo (most commonly nausea, dizziness, constipation, and headaches). Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice Bupivacaine/meloxicam ER is a viable, safe, nonopioid local anesthetic for sustained 72-hour postoperative pain management mitigating opioid consumption. Conclusion Bupivacaine/meloxicam ER is the only dual-acting, extended-release local anesthetic available. It provides effective analgesia in the postoperative setting and successfully reduces or eliminates postoperative opioid consumption.