Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: EXPAREL versus LICART.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: EXPAREL versus LICART.
EXPAREL vs LICART
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Liposomal bupivacaine is a local anesthetic that blocks sodium channels in nerve cell membranes, inhibiting nerve impulse conduction and providing prolonged analgesia.
Licart is a fibrin sealant containing human fibrinogen and thrombin. When applied, thrombin converts fibrinogen to fibrin, forming a stable clot that mimics the final stage of coagulation. It also contains factor XIII and aprotinin to cross-link fibrin and inhibit fibrinolysis, respectively.
Local infiltration: up to 266 mg (20 mL) as a single dose; interscalene brachial plexus block: up to 133 mg (10 mL); femoral nerve block: up to 133 mg (10 mL). Maximum dose 266 mg. Administer via slow injection with frequent aspiration.
Adults: 50 mg orally once daily.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life is 12-48 hours (mean ~24 hours), reflecting prolonged release from the multivesicular liposome depot.
Terminal elimination half-life of 6-8 hours in adults with normal renal function. Prolonged in renal impairment (up to 20-24 hours in ESRD), requiring dose adjustment in CrCl <30 mL/min.
Renal (approximately 96% as metabolites, <10% unchanged). Biliary/fecal excretion is negligible.
Primarily renal excretion (80-85% as unchanged drug), with 10-15% biliary/fecal elimination. Less than 5% metabolized to inactive glucuronide conjugate.
Category C
Category C
Local Anesthetic
Local Anesthetic