What every expectant mother should know about non-opioid options for postsurgical pain management

For most expectant moms, a great deal of time goes into planning for labor and delivery—and rightfully so. However, all too often, one important piece of information is missing from the puzzle: How do you plan to manage pain post-delivery, especially in the case of a C-section or operation?

“One specific area that women often gloss over when it comes to making decisions about their health is pain management—especially following surgery and childbirth,” says Dr. Jamie Wilkerson, an OB/GYN. This is surprising, because a recent survey found that 96% of women are motivated to return home and get back to their daily routine after surgery and nearly 84% of women have concerns related to being prescribed or taking opioids.

By proactively discussing a pain management plan, women can feel empowered to choose from the options available to them. As opioids affect the whole body and have many side-effects, many patients have concerns about opioid-based pain medications, but aren’t aware of non-opioid alternatives, such as EXPAREL^® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension), a non-opioid postsurgical pain management medication. Unlike opioids, which can cause drowsiness and itching, EXPAREL is a single-dose local analgesic that can effectively reduce pain up to three days after a C-Section procedure without opioid specific side effects.

Dr. Wilkerson says EXPAREL is a beneficial option that helps her patients “get home sooner, experience less pain, and have a better recovery overall.” Particularly for postpartum moms who should be able to cherish precious moments with their newborn without overwhelming pain, EXPAREL offers relief without the risks of opioid medications. 

“While all patients experience pain differently and discomfort is expected, patients shouldn’t be in excruciating pain post-surgery,” says Dr. Wilkerson. “Most of my patients have reported that their pain is appropriately managed since I began using a multimodal approach, which includes a variety of non-opioid options. EXPAREL works to reduce pain for up to three days post procedure. After that, many patients can manage any existing pain with over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.”

Common side effects from prescription opioid use include nausea, constipation, and grogginess—which can impede a new mom’s plans to breastfeed, as well as her ability to bond with and care for her baby. Surveys show that a lack of information and communication between patients and healthcare providers is linked to elevated rates of opioid use. One recent survey of 500 women between their 30s and 50s found that about two-thirds took post-surgical opioid medication to manage pain even though more than eight in 10 women had concerns about taking the medications.

That’s why one simple conversation about a non-opioid option like EXPAREL can impact a new mom’s postpartum experience. As Dr. Wilkerson explains, “Women make over 80% of the healthcare decisions in the United States alone, which means they have a tremendously powerful voice to make change happen. It starts with having the knowledge, perspective, and confidence to address important issues that could not only affect them personally, but millions of other women as well.”

Learn more about EXPAREL, a non-opioid pain management option to guide your conversation with your healthcare provider. 

Indication

EXPAREL® (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) is indicated for single-dose infiltration in patients aged 6 years and older to produce postsurgical local analgesia and in adults as an interscalene brachial plexus nerve block to produce postsurgical regional analgesia. Safety and efficacy have not been established in other nerve blocks.

Important Safety Information

EXPAREL should not be used in obstetrical paracervical block anesthesia.

In studies in adults where EXPAREL was injected into a wound, the most common side effects were nausea, constipation, and vomiting.

In studies in adults where EXPAREL was injected near a nerve, the most common side effects were nausea, fever, and constipation.

In the study where EXPAREL was given to children, the most common side effects were nausea, vomiting, constipation, low blood pressure, low number of red blood cells, muscle twitching, blurred vision, itching, and rapid heartbeat.

EXPAREL can cause a temporary loss of feeling and/or loss of muscle movement. How much and how long the loss of feeling and/or muscle movement depends on where and how much of EXPAREL was injected and may last for up to 5 days.

EXPAREL is not recommended to be used in patients younger than 6 years old for injection into the wound, for patients younger than 18 years old for injection near a nerve, and/or in pregnant women.

Tell your health care provider if you or your child has liver disease, since this may affect how the active ingredient (bupivacaine) in EXPAREL is eliminated from the body.

EXPAREL should not be injected into the spine, joints, or veins.

The active ingredient in EXPAREL can affect the nervous system and the cardiovascular system; may cause an allergic reaction; may cause damage if injected into the joints; and can cause a rare blood disorder.

Full Prescribing Information is available at www.EXPAREL.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT www.EXPAREL.com or CALL 1-855-793-9727. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

PP-EX-US-8116   11/22