New long-acting local anesthetics: recent formulations and safety

This review summarizes recent advances in long-acting local anesthetics, with emphasis on liposomal as well as emerging carrier-based and carrier-free delivery systems. In addition, the role of adjuvants and strategies to optimize dosing and minimize systemic toxicity will be discussed.

Recent evidence indicates that liposomal bupivacaine provides limited clinical benefit over conventional local anesthetics for most peripheral nerve and fascial plane blocks, while adjuvants such as dexamethasone and alpha-2 agonists consistently prolong analgesic duration of blocks. The risk of local anesthetic systemic toxicity remains a concern due to variability in practices and secondary to high-volume blocks, truncal catheters, and local anesthetics given by surgeons. Novel carrier-based and carrier-free formulations demonstrate promising pharmacokinetic profiles in preclinical and early clinical studies to prolong local anesthetic action and minimize side effects.

Long-acting local anesthetics remain central to perioperative pain management; however, optimal use requires careful attention to dosing, patient-specific risk factors, and safety principles. Although innovative delivery systems and adjuvants may enhance analgesic duration, further high-quality clinical trials are necessary to define their role in routine practice and establish standardized treatment protocols.