Zynrelef (bupivacaine / meloxicam) is a medication used to provide pain relief in adults after certain surgical procedures. This medication is applied inside a surgical site before it's closed up. It can only be administered by a healthcare provider in a healthcare setting.
Zynrelef (bupivacaine / meloxicam) is a medication used after surgery to provide pain relief. It's a combination of a local anesthetic (numbing medication), bupivacaine, and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), meloxicam. Bupivacaine works to numb the area by blocking the nerves from sending pain signals to your brain, and meloxicam works by blocking proteins in your body that cause pain and swelling. It can be used after foot and ankle surgical procedures, hip or knee replacement surgeries, and abdominal surgeries with small to medium surgical openings.
Zynrelef (bupivacaine / meloxicam) is applied by a trained healthcare provider into the surgical opening after the surgery is complete and before the incision is closed (sutured). It's a thick liquid that becomes even thicker when it comes into contact with moisture in the tissues. This allows the medication to stay in place. A single application of Zynrelef (bupivacaine / meloxicam) can provide pain relief for up to 3 days after a surgical procedure.
No, Zynrelef (bupivacaine / meloxicam) isn't an opioid. It's a combination of a local anesthetic (bupivacaine) and an NSAID (meloxicam). In fact, Zynrelef (bupivacaine / meloxicam) might be a useful option for people who want to avoid opioids after surgery since opioids have serious risks related to their use, including opioid use disorder.
Some common side effects of Zynrelef (bupivacaine / meloxicam) include swelling, itching, or infection at the incision site; dizziness; headache; muscle twitching; slower healing; and slow heart rate.
Zynrelef (bupivacaine / meloxicam) can raise your risk of having blood clots, heart attacks, or strokes. People with heart problems are at a higher risk of this happening. Seek medical help right away if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness on one side of your body, or trouble speaking or walking after being given Zynrelef (bupivacaine / meloxicam). This medication can also cause stomach bleeding, which can be dangerous. Older adults and people with a history of stomach ulcers or bleeding are at greater risk for serious stomach problems after Zynrelef (bupivacaine / meloxicam) use. If you notice blood in your vomit, bright red blood in your stool, black or tarry stool, or if you have pain in your stomach that doesn't go away, seek emergency medical help right away. Serious allergic reactions are also possible, especially if you have a history of allergic reactions to an NSAID. Watch out for trouble breathing, swelling, or rash and call 911 if this happens.
Rarely, a condition known as methemoglobinemia can occur from the bupivacaine component of Zynrelef. This is a life-threatening condition that affects oxygen delivery from your blood to your organs. Signs of this reaction are headaches; dizziness; trouble breathing; fast heart rate; feeling tired; and pale gray- or blue-colored skin, lips, and nail beds. The risk is higher in people with heart or breathing problems. You can see signs of methemoglobinemia immediately or several hours after Zynrelef (bupivacaine / meloxicam) use. Contact your provider right away if you notice any of these symptoms after a surgery in which you were given Zynrelef (bupivacaine / meloxicam).