Local Anesthetics in Lipid-Depot Formulations-Neurotoxicity in Relation to Duration of Effect in a Rat Model

The findings suggest that depot formulations of local anesthetics with advantageous pharmaceutical and pharmacologic properties can be prepared by use of bupivacaine as the active component and natural lipids as carriers. A favorable balance between effects and toxicity may conceivably be obtained. After supplemental testing in more sensitive models for toxicity, such formulations could be candidates for clinical trials.