How to Check If a Surgical Center Has Exparel (Without Making 10 Calls)

Most guides about finding medications tell you to call multiple pharmacies and ask if something is in stock. But Exparel doesn't work that way. It's not a retail pharmacy drug — it's an injectable medication stocked exclusively by hospitals and surgical centers. So the process of confirming availability is different, and in some ways simpler, than for most medications.

Here's how to efficiently determine whether Exparel is available at the facility where you'll have your procedure — without a frustrating string of phone calls.

Why Checking for Exparel Is Different From Other Drugs

Standard medications that patients fill at a pharmacy can be checked on apps like GoodRx, via pharmacist phone calls, or through pharmacy websites. Exparel works completely differently:

• It's not dispensed at CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, or any retail pharmacy.
• It's stocked in hospital and surgical center (ASC) pharmacies only.
• Availability depends on whether each specific facility has it on their formulary.
• You don't need to purchase it — your facility bills for it as part of your surgical charges.

Method 1: Call the Hospital or Surgical Center Pharmacy Directly

This is the single most efficient method. Call the pharmacy department at the specific hospital or ASC where your procedure is scheduled. Most facility pharmacies are staffed with pharmacists and technicians who can quickly confirm formulary status.

Ask: "Is bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension (Exparel) on your formulary, and is it approved for [your procedure type]?"

You can typically find the hospital pharmacy phone number on the facility's main website or by calling the main hospital line and asking to be transferred.

Method 2: Ask Your Surgeon's Office Coordinator

Your surgeon's scheduling coordinator or surgical coordinator knows the facility's pain management protocols. They often know off the top of their heads whether Exparel is available and whether the surgeon uses it. A quick message through the patient portal or a call to the surgical coordinator can get you an answer without having to navigate the facility's phone system.

Method 3: Check the Facility Website or ERAS Protocol Documentation

Some hospital systems publish their Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols online, which may mention their use of non-opioid analgesics like Exparel. Search the facility's name along with "ERAS protocol" or "non-opioid pain management" to see if their documentation mentions it.

This is less reliable than a direct pharmacy call but can help narrow down your options before you start calling.

Method 4: Ask During the Pre-Admission Testing (PAT) Appointment

Most hospitals require a pre-admission testing appointment or pre-op nursing assessment before a surgical procedure. This appointment typically occurs 1–2 weeks before surgery. The nurse or anesthesia pre-op team conducting this assessment can confirm whether Exparel is on the facility's pain management protocol for your procedure — and if not, document your preference in your chart for the anesthesiologist to review.

Method 5: Use the Pacira Provider Locator

Pacira BioSciences, the manufacturer of Exparel, maintains resources to help patients find providers and facilities that use their products. Visit exparel.com for patient-focused information and provider-facing resources, or call 1-855-RX-EXPAREL (1-855-793-9727) to speak with a Pacira representative who may be able to direct you to facilities in your area that regularly use Exparel.

What If Exparel Isn't Available at My Facility?

If Exparel isn't on your facility's formulary, you have a few options:

• Ask your surgeon to request a formulary exception if clinical justification exists.
• Consider whether a different in-network facility in your area carries it on formulary.
• Ask your surgical team what pain management alternatives they'll use instead and ensure a comprehensive non-opioid plan is in place.

Need Help Finding Your Post-Surgery Medications?

While Exparel is a hospital drug, your post-surgery oral medications — pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, and more — will need to be filled at a retail pharmacy. medfinder is a paid service that calls local pharmacies to check which ones have your prescription in stock, and texts you the results. It's ideal for the post-discharge period when you need your medications quickly and can't spend time on hold.

Related: How to Find Exparel in Stock Near You (Tools + Tips).