I'm being quoted $1,500 dollars for Exparel. Does that seem reasonable? Is there a cheaper generic available?

Question

I was quoted $1,500 for Exparel by the board certified P.S. I'm considering having a TT with at a surgery center. The $1500 is an addt'l cost just for the exparel alone, not for any part of the surgery itself. This seems exorbitant based on other quotes I've gotten and info I've found online. The Dr's office insists they don't mark the price up at all. Could that possibly be true? What do you charge for exparel? Is there a cheaper, generic, long-acting local that I could ask them to use instead?

William Bruno, MD · Answer

The cost of Exparel from the company directly is about $310 per vial, which is the amount used for a tummy tuck. Not sure why you were quoted $1500.Best wishes,Dr.Bruno

John J. Corey, MD · Answer

I agree… It seems excessive I do use expert out on a routine basis and I found it far more effective than the OnQ pain pumps I was using and less hassle. One vial of 20 mL is about $350 and then I  mix it with 80 mL of saline. That gives me a total of 100 mL and I inject 50 mL into the muscle on each side of the midline.  My patients are extremely comfortable for about four days plus or minus.  And in reality the cost is about the same as the pain pump was and it works much better.  maybe your doctor is not diluting it ???

Scott Reis, MD · Answer

Depending on the manufacturer's negotiated contract with each facility/provider, the cost per vial ranges from about $350-$550. Personally, I charge $500 which is essentially at cost for me. For this amount I strongly encourage my patients to include this in their surgical package, as the pain improvement (especially after tummy tuck) is dramatic. $1500 definitely seems excessive, unless multiple vials will be used. However, if more than the 20cc in each vial is needed the surgeon can just dilute it with saline to get more volume and have minimal impact of efficacy or longevity. Exparel is relatively new to the market (several years now) so is still under patent protection. Unfortunately, there won't be any cheaper generics for many years

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

Exparel is indeed pricey esiecially if you need a lot of it.  Personally I've never used it or found the need in tummy tucks.  I do inject marcsine which is like exparel but only lasts 12 hours,  but it's basically free so you might ask about that.

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello,Dishonesty is a pet peeve of mine.  If that's the way this surgeon wants to start a relationship with you, you should think twice about proceeding. He's marking up a product that has debatable improvement in pain reduction over cheaper anesthetics by about 500%. Best of luck!

I'm being quoted $1,500 dollars for Exparel. Does that seem reasonable? Is there a cheaper generic available?

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Answer: Exparel

Answer: Exparel

Answer: Price Gouging

Answer: Price Gouging

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Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

I'm being quoted $1,500 dollars for Exparel. Does that seem reasonable? Is there a cheaper generic available?

Answers (10)

Answer: Exparel

Answer: Exparel

Answer: Price Gouging

Answer: Price Gouging

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.