Pharmacokinetics and safety of liposomal bupivacaine after local infiltration in healthy Chinese adults: a phase 1 study

BACKGROUND: Liposomal bupivacaine (LB) is a long-acting formulation of bupivacaine. The safety and efficacy of LB has been demonstrated across surgical procedures. However, pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters and safety of LB in the Chinese population have not been assessed. METHODS: In this single-arm, single center, phase 1, open-label study, PK and safety of local infiltration with LB 266 mg were assessed in healthy Chinese adults. Eligible participants were aged 18 to 55 years with biologic parents and grandparents of Chinese ethnicity, in generally good health (i.e., no clinically significant abnormalities), and with a body mass index (BMI) 19.0 to 24.0 kg/m(2) (inclusive) and body weight ≥ 50 kg. RESULTS: Participants (N = 20) were predominantly men (80 %); mean age was 32 years; and mean BMI was 21.8 kg/m(2). After LB administration, mean plasma levels of bupivacaine rapidly increased during the first hour and continued to increase through 24 h; plasma levels then gradually decreased through 108 h followed by a monoexponential decrease through 312 h. Geometric mean maximum plasma concentration was 170.9 ng/mL; the highest plasma bupivacaine concentration detected in any participant was 374.0 ng/mL. Twenty-two treatment-emergent adverse events were reported (mild, n = 21; moderate, n = 1). CONCLUSIONS: After single-dose administration of LB, PK measures were similar to a previously reported profile in US adults. The highest observed peak plasma concentration of bupivacaine was several-fold below the plasma concentration threshold accepted as being associated with neurotoxicity or cardiotoxicity (2000–4000 ng/mL). These data support that LB is well tolerated and safe in individuals of Chinese descent. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04158102 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier), Date of registration: November 5, 2019. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12871-021-01407-5.