EXPAREL vs MARCAINE

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 20, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. EXPAREL and MARCAINE are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	EXPAREL	MARCAINE
Rating	70/100	60/100
Pharmacy pays	$0.06 /mL	$0.06 /mL
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	BUPIVACAINE	BUPIVACAINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Manufacturer	Pacira Pharms Inc	Hospira
Dosage forms	Injectable, Liposomal	Injectable
Drug class	Amide Local Anesthetic	Amide Local Anesthetic
Boxed warning	None	None
Treats	Postoperative Pain	Postoperative Pain

exparel marcaine

Rating

70/100

60/100

Pharmacy pays

$0.06 /mL

Type

Active ingredient

BUPIVACAINE

BUPIVACAINE HYDROCHLORIDE

Manufacturer

Pacira Pharms Inc

Hospira

Dosage forms

Injectable, Liposomal

Injectable

Drug class

Amide Local Anesthetic

Boxed warning

None

Treats

Postoperative Pain

Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Exparel or Marcaine?

By our independent rating, Exparel scores higher — 3.5 vs 3.0 out of 5 for Marcaine. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data.

Which is cheaper, Exparel or Marcaine?

Pharmacies pay about the same to acquire either one — roughly $0.06 per ml, per the CMS NADAC survey. That is not what you will be charged: your price is set by your insurer and the pharmacy, not by what the drug cost them.

What is the difference between Exparel and Marcaine?

Exparel contains Bupivacaine, while Marcaine contains Bupivacaine Hydrochloride — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.