Encapsulated Medications in Contemporary Anesthesia Practice: Clinically Relevant Formulations, Evidence, and Practical Use.

Encapsulated drug delivery systems may extend analgesic duration and optimize tissue distribution, through modification of the pharmacokinetic profile. Technologies including liposomal formulations, polymer-based depots, implantable matrices, in situ-forming depots, and cyclodextrin inclusion complexes enable sustained release or selective molecular sequestration of pharmacologic agents. These approaches are particularly useful for regional anesthesia and acute pain medicine, where prolonged analgesia and opioid-sparing strategies enhance recovery pathways. Clinically available products include liposomal bupivacaine, polymer-based bupivacaine-meloxicam, bupivacaine collagen implants, procedure-specific depot bupivacaine, and sugammadex.