The present invention relates to novel anesthetic compositions containing anon-polymeric carrier material and an anesthetic, where the compositions aresuitable for providing a sustained local anesthesia without an initial burstand having a duration for about 24 hours or longer. Certain compositions arealso provided that include a first anesthetic and a second anesthetic. In suchcompositions, the second anesthetic is a solvent for the first anesthetic andprovides an initial anesthetic effect upon administration to a subject. Thenon-polymeric carrier may optionally be a high viscosity liquid carriermaterial such as a suitable sugar ester. The compositions can further includeone or more additional ingredients including active and inactive materials.Methods of using the compositions of the invention to produce a sustainedanesthetic effect at a site in a subject are also provided. Preferably thecomposition contains bupivacaine and a sugar ester such as saib.
