Kybella
Kybella (deoxycholic acid) is an injection used to reduce fat below the chin, helping to minimize the appearance of a "double chin" in adults. It's injected under the skin by a trained healthcare professional, with at least a month between each treatment. You can have up to 6 treatments total, but some people might need fewer. Possible side effects include swelling, pain, and redness at the injection site.
What is Kybella (deoxycholic acid)?
What is Kybella (deoxycholic acid) used for?
- To improve the appearance of fat below the chin ("double chin")
How Kybella (deoxycholic acid) works
Kybella (deoxycholic acid) is a cytolytic, or "cell-killing" medication. It destroys the fat cells in your chin area to help reduce the appearance of a "double chin."
Drug facts
Side effects of Kybella (deoxycholic acid)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Swelling at injection site (87%)
- Bruising at injection site (72%)
- Pain at injection site (70%)
- Numbness at injection site (66%)
- Redness at injection site (27%)
- Hardening of skin at injection site (23%)
- Tingling at injection site (14%)
- Lump in skin at injection site (13%)
- Itching at injection site (12%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Headache
- Throat pain
- Nausea
- High blood pressure
- Skin tightness at injection site
- Skin warmth at injection site
- Nerve injury at injection site
Kybella (deoxycholic acid) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Nerve injury: uneven smile, facial muscle weakness
- Trouble swallowing: pain while swallowing, unable to swallow, drooling, gagging
More on Kybella (deoxycholic acid) side effects
The following Kybella (deoxycholic acid) side effects have also been reported
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Numbness or weakness of the face, uneven smile
- Pain or trouble swallowing
- Skin infection—skin redness, swelling, warmth, or pain at the injection site
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Pros and cons of Kybella (deoxycholic acid)
Pros
- FDA approved to improve the appearance of a "double chin"
- About 85% of people reported being happy with the results
- Injection process takes a total of 15 to 20 minutes
Cons
- Commonly causes swelling, pain, and redness at the injection sites
- Can cause some serious, temporary side effects, such as facial nerve problems and trouble swallowing
- Might need multiple treatments
Pharmacist tips for Kybella (deoxycholic acid)
- Before you get Kybella (deoxycholic acid), tell your prescriber if you have or plan to have any surgery or cosmetic treatments on your face, neck, or chin. They'll make sure this medication is safe for you.
- Tell your care team about all of the medications you're taking, especially if you're taking blood thinners since Kybella (deoxycholic acid) can cause bleeding and bruising at the injection site.
- You might need up to 50 injections of Kybella (deoxycholic acid) in a single treatment session. To minimize pain from the injections, your prescriber might use numbing medication or cold packs during the procedure.
- Discuss the number of Kybella (deoxycholic acid) treatments you'll need with your prescriber. Each treatment should be spaced at least one month apart, and this medication is FDA approved for up to 6 treatment sessions.
- Kybella (deoxycholic acid) can cause facial nerve problems. If you experience symptoms like weakness in the face, an uneven smile, or trouble swallowing, contact your prescriber right away.
- If you develop redness, pain, open sores, or see pus coming from the Kybella (deoxycholic acid) injection sites, talk to your prescriber because those might be signs of an infection.
- Tell your prescriber if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. There isn't enough information to know how safe Kybella (deoxycholic acid) is for you or your baby, so they can discuss the risks and benefits with you.
Common questions about Kybella
Yes, you can apply an ice pack after your Kybella injections to help reduce swelling. Your dermatologist might also apply ice during the procedure to help minimize pain.
There isn't a specific amount of time you need to wait to get Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) or Botox Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) after receiving Kybella injections. Ask your dermatologist when it's appropriate to get your Botox treatment.
Yes, headache is a common side effect of Kybella. In clinical studies, about 8% of people taking Kybella reported headaches after treatment compared to 4% of people who received a placebo (no active medication). You can typically manage headache symptoms at home, but tell your prescriber if the headache is severe or isn't getting better over time.
Because Kybella destroys fat cells, the results can last a long time. In one study, 80% to 90% of people who got six or fewer treatments maintained their results after 12 months.
It isn't clear if the effects of Kybella are permanent, but one study found they lasted for up to 3 years. Keep in mind that your body naturally changes with age, so the appearance of your chin might also change over time.
Swelling after Kybella injections usually gets better within days or weeks. But for some people, it can last longer than 30 days. Tell your prescriber if the swelling is severe or doesn’t improve after a few days.
Your healthcare professional can help minimize pain during Kybella injections by using local anesthetics and cold packs. But during clinical studies, 70% of people reported pain at the injection site as a side effect. Talk to your prescriber about ways to manage pain after getting your injection. They might recommend using ice packs or over-the-counter pain medications to help relieve discomfort.
Kybella doesn't typically tighten skin. It primarily works by killing fat cells under the chin. This helps to reduce fullness under the chin. You might notice tight skin after your injection due to swelling from the medication, but this should go away within a few days or weeks as you heal.
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Risks and warnings for Kybella (deoxycholic acid)
Kybella (deoxycholic acid) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Nerve injury
Kybella (deoxycholic acid) can temporarily affect the nerves that control the lower lip, causing symptoms like uneven smile or facial muscle weakness. In clinical trials, all reported nerve injuries went away on their own, with most resolving in about 44 days. Talk to your prescriber if you have any questions or concerns about this potential side effect.
Trouble swallowing
- Risk factors: History of trouble swallowing
In clinical trials, some people had trouble swallowing after Kybella (deoxycholic acid) injections, usually due to pain, swelling, or firmness under the skin. These cases went away on their own, with most resolving in about 3 days. If you currently have or had difficulty swallowing in the past, talk with your prescriber first to see if this is the right medication for you.
Bleeding and bruising at injection site
- Risk factors: History of bleeding problems \ Taking blood thinners
Kybella (deoxycholic acid) may cause bleeding and bruising at the injection site. If you have a bleeding problem or are taking blood thinners, talk to your prescriber. These conditions or medications can raise the risk of excessive bleeding or bruising in the treatment area.
Hair loss at injection site
Some people have experienced hair loss at the injection site after receiving Kybella (deoxycholic acid). The timing and length of this side effect can vary from person to person. Talk to your prescriber if this happens, as they might recommend delaying further treatments until the side effect goes away.
Infection
There have been reports of injection site ulcers, tissue damage, and infections after injection with Kybella (deoxycholic acid). Talk to your healthcare provider if you notice any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or pain.
Kybella (deoxycholic acid) dosage
Typical dosage for Kybella (deoxycholic acid)
This medication must be injected by a trained healthcare professional.
During a single treatment, you can receive up to 50 injections of 0.2 mL each in the area under your chin. The exact number of injections will depend on the amount of fat you have under the chin.
Kybella (deoxycholic acid) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Kybella (deoxycholic acid) will not be safe for you to take.
- Infection at the injection site(s)
