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
What are the side effects of Kybella (deoxycholic acid)?
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%)
Other Side Effects
- Headache
- Throat pain
- Nausea
- High blood pressure
- Skin tightness at injection site
- Skin warmth at injection site
- Nerve injury at injection site
Serious Side Effects
- Nerve injury: uneven smile, facial muscle weakness
- Trouble swallowing: pain while swallowing, unable to swallow, drooling, gagging
Source: DailyMed
More on Kybella (deoxycholic acid) side effects
The following 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.
Frequently asked questions about Kybella (deoxycholic acid)
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What are the 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 forms
Typical dosing 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
Infection at the injection site(s)
What is the latest news about Kybella (deoxycholic acid)?
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References
Best studies we foundAbbVie. (2024). About Kybella®.
Beer, K., et al. (2019). ATX-101 (deoxycholic acid injection) for reduction of submental fat: Results from a 12-month open-label study. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology.
Humphrey, S., et al. (2021). Improvements in submental contour up to 3 years after ATX-101: Efficacy and safety follow-up of the phase 3 REFINE trials. Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
Kythera Biopharmaceuticals Inc. (2024). Kybella- deoxycholic acid injection, solution [package insert]. DailyMed.
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