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What is KYBELLA®?
KYBELLA® is a prescription medicine used in adults to improve the appearance and profile of moderate to severe fat below the chin (submental fat), also called “double chin."
It is not known if KYBELLA® is safe and effective for use outside of the submental area or in children less than 18 years of age.
Who should not receive KYBELLA®?
You should not receive KYBELLA® if you have an infection in the treatment area.
Before receiving KYBELLA®, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: Have had or plan to have surgery on your face, neck, or chin; have had cosmetic treatments on your face, neck, or chin; have had or have medical conditions in or near the neck area; have had or have trouble swallowing; have bleeding problems;
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant (it is not known if KYBELLA® will harm your unborn baby); are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed (it is not known if KYBELLA® passes into your breast milk; talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you receive KYBELLA®).
Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take a medicine that prevents the clotting of your blood (antiplatelet or anticoagulant medicine)
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Kybella® work?
The active ingredient in KYBELLA® is synthetic deoxycholic acid. Deoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring molecule in the body that aids in the breakdown and absorption of dietary fat. When injected into the fat beneath the chin, KYBELLA® destroys fat cells, and once destroyed, these cells can no longer store or accumulate fat. This results in a noticeable reduction in fullness under the chin, revealing an improved chin profile.
What to expect with Kybella®?
Before starting treatment, your healthcare specialist will examine the area under and around your chin to determine if KYBELLA® is right for you. Then, your specialist will tailor your treatment to the amount of fat under the chin and your aesthetic goals.
Is Kybella® right for me?
Only you and your doctor can decide if KYBELLA® is right for you. If you’re bothered by fullness under your chin and wish to avoid surgery, ask your doctor about KYBELLA®.
It is not known if KYBELLA® is safe and effective for use outside of the submental area or in children less than 18 years of age.
How many KYBELLA® treatment sessions will I need?
Your specialist will create a tailored treatment plan based on your chin profile. At each treatment, you will be given multiple small injections under your chin. You may receive up to 6 treatment sessions, spaced at least 1 month apart. Many patients experience visible results in 2 to 4 KYBELLA® treatments. 59% of patients received 6 treatments in clinical studies.
In clinical studies, results for KYBELLA®-treated patients who had
- A ≥1-grade composite combined physician- and patient-rated improvement were 8% (1 treatment), 28% (2 treatments), 43% (3 treatments), 55% (4 treatments), 66% (5 treatments) and 72% (6 treatments), compared with 2% (1 treatment), 7% (2 treatments), 12% (3 treatments), 14% (4 treatments), 15% (5 treatments), and 22% (6 treatments) of patients treated with placebo
- A ≥2-grade composite combined physician- and patient-rated improvement were 0% (1 treatment), 0.2% (2 treatments), 0.8% (3 treatments), 3.5% (4 treatments), 3.9% (5 treatments) and 15% (6 treatments) compared with 0% (1 treatment), 0.2% (2 treatments), 0.2% (3 treatments), 0.5% (4 treatments), 0.2% (5 treatments), and 1.5% (6 treatments) of patients treated with placebo
What are the possible side effects of KYBELLA®?
KYBELLA® can cause serious side effects, including nerve injury in the jaw that can temporarily cause an uneven smile or facial muscle weakness (experienced by 4 out of 100 people in clinical studies) and trouble swallowing (experienced by 2 out of 100 people in clinical studies). In clinical studies, nerve injury in the jaw resolved on its own in a median of 44 days (range of 1 to 298 days), and trouble swallowing resolved on its own in a median of 3 days (range of 1 to 81 days).
The most common side effects occur in the treatment area and include:
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Pain
- Numbness
- Redness
- Areas of hardness
Side effects are usually temporary and often resolve on their own.