What Is Kybella Used For?
Kybella (deoxycholic acid) improves the look of moderate to severe fat under the chin, also known as “double chin.” The maximum number of treatments you can get with Kybella is six, spaced at least one month apart.
Brand Name(s): Kybella
Drug Availability: Prescription
Therapeutic Classification: Cytolytic
Available Generically: No
Controlled Substance: N/A
Administration Route: Subcutaneous injection (under the skin)
Active Ingredient: Deoxycholic Acid
Dosage Form(s): Injection
How to Take Kybella
Your healthcare provider will administer this injection as a shot into the fatty part of your skin. Kybella will not be injected into your vein or artery as it may damage your blood vessel. Avoid injections near the nerves of the lower lip (marginal mandibular nerve) and the superficial neck muscle (platysma area) to prevent nerve damage.
Apply pressure to the injected site to reduce bleeding, if needed. Use topical pain creams, ice packs, or cold packs on the injection site to relieve pain or swelling.
Each vial label of Kybella has a hologram. If your healthcare provider does not see the hologram on the vial, they should not use it, and should call 1-800-678-1605.
Storage
Store intact vials at room temperature (68 to 77 degrees F). However, excursions are permitted between cool and mildly hot temperatures (59 degrees and 86 degrees F).
If you need to keep this medicine at home, see your healthcare provider or pharmacist for instructions.
What Are the Side Effects of Kybella?
This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. A medical professional can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or a medical professional. You may report side effects to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at fda.gov/medwatch or 800-FDA-1088.
Many people notice no negative side effects at all from taking Kybella. However, some people do experience problems while taking the medication.
Common Side Effects
Common side effects of Kybella include but are not limited to:
Swelling Injection site bleeding Redness Numbness or hardened injection area Headache Bruising
Severe Side Effects
Kybella can cause many side effects. Some may be life-threatening. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or think you have a medical emergency. Severe side effects include:
Uneven smile Facial weakness Drainage Trouble swallowing Skin temperature change Change in skin color Injection site skin sores Skin ulcers and pain Signs of an allergic reaction Injection site alopecia Injection site bruising/bleeding
If you develop ulcer or necrosis, your healthcare provider may delay injection until the ulcer or necrosis is gone.
Dosage: How Much Kybella Should I Use?
Your healthcare provider will determine and administer the proper dosage of Kybella for you.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your provider may send a report to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program or by phone (800-332-1088).
Modifications
Pregnancy: The safety of Kybella in pregnant people is unknown. Contact your healthcare provider for directions.
Breastfeeding: It is not known if deoxycholic acid is present in breast milk. Ask your healthcare provider what to do.
Children: The safety of Kybella in children is unknown.
Adults over 65 years: Clinical trials did not include sufficient numbers of people in this age group to see if they responded differently from younger people. For this group, Kybella should be started at a lower dose.
Missed Dose
Call your healthcare provider to find out what to do about a missed dose.
Try to find ways that work for you to help yourself remember to routinely keep your appointments and take your medication.
Overdose: What Happens if I Inject Too Much Kybella?
Using too much Kybella may increase the risk of severe side effects.
Precautions
What Are Reasons I Shouldn’t Use Kybella?
Avoid taking Kybella if you have any infection at the injection sites or have trouble swallowing.
If someone collapses or isn’t breathing after injecting Kybella, call 911 immediately.
This medicine may cause nerve injury in the jaw. Check with your doctor right away if you have an uneven smile or muscle weakness in the face.
Tell your doctor if you are using an antiplatelet medicine (eg, aspirin) or a blood thinner (eg, warfarin). These medicines may increase the risk of bleeding or bruising in the treatment area.
This medicine may cause injection site reactions (eg, ulcers, necrosis, and infection). Check with your doctor right away if you have pain, redness, swelling, or open sores at the injection site.
What Other Medications Interact With Kybella?
Certain medications interact with Kybella. They may increase the risk of side effects, especially bleeding or bruising. Some drugs to avoid are:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as:
Motrin (ibuprofen)Voltaren (diclofenac)
Anticoagulants such as:
Xarelto (rivaroxaban)Pradaxa (dabigatran)Eliquis (apixaban)
What Medications Are Similar?
There are currently no other lypolytic drugs.
How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Kybella?
Although Kybella may be safe and effective in improving the appearance of a double chin, it may cause some side effects like headache, numbness, bruising, or swelling. Speak to your healthcare provider if your side effects become bothersome or do not go away.
SwellingInjection site bleedingRednessNumbness or hardened injection area HeadacheBruising
