Kybella to reduce double chin: FDA approved to destroy fat cells

I avoid coverage of drugs and cosmetic procedures, but I thought this one might be of interest to a lot readers. It's exciting news but I'm also torn because I personally would never, ever recommend a brand new drug with no post-marketing data. So no, I do not recommend this one, but read on.

Yesterday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Kybella as a treatment for adult submental fat (fat below the chin). Kybella is a cytolytic drug that will physically destroy the cell membrane when injected into tissues. When properly injected into submental fat, the drug destroys fat cells. When improperly injected, it can also destroy other types of cells, such as skin cells. It can cause nerve damage among other problems. Read more about it on the FDA website.

Is Kybella safe to use? Kybella has been approved by the FDA, but doctors will need to be trained on the proper injection techniques in order to be able to safely and efficaciously inject patients. Kybella price and availability has not yet been made available by the manufacturer.

What does that mean for those with fatty chins? This new drug is something you can consider talking to your doctor about. I wouldn't jump into it because of the severe adverse effects of the drug. Read up on the clinical trials, analyze risks vs benefits and get your doctor's clinical opinion.