FDA approves treatment for fat below the chin

By Rosie Wilson

Kybella or ATX-101, a drug manufactured by Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, has been approved by the FDA to target the moderate to severe fat under the chin.

The approval follows two clinical trials that enrolled 1,022 participants.  The FDA explained that Kybella will destroy submental fat when it is injected into the treatment area, but warn that it has potential to destroy other cells such as skin cells if it is administered incorrectly.

Dr. Amy Egan, deputy director of the Office of Drug Evaluation III in the FDA’s centre for Drug Evaluation, said:

“It is important to remember that Kybella is only approved for the treatment for fat below the chin, and it is not known if Kybella is safe or effective for treatment outside of this area.”