Deoxycholic Acid Injection

WHY is this medicine prescribed?

Deoxycholic acid injection is used to improve the appearance and profile of moderate to severe submental fat ('double chin'; fatty tissue located under the chin). Deoxycholic acid injection is in a class of medications called cytolytic medications. It works by breaking down cells in fatty tissue.

HOW should this medicine be used?

Deoxycholic acid injection comes as a liquid to be injected subcutaneously (just under the skin) by a doctor. Your doctor will choose the best place to inject the medication in order to treat your condition. You may receive up to 50 injections in a single treatment session. You may receive up to 6 additional treatment sessions, each spaced 1 month apart, depending on your condition and response as recommended by your doctor.

Your doctor may use an anesthetic cream, or a cold pack, to numb your skin before injecting deoxycholic acid.

Are there OTHER USES for this medicine?

This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

What SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS should I follow?

Before receiving deoxycholic acid injection,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to deoxycholic acid, any other medications, or any of the ingredients in deoxycholic acid injection. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention if you take any medication that prevents your blood from clotting, including anticoagulant medications or aspirin or other antiplatelet medications. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
• tell your doctor if you have swelling or other signs of infection in the area where deoxycholic acid will be injected. Your doctor will not inject the medication into an infected area.
• tell your doctor if you have had cosmetic treatments or surgery to your face, neck, or chin or have had or have medical conditions in or near the neck area, bleeding problems, or difficulty swallowing.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while receiving deoxycholic acid injection, call your doctor.

What SPECIAL DIETARY instructions should I follow?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

What SIDE EFFECTS can this medicine cause?

Deoxycholic acid injection may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• swelling, warmth, numbness, or bruising in the place where you received the injection
• hardness in the place where you received the injection
• hair loss in the place where you received the injection
• itching
• headache
• nausea

Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• difficulty swallowing
• pain or tightness in the face or neck
• uneven smile
• face muscle weakness
• pain, redness, bleeding, sores, or drainage where you received the injection
• rash, hives, itching

Deoxycholic acid injection may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while receiving this medication.

If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (https://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).

What should I do in case of OVERDOSE?

In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at 1-800-222-1222. Information is also available online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

What OTHER INFORMATION should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about deoxycholic acid injection.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

This report on medications is for your information only, and is not considered individual patient advice. Because of the changing nature of drug information, please consult your physician or pharmacist about specific clinical use.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. represents that the information provided hereunder was formulated with a reasonable standard of care, and in conformity with professional standards in the field. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, including, but not limited to, any implied warranty of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to such information and specifically disclaims all such warranties. Users are advised that decisions regarding drug therapy are complex medical decisions requiring the independent, informed decision of an appropriate health care professional, and the information is provided for informational purposes only. The entire monograph for a drug should be reviewed for a thorough understanding of the drug's actions, uses and side effects. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, Inc. does not endorse or recommend the use of any drug. The information is not a substitute for medical care.

AHFS^® Patient Medication Information™. © Copyright, 2024. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists^®, 4500 East-West Highway, Suite 900, Bethesda, Maryland. All Rights Reserved. Duplication for commercial use must be authorized by ASHP.

Selected Revisions: November 15, 2022.