Get Your Personalized Supplement StackSupplement Stack Quiz

Deoxycholic Acid

Also known as: Deoxycholic Acid, Deoxycholate

Overview

Deoxycholic acid (DCA) is a secondary bile acid that is produced by the metabolism of primary bile acids within the gastrointestinal tract. This compound, found naturally in the body, can also be synthesized for pharmaceutical use, primarily for the localized reduction of submental fat (double chin) through injection. DCA functions by disrupting adipocyte cell membranes, leading to cell lysis and fat reduction. While numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses have investigated its efficacy in reducing submental fat, the existing body of evidence is marked by low to moderate certainty, largely due to potential industry bias and varying study quality.

Benefits

Research demonstrates that deoxycholic acid significantly reduces submental fat, as evidenced by improvements in clinician-reported and patient-reported metrics, including caliper measurements and magnetic resonance imaging assessments. In a meta-analysis involving 1,838 participants, deoxycholic acid administered at doses of 1 or 2 mg/cm² outperformed placebo in efficacy outcomes. However, there are no substantial secondary benefits reported beyond its primary application for submental fat reduction. Although effective, the extent of fat reduction may vary, and the benefits are typically observed within the treatment session, resolving common side effects shortly thereafter.

How it works

Deoxycholic acid acts as a lipolytic agent, primarily targeting adipose tissue in the submental region. Its mode of action involves disrupting adipocyte cell membranes, leading to cell lysis and the subsequent breakdown of stored fat. This action is facilitated by the detergent-like properties of DCA, which effectively alters cellular integrity at the injection site without significant systemic absorption.

Side effects

Deoxycholic acid is generally regarded as safe; however, it is associated with common adverse effects such as injection site pain, hematoma, erythema, edema, pruritus, nodules, and headache (occurring in over 5% of individuals). Less frequent adverse effects, such as fibrosis and skin laxity, occur in 1-5% of cases, while rare side effects (less than 1%) have not been well-documented. Caution is advised for individuals with active infections in the treatment area, bleeding disorders, or those using anticoagulants, as the risk of complications may be elevated. Additionally, co-administration with other injectable treatments in the same area is generally not recommended due to limited data on drug interactions.

Dosage

The recommended dosage range for deoxycholic acid is typically 1 to 2 mg/cm², with a minimum effective dose established at 1 mg/cm². Although both doses have displayed significant efficacy, there is no substantial difference between them. Treatments are usually spaced about 4-6 weeks apart to facilitate recovery and minimize adverse effects. While doses exceeding 2 mg/cm² are not commonly employed, no definitive maximum safe dose has been established. Deoxycholic acid is administered via direct injection into the submental area, and its local action minimizes systemic absorption.

FAQs

How often can I get treatments?

Treatments are typically spaced 4-6 weeks apart to allow for resolution of adverse effects.

What are the common side effects?

Common side effects include injection site pain, swelling, erythema, and transient adverse effects that resolve quickly.

Is it safe?

Deoxycholic acid is generally considered safe, though it can cause adverse effects that are usually well-tolerated.

What can I expect in terms of results?

Patients can expect a reduction in submental fat, but individual results may vary in extent.

Can I use it for overall fat reduction?

Deoxycholic acid is specifically designed for targeting submental fat and is not a substitute for weight loss.

Research Sources

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37806137/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of deoxycholic acid for submental fat reduction, encompassing five studies with a total of 5756 initial results. The analysis found significant efficacy outcomes but noted potential industry bias impacting the reliability of findings.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33523775/ – In a systematic review of RCTs involving 1,838 participants, the efficacy of injectable deoxycholic acid (1 or 2 mg/cm²) showed significant improvements over placebo in all measures, confirming its effectiveness and safety for reducing submental fat.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33976376/ – This study focused on the efficacy and safety of deoxycholic acid for submental fat reduction, highlighting its effectiveness while acknowledging well-tolerated adverse effects and potential biases across the analyzed studies.
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0305170 – The research emphasizes that deoxycholic acid is effective in reducing submental fat, although concerns regarding industry bias were raised, which may affect the interpretation of the safety and efficacy outcomes.
https://www.scielo.br/j/clin/a/5cWw8nFbntzMFDQYnCd8GKc/abstract/?lang=en – In this reviewed literature, the effectiveness of deoxycholic acid in submental fat reduction was affirmed, along with a discussion on the well-tolerated nature of its adverse effects, underscoring the need for caution due to potential biases in the research.