New injectible claims to zap double chins
A new drug capable of leveling out a double chin will be reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 9, according to Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, which is to market the drug should it get the nod.
The drug, called ATX-101, is in late-stage clinical trials and would become the first FDA-approved injectable drug for contouring a double chin.
It works by destroying fat cells without damaging surrounding tissue and Kythera says on its website that new collagen could form in the area as a natural response to the fat-zapping.
The drug kicks into action after several injections, the exact number of which depends on the desired outcome and the amount of fat on the chin.
The injections can be spaced a month apart, according to the company.
Clinical trials of the drug, which is a purified synthetic version of deoxycholic acid, administered between four and six injections per participant and side effects were minor and temporary, according to Kytheria.
Deoxycholic acid occurs naturally in the body and helps breakdown dietary fat, according to Kytheria.
Kytheria’s website notes that diet and exercise are sometimes not enough to smooth out a double chin.
