An injectable drug called ATX-101 may offer a painless solution for people who want to get rid of their double chin.
An advisory panel at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has unanimously voted for the ATX-101, which dissolves double chin. The drug that includes deoxycholic acid can be injected under the chin and dissolve the excess fat in the region.
"We are pleased that the FDA advisory committee recognized the importance of providing patients with a clinically-proven treatment option specifically developed to contour submental fullness, a much-cited yet undertreated facial aesthetic complaint," says Frederick C. Beddingfield, III, the chief medical officer of Kythera Biopharmaceuticals, the company behind ATX-101.
If the drug is approved, it will offer a non-invasive and cost-effective treatment for double chin. Current methods for dealing with the issue involve plastic surgery, liposuction and neck lifts, which can cost between $800 and $2,500.
Dr. Leo McCafferty, one of the most well-known cosmetic surgeon in the Pittsburgh area, suggests that the current trend of various treatments is to find a non-invasive method that involves very little risk. People opting for various cosmetic surgeries also want very low downtime and, at the same time, want to see improvements.
Dr. McCafferty suggests that a drug that can reduce or remove double chin may be accepted well in the market and doctors may prefer to offer such a drug to their patients. The treatment will just involve a syringe, the drug and a needle. It will eliminate the need for expensive equipment that could cost thousands of dollars.
However, double chin removal injection will be best suited for people with good skin tone as the drug will tighten the loose skin in the region. ATX-101 works by reducing the fat in the small pouch in the chin.
"I think this is just another tool that we'll have, but it isn't going to be a panacea for all double chins," says McCafferty.
Kythera suggests that the drug has been under development for more than eight years. The drug has been the subject of 19 clinical studies, which involved more than 2,600 patients. Kythera also pointed out that about 7 in 10 people are concerned about double chin.
Although the pricing of the product has not yet been finalized, its cost may be very similar to that of Botox. Concerned people may opt for the drug due to the non-invasive and cost-effective aspects.
Even though the advisory panel has voted for ATX-101, the final decision still lies with the FDA and that final decision is estimated due in May. However, the FDA normally follows the advisor panel's recommendations, which means that the drug may be commercially available soon.
Photo: Bradley Gordon | Flickr
