A Systematic Review of Injectable Lipolytic Agents for Nonsubmental Fat Reduction.
Kassandra Carrion, Sophia Salingaros, Carter Bernal et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review assessed injectable lipolytic agents for localized fat reduction outside the submental region. It included 25 studies involving 3178 patients treated with agents such as deoxycholic acid, phosphatidylcholine, CBL-514, and caffeine-hyaluronic acid. Reductions in localized adiposity were reported in 93.75% of studies, although only 37.5% reported statistically significant results. Adverse events were generally mild and transient, while patient satisfaction ranged from 57.1% to 86%. The authors describe these treatments as promising but note that stronger evidence is needed to establish protocols, long-term efficacy, and cost-effectiveness.
Key findings
- Of 25 included studies, 93.75% reported reduced localized adiposity; 37.5% reported statistically significant reductions.
- Across studies, patient satisfaction ranged from 57.1% to 86%.
- Adverse events were generally mild and transient.
- Multiple treatment sessions made injectables costlier than single-session liposuction, but costs were competitive with cryolipolysis.
Why it matters
The review summarizes an emerging option for nonsubmental localized fat reduction and highlights both reported benefits and practical trade-offs. The findings may inform discussions of minimally invasive approaches, but the limited proportion of studies with statistically significant results and the need for standardized protocols and long-term evaluation mean that efficacy and value remain uncertain.
What to keep in mind
The review identifies a need for further clinical trials to standardize treatment protocols, assess long-term efficacy, and evaluate cost-effectiveness.