TheraRadar
Data updated: May 26, 2026

DEOXYCHOLIC ACID

Trial Activity: Declining
Dermatology Approved 2021-04-02

Kybella helps adult patients improve the appearance of moderate to severe fullness or convexity under the chin caused by submental fat. It is used specifically for this area, as its use for fat in other parts of the body has not been established. This medication provides a way to reduce fat deposits located directly beneath the chin.

Source: FDA Label • WILSHIRE PHARMS INC • Cytolytic Agent

How DEOXYCHOLIC ACID Works

This drug works by physically destroying the cell membrane when it is injected into tissue. This action causes lysis, which results in the breakdown of the targeted cells.

Source: FDA Label

Development Insights

Massachusetts General Hospital conducting 1 trials (33%)
6 indications explored (Moderate)
neurofibromatosis 1 (1 trials)
brassiere strap fat (bsf) (1 trials)
bra strap fat (bsf) (1 trials)
1
Indication
--
Phase 3 Trials
5
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
2021-04-02
Routes
SUBCUTANEOUS
Dosage Forms
SOLUTION

Companies

Active Ingredient: DEOXYCHOLIC ACID

DEOXYCHOLIC ACID Approval History

2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
2 FDA actions from 2021 to 2023
Jun 2023 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Apr 2021 ORIGINAL
Update

What DEOXYCHOLIC ACID Treats

1 indications

DEOXYCHOLIC ACID is approved for 1 conditions since its original approval in 2021. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Submental Fat
Source: FDA Label

Drugs Similar to DEOXYCHOLIC ACID

FDA-approved drugs for similar conditions. Compare mechanisms and indications to understand treatment alternatives.

KYBELLA
DEOXYCHOLIC ACID
1 shared
AbbVie
Shared indications:
Submental Fat
📋

Clinical Trial Registry

3 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT06132165 2023P002152 Ph 1 completed Efficacy of Skin Cooling in Reducing Pain Associated With Non-invasive Treatments of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 Cutaneous Neurofibromas
NCT04089722 60E56 Ph 4 completed Efficacy and Safety of Deoxycholic Acid Injections for Removal of Adipose Tissue in the "Bra Strap Fat" Region
NCT02035267 results posted ATX-101-13-27 Ph 3 completed Safety Study of ATX-101 (Deoxycholic Acid) in Subjects With Mild or Extreme Fullness of Submental Fat
🔬

Active Pipeline

Pro

Ongoing clinical trials by development phase

Loading...

Key Completed Trials

Pro

Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

Loading...
📊

Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

|
Loading...
Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

DEOXYCHOLIC ACID FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

DEOXYCHOLIC ACID is indicated for the treatment of Submental Fat.

Looking for the branded version?

KYBELLA

Full clinical data, patents, trials, and competitive landscape for deoxycholic acid.

See KYBELLA

Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.

How We Calculate These Metrics

Trial Activity Stage

Measures the current development activity pattern based on trial phases, status, and trends. Important: This measures R&D activity, not commercial lifecycle.

Trial statuses: "Active" means recruiting or ongoing. "Completed" means reached planned endpoint. "Terminated" means stopped early—often due to safety, efficacy, or business reasons.

  • Growth: High proportion of early-phase trials (Phase 1/2), active development
  • Expansion: Significant Phase 3 activity, approaching or pursuing approvals
  • Mature: Substantial Phase 4 post-marketing studies
  • Stable: Mixed phase distribution, steady development
  • Declining: Low active trial ratio, reduced R&D investment