Treatment of submental fat

Abstract

This disclosure relates to compositions, kits and methods for non-surgical reduction of localized subcutaneous fat such as that associated with a cosmetic fat accumulation. The methods employ compositions having specific concentrations of a salt of deoxycholic acid which provides a superior fat cell necrosis with modest adverse effects. Examples of localized subcutaneous fat are found in the submental area, in particular under the chin.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method for decreasing submental fat in a subject, said method comprising
 (a) applying a grid pattern to mark injection sites spaced about 1.0 cm apart from each other at a treatment area of the subject; and   (b) administering a plurality of subcutaneous injections to the treatment area, one injection administered per injection site as marked by the grid pattern;   
       wherein each injection comprises a solution comprising 2 mg of deoxycholic acid, or a salt thereof; each injection has a volume of 0.2 mL; and each injection is administered at a depth of approximately mid-way into the submental fat. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising palpating the treatment area prior to administering the plurality of subcutaneous injections. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising massaging the treatment area after completion of the administration of the plurality of subcutaneous injections. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of subcutaneous injections has a total volume of up to 10 mL. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of subcutaneous injections contains up to 50 injections. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein steps (a) and (b) are repeated up to 6 times. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein steps (a) and (b) are repeated at 4-week (±5 days) intervals. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the grid pattern comprises a plurality of spots, each spot spaced about 1.0 cm apart from each other. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein one injection is administered at each spot. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the plurality of spots comprises at least 20 spots. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein each injection is administered using a syringe with a 30-gauge, 0.5-inch needle.