Kybella, also known by its generic name deoxycholic acid, is an injectable drug used to treat submental fullness, or double chin. It works by destroying fat cells under the chin, resulting in a slimmer jawline. Kybella is injected directly into the fat under the chin using a series of injections over multiple treatment sessions.
One vial of Kybella contains 50 mg of deoxycholic acid in 2 mL of solution. The number of Kybella injections that can be obtained from one vial depends on the injection volume used for each injection site. Typically, 0.2 mL or less is injected into each site. With a 0.2 mL injection volume, each vial provides approximately 10 injections.
So for 2 vials of Kybella, containing 100 mg of deoxycholic acid in 4 mL total, the number of 0.2 mL injections that could be obtained is around 20. However, the exact number of injections that can be obtained per vial and in total will depend on the volume injected at each site by the provider.
Determining Injection Volume
The amount of Kybella injected at each site, known as the injection volume, is an important factor in determining the total number of injections available from 2 vials. Here are some key points about Kybella injection volumes:
– The recommended injection volume is 0.2 mL or less per injection site. This helps minimize risk of tissue injury.
– In clinical studies, injection volumes ranged from 0.1 mL to 0.2 mL.
– Using a smaller volume like 0.1 mL provides more injections per vial, while 0.2 mL provides fewer injections.
– The total volume able to be injected in one treatment should not exceed 6 mL, due to potential risk of nerve injury.
– The number of injection sites possible per treatment depends on the volume injected at each site. With 0.2 mL injections, up to 30 sites could be treated per session.
– Providers may adjust injection volume based on the extent of submental fullness and goals for each treatment. More volume may be used for larger treatment areas.
– Overall, the 0.2 mL injection volume is most common and provides a moderate number of injections per vial. But adjusting between 0.1-0.2 mL can increase or decrease total injections based on patient needs.
Number of Injections Per Vial
As noted above, the most typical injection volume is 0.2 mL per injection site when administering Kybella. Using this standard injection volume, here is how many 0.2 mL injections can be obtained from each vial:
– Each vial contains 2 mL of solution.
– With 0.2 mL injected at each site, each vial will provide 10 injections (2 mL divided by 0.2 mL per injection).
– Therefore, with the standard 0.2 mL injection volume, 2 vials of Kybella will provide a total of 20 injections (10 injections per vial).
However, by adjusting the injection volume, more or fewer injections may be achieved:
– Using a smaller 0.1 mL volume, each vial would yield 20 injections and 2 vials would provide 40 injections total.
– Increasing to 0.3 mL per injection, each vial would provide around 6-7 injections, and 2 vials around 13-14 injections.
– At 0.4 mL per injection, 2 vials would contain just 10 injections total (5 injections per vial).
So in summary, using the typical 0.2 mL injection volume, 2 vials of Kybella provide 20 total injections. But the provider can modify the injection volume to increase or decrease the number of injections available.
Number of Treatment Sessions
In addition to the number of injections available per vial and in total from 2 vials, it’s also important to consider the number of treatment sessions required. Key points:
– Kybella requires multiple treatments, spaced at least 1 month apart.
– The FDA recommends waiting until clinical response from earlier treatments is assessed before administering additional injections.
– Most patients require 2-4 treatment sessions for optimal improvement in submental fullness.
– Only up to 6 mL (4 vials) should be injected in one session. Higher volumes increase adverse event risk.
– Therefore, most providers would administer no more than 2 vials (4 mL) per session.
– With 2 vials per session, the 20 available injections could be split over 2-3 sessions based on patient needs.
So while 2 vials provides around 20 0.2 mL injections, they would be administered over the course of multiple treatments for optimal safety and results.
Kybella Treatment Protocol
The number of treatment sessions and injections at each visit will depend on the provider’s preferred protocol. A typical Kybella treatment protocol may look like:
– Initial consultation to determine treatment goals and develop a customized treatment plan. The number of vials per session and planned number of sessions are decided.
– First treatment session: 2 vials are used to deliver 20 injections of 0.2 mL across 10 injection sites on each side of the face. Ice packs help reduce swelling afterwards.
– Follow up 4 weeks later to check initial response. Some reduction in submental fullness should be visible.
– Second session 1 month after first: An additional 2 vials are used to inject 20 more 0.2 mL injections into the submental area. Ice packs applied afterwards again.
– At follow up 1 month later, if an optimal reduction in fullness has been achieved, no further sessions are required. If additional improvement is desired, a third session can be scheduled.
– Third treatment at least 1 month after second, administering the last 20 injections from 2 vials.
– Final follow up 1 month later to complete the Kybella treatment. Three sessions will provide optimal outcome for most patients.
This demonstrates how the injections from 2 vials at a time can be distributed over multiple treatment sessions for gradual improvement in submental fullness. The total sessions required depends on each patient’s individual needs.
Number of Injections Per Treatment Area
In addition to calculating the number of Kybella injections per vial and treatment session, providers also determine how the total injections should be distributed across the submental treatment area. Recommendations include:
– Typically 4-12 injections are administered into the submental fat of each side of the face (left and right sides).
– So each treatment session may involve approximately 8-24 individual injections into the submental fat.
– The injections are spaced evenly across the full treatment area on each side.
– Often, 10 injection sites per side are marked, for 10 injections on the left submental area and 10 on the right.
– This would use the full 20 injections provided in 2 vials at the standard 0.2 mL volume.
– Increasing the number of injection sites per side, such as to 12, allows the vial contents to be more diffusely distributed.
– Fewer injection sites, such as 8 per side, concentrates the dose but requires a larger volume per site be injected.
Again, the provider determines the optimal number of injection sites per treatment area based on the individual patient and treatment goals. But on average, 20 injections from 2 vials can be divided across 8-24 sites in the submental fat per session.
Injection Pattern Protocol
Within the treatment area, Kybella injections are administered using a precise protocol for injection pattern. Key aspects include:
– The first injection is given in the midline of the submental area, directly under the chin.
– Subsequent injections are administered bilaterally, working outward from the midline in a “fanning out” pattern.
– The injections are spaced evenly within the targeted fat area on each side.
– Care is taken to avoid injecting too close to the margins of the submental area.
– Often, the injections are made 1 cm apart in a grid-like pattern to provide even distribution.
– The provider maps out the pattern in advance for systematic delivery of each injection.
– Occasionally, a cross-hatching technique is used, with two rows of injections across the treatment zone.
– Repeating the same injection pattern at each subsequent session helps ensure even dosing.
A consistent injection technique and pattern is important for precision dosing and minimizing adverse effects when administering Kybella. Using an organized approach provides optimal results.
Adjusting Total Injections Per Course of Treatment
While Kybella vials provide a fixed number of injections, the total number of injections given over a full course of treatment is adjustable based on the extent of submental fullness and treatment goals:
– Mild fullness may require as few as 20-40 total injections over 2-3 sessions.
– Moderate fullness usually responds best to 40-60 injections over 3-4 sessions.
– More significant submental fat may need 60-80 total injections over 4 or more treatments.
– At each session, no more than 50 mg (2 vials) should be administered. So more significant fullness requires more sessions to safely deliver higher total doses.
– Obese patients may require doses at the higher end of the range due to increased submental fat content.
The total number of Kybella treatment sessions and injections is tailored for each patient. The provider continually assesses response and adjusts remaining doses to avoid over-treatment. This achieves an optimal reduction in submental fullness customized for the individual.
Cost Analysis
The number of Kybella vials required for a full course of treatment also impacts the total cost for the patient. Key cost considerations include:
– Each vial of Kybella costs approximately $1,200 – $1,500.
– With 2 vials used per session, each treatment costs $2,400 – $3,000 just for the Kybella itself.
– At 3 treatment sessions, the total Kybella cost would be around $7,200 – $9,000.
– More extensive submental fat requiring 4-5 sessions totals $9,600 – $15,000 or more just for the Kybella product.
– There are also additional costs for the injection appointments themselves, anesthesia if used, and other fees.
– Overall, the average total cost of Kybella treatment ranges from $2,000 – $15,000 depending on the number of vials required.
Understanding the cost implications of the number of Kybella vials needed for the full course of treatment helps patients budget appropriately. Modifying the per-treatment dosage can also help manage costs.
Maximizing Vial Use
To optimize utilization of the Kybella product and minimize wasted product, providers employ several helpful strategies:
– Careful treatment planning ensures no more than the necessary amount of vials are opened and prepared.
– Once a vial seal is punctured, the contents should be used promptly to maintain sterility.
– If a single vial will be enough for a smaller treatment area, only one is prepared versus automatically preparing two vials.
– Near the end of the final treatment session, careful accounting of remaining volume helps avoid opening an extra vial.
– Choosing a smaller injection volume like 0.1 mL provides more injections per vial and minimizes wasted product.
– Multi-dose vial use and careful injection technique helps avoid wasting solutions on priming, etc.
– Coordination between billing/ordering helps match the number of vials to those that will actually be administered.
With Kybella’s high per-vial cost, medical practices take great care to minimize product waste and unnecessary vial use. Careful planning and precision helps ensure patients maximize the value of the Kybella product.
Conclusion
In summary, the number of Kybella injections that can be obtained from 2 vials depends largely on the injection volume used. With the most common 0.2 mL injection volume, 2 vials provides approximately 20 total injections. However, this can vary based on the provider’s preferred protocol and injection volume.
These 20 or more injections from 2 vials are divided over a course of 2-5 treatment sessions to gradually improve submental fullness while minimizing adverse effects. The total number of sessions depends on each patient’s individual treatment goals. Careful treatment planning, precision injection technique, and vial optimization help ensure patients receive ideal value from the Kybella product. Overall, the use of 2 vials provides significant flexibility in dosing and treatment customization for optimal reduction of submental fat.
