Deoxycholic Acid
Pronunciation: dee-ok-see-KOH-lik AS-id
A synthetic form of a bile acid injected into submental fat to disrupt and destroy adipocyte cell membranes, reducing submental fullness.
Full Definition
Deoxycholic acid is a naturally occurring secondary bile acid; its synthetic injectable form (marketed as Kybella® in the US and Belkyra® elsewhere) is approved for the reduction of submental fat. It acts as a cytolytic agent, destroying the phospholipid bilayer of fat cells on contact. Editors must render it as two words, lowercase: 'deoxycholic acid', not 'Deoxycholic Acid' (unless starting a sentence) or 'desoxycholic acid'. Brand names require appropriate trademark notation. In regulatory and clinical copy, the INN (International Nonproprietary Name) 'deoxycholic acid' is preferred over brand names.
Usage
Usage note: Use the INN 'deoxycholic acid' (lowercase, two words) in clinical and regulatory copy. Brand names (Kybella®, Belkyra®) require trademark symbols and should not replace the generic in scientific text.
In Context
- "Two sessions of deoxycholic acid injections reduced the submental fat pad by an estimated 30%." — Clinical outcome report
- "The draft used the brand name Kybella® throughout; the editor replaced it with the INN 'deoxycholic acid' for the regulatory submission." — Regulatory document note