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Medications for Cellulite

Cellulite is a common condition characterized by lumpy, dimpled skin on the buttocks, thighs, lower abdomen and arms. It thought to affect up to 80 percent of postpubertal females.

Cause
Cellulite is believed to be associated with changes in dermal thickness, fat cells, and the fibrous septae (fibrous connective cords) that connect the skin to the fascia (the connective tissue casing around the muscles). As fat cells accumulate, they squeeze up against the skin, while the cords pull the skin down toward the muscle, resulting in an uneven, dimpled skin surface.

Risk Factors
There are a number of factors that contribute to the development of cellulite including hormones, genetics, age, skin texture, body type and body weight.

Severity
Cellulite can be graded according to severity: 

  • Grade 1 (mild) has an “orange peel” appearance
  • Grade 2 (moderate) has a “cottage cheese” appearance
  • Grade 3 (severe) has a “mattress” appearance.

Prevention
Cellulite is thought to be more prevalent in smokers, people with a sedentary lifestyle, and people who have too much fat, refined carbohydrates, or salt in their diet. Lifestyle changes such as adopting a healthy diet and taking regular exercise may help reduce the risk.

Treatments

  • Non-medical treatments (including radiofrequency devices, laser/light devices, acoustic wave therapy, and subcision)
  • Topical agents (including retinoids, caffeine)
  • Dermal fillers (calcium hydroxyapatite (Radiesse) and poly-l-lactic acid (Sculptra))
  • Injectable biologics (collagenase clostridium histolyticum-aaes (Qwo))

Qwo (collagenase clostridium histolyticum-aaes) is the first FDA approved injectable treatment for cellulite. It is indicated for the treatment of moderate to severe cellulite in the buttocks of adult women.

Drugs used to treat Cellulite

The medications listed below are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
collagenase clostridium histolyticum Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
collagenase clostridium histolyticum systemic
Brand name:
Qwo
Drug class:
miscellaneous uncategorized agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
AHFS DI Monograph
Qwo Rate Add review
Rx B N
Generic name:
collagenase clostridium histolyticum systemic
Drug class:
miscellaneous uncategorized agents
For consumers:
dosage, interactions, side effects
For professionals:
Prescribing Information

Frequently asked questions

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Expanded Access Expanded Access is a potential pathway for a patient with a serious or immediately life-threatening disease or condition to gain access to an investigational medical product (drug, biologic, or medical device) for treatment outside of clinical trials when no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy options are available.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.