Lipotropic Injections Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, And Cost

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Weight Management

Everything You Need to Know About Lipotropic Injections

Medically reviewed by Janelle Duah, MD — Written by Kristeen Cherney — Updated on November 14, 2024

Ingredients
Do they work?
Procedure
Frequency
Dosage
Side effects and precautions
Costs
Weight loss alternatives
FAQ
Takeaway

Lipotropic injections contain vitamins and nutrients that some people believe may support weight loss. Side effects can vary based on the ingredients of the injection.

Lipotropic injections are supplements people use for fat loss. These aim to complementother aspects of a weight loss regimen, including exercise and a low calorie diet.

Lipotropics are nutrients, vitamins, and other ingredients that may help boost your metabolism and slow down or remove fat deposits in your liver.

While many clinics boast about their possible benefits for weight loss, note that very little research has examined the effects of lipotropic injections on weight loss.

As such, it’s important to speak with a healthcare professional before trying lipotropic injections.

Keep reading to learn more about how lipotropic injections are administered, the possible side effects and risks, and other weight loss strategies that may be more safe and effective.

A note on supplements for fat loss

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate the quality, purity, or dosages of supplements.

As a result, many nutritional supplements — including lipotropic injections — have not been tested for safety.

Consider speaking with a healthcare professional before buying and using any supplement. They can recommend the best dosage for you or suggest alternative remedies.

When buying herbal supplements, look for third-party verification from companies like NSF International or USP to ensure they’re from a reputable source.

Lipotropic injections ingredients

Lipotropic injections consist of various vitamins, nutrients, and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) purportedly used to aid in weight loss.

The most common ingredient in lipotropic injections is vitamin B12.

The following ingredients are also common in lipotropic injections. According to an older 2013 review of research, they may have lipotropic effects in rodents:

choline
inositol
methionine
L-carnitine
betaine
magnesium
niacin
pantothenate
folate

Do lipotropic injections work?

Very limited research exists on the efficacy, safety, and lipotropic properties of the ingredients used in these injections for weight loss.

Their effects on weight loss may be due to other mechanisms and methods of administration.

For instance, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that carnitine supplementation may play a small role in weight loss when combined with exercise and eating a balanced diet.

Vitamin B12 deficiency is also associated with higher body weight and fat mass, according to a 2023 study.

Nutritional deficiencies may also cause low energy, but supplementation may help increase your energy and ability to exercise, further enhancing your motivation to lose weight.

That said, very limited research has examined the effects of lipotropic injections on weight loss.

If you do lose some weight while receiving lipotropic injections, this is likely more due to other factors in your weight loss program — like exercise and diet — than to the shots alone.

Lipotropic injections procedure

You may receive the shots in the arm or other areas containing more subcutaneous fatty tissues, such as the thigh, abdomen, or buttocks.

Lipotropic injections primarily take place in medical spas and weight loss clinics. Providers may or may not be medical doctors, so it’s important to check the credentials of any business before undergoing any lipotropic injection plan.

Some doctors may also administer single-ingredient shots, such as vitamin B12, but these are primarily for people deficient in nutrients.

Lipotropic injections frequency

There’s no official guidance on the frequency of lipotropic injections for weight loss.

Practitioners may administer them once or twice weekly.

If you have a vitamin B12 deficiency, a doctor may prescribe B12 injections every other day for 2 weeks until your symptoms improve.

Lipotropic injections dosage

The dosages for lipotropic injections, like other supplements, are not standardized by the FDA. Also, due to the lack of research on lipotropic injections, few dosages are available for reference.

The exact dosage of your injections may depend on the ingredients and the clinic where you’re receiving treatment.

A practitioner will likely recommend weekly shots for several weeks or until you reach your weight loss goal.

Lipotropic injections side effects and precautions

Speak with a practitioner about the possible risks and side effects of lipotropic injections before receiving them.

Limited research has examined the possible side effects of injecting lipotropic agents.

However, a 2021 case report found that choline injections caused severe skin inflammation and hard nodules in the areas of administration.

The FDA has also warned against using non-FDA-approved lipolysis injections, which work by breaking down fat cells in the targeted area. Some side effects of using non-FDA-approved injections may include:

pain
scars
infections
skin irregularities
cysts
knots

Speak with a doctor if you experience any of these symptoms. They may recommend stopping lipotropics or switching the ingredients you are using.

Lipotropic injections cost

There’s no clear-cut answer to the costs of lipotropic injections. These may vary based on the types of ingredients used and your provider. Anecdotal online reviews estimate the shots range from $35 to $75 each.

If you get your shots from a medical or weight loss spa, they may be part of a weight loss package. Other injections may be more affordable on their own.

Insurance may cover lipotropics, but only if you can prove you’re using them to treat a medical condition. This can be tricky, as most lipotropics are administered at nontraditional medical facilities.

Your provider may not take insurance, so you’d need to file with your insurance company after you’ve paid for the shots up front.

If you don’t have insurance, consider speaking with the provider about financing options and discounts for self-payers.

Safe and effective weight loss alternatives

Healthcare organizations and researchers have identified natural, effective, and sustainable weight loss methods.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends setting a weekly weight loss target of 1 to 2 pounds (lb). Some ways to help you achieve this may include:

reducing your daily calorie intake by 500 calories
eating a balanced diet of whole grains, lean proteins, low fat dairy, fruits, and vegetables
limiting added sugars, sodium, saturated and trans fats, and alcohol
getting at least 150 minutes weekly of moderate intensity aerobic exercise
strength training for at least 2 days weekly
sleeping for 7 to 9 hours each night
regularly checking in with a doctor, personal trainer, or registered dietitian

Learn more about how to lose weight sustainably.

Frequently asked questions

How much weight can I lose in a week with lipotropic injections?

Some people claim you may lose up to 4 lb in a week. However, no research has determined how much weight you can lose in a week with lipotropic injections.

Is Ozempic a lipotropic?

No, Ozempic is not a lipotropic. Ozempic is the brand name for semaglutide, a drug that helps people with diabetes manage their blood sugar levels.

Do you gain weight back after stopping lipotropic injections?

No research has examined the effects of weight management after stopping lipotropic injections. However, the CDC suggests you may prevent weight gain by exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, and maintaining eating habits.

Takeaway

Lipotropic injections may help promote fat loss, but limited research exists on their efficacy.

Practitioners should note that they only work when combined with a healthy lifestyle that promotes weight loss.

While the shots aren’t necessarily dangerous, there’s no guarantee that they’ll help you lose weight, either. Always check with a doctor before getting any shots, especially if you’re already taking nutritional supplements.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

About healthy weight and growth. (2024).https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-weight-growth/about/index.html
About sleep. (2024).https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about/index.html
Aureli A, et al. (2023). Low levels of serum total vitamin B12 are associated with worse metabolic phenotype in a large population of children, adolescents and young adults, from underweight to severe obesity.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10706451/
Carnitine. (2023).https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Carnitine-HealthProfessional/
Koliaki C, et al. (2018). Defining the optimal dietary approach for safe, effective and sustainable weight loss in overweight and obese adults.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6163457/
Perry K. (2024). Lipotropic injections: An overview.https://rivasweightloss.com/lipotropic-injections-an-overview/
Questions and answers on dietary supplements. (2024).https://www.fda.gov/food/information-consumers-using-dietary-supplements/questions-and-answers-dietary-supplements
Telang PS. (2021). Lipodystrophy of abdominal pannus: A severe complication of phosphatidylcholine injections.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8257309/
Treatment: Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency anaemia. (2023).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b12-or-folate-deficiency-anaemia/treatment/
Using fat-dissolving injections that are not FDA approved can be harmful. (2023).https://www.fda.gov/drugs/buying-using-medicine-safely/using-fat-dissolving-injections-are-not-fda-approved-can-be-harmful
Vitamin B12. (2024).https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/

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Medically reviewed by Janelle Duah, MD — Written by Kristeen Cherney — Updated on November 14, 2024

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