First injectable cellulite treatment receives FDA approval
Qwo, a prescription-only medicine which uses an injectable form of collagenase clostridium histolyticum, has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of moderate to severe cellulite in the buttocks of adult women.
Billed as the first injectable cellulite treatment, Qwo is manufactured by Dublin-based Endo Pharmaceuticals.
Using collagenase clostridium histolyticum as its active ingredient, the product targets the fibrous connective tissue to dismantle collagen types 1 and 3, which may result in smoothing of the skin and an improved appearance of cellulite, says Endo.
Other ingredients include mannitol, sucrose, tromethamine and hydrochloric acid.
Patients receive up to 12 single injections in each buttock, given 21 days apart for three treatment sessions.
In the testing process, side effects included injection site bruising, pain, areas of hardness and itching in the treatment area.
"Endo recognised a significant unmet need for an effective and non-invasive injectable treatment for cellulite, which led us to conduct the largest clinical trials in the history of cellulite investigation in the United States," said Matthew Davis, senior vice president and chief medical officer of Endo.
"Supported by rigorous research, testing and development processes, we are proud to have received FDA approval of the first injectable treatment for cellulite in the buttocks and we look forward to delivering Qwo to the aesthetics community and their adult female patients."
Qwo is expected to be available throughout the US from healthcare practitioners from spring 2021.
