Lipotropic injection
Also called: lipo shot
Clinical reviewer: Jacob Moore, MD · Last checked September 22, 2026
What is a lipotropic injection?
Lipotropic injection is a shot marketed as lipotropic, or fat-mobilizing, typically combining methionine, inositol and choline with a B vitamin, sold under names such as the lipo shot. Lipotropic describes a marketing claim, not an FDA-recognized medical indication, and the B12 component's own FDA label lists only vitamin B12 deficiency as an indication.
What is in a lipotropic injection, and is lipotropic an FDA term?
The shot is typically sold as a mix of methionine, inositol and choline, often with a form of vitamin B12 added, and marketed under the lipotropic label as a way to boost fat metabolism. In FDA's 503A category lists, choline chloride is still under review in Category 1, while plain inositol and methionine do not appear; the Category 3 entry for inositol hexanicotinate is a different compound [1]. The word lipotropic does not appear as an indication on the cyanocobalamin injection label [2].
Does a lipotropic injection help with weight loss?
No randomized trial evaluating MIC or vitamin B12 injections specifically for weight loss in humans was found in our PubMed searches as of September 2026. The vitamin B12 component's own FDA label names only vitamin B12 deficiency as an indication, with nothing about fat loss, metabolism or energy anywhere on it [2].
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This entry is for education and is not medical advice. Talk with a licensed clinician about your own situation before starting, stopping, or changing any treatment.
