Are there drug treatments for lipedema?

Currently there are no FDA-approved drugs for disease-modifying treatment of lipedema. However, a few drug candidates have been under clinical study or in clinical trials either for lipedema specifically or for other diseases or disorders with published statements suggesting a potential role in lipedema treatment. 

Despite advances in lipedema research since the publication of the U.S. Standard of Care and several observational and data-gathering clinical trials, medical treatment progress remains constrained by low levels of investment in clinical development, not only for drug candidates but also for diagnostic products and non-surgical medical devices. There is no other disease that affects so many people for which there have been so few clinical trials – supported by so few grants and/or corporate sponsors.

Lipedema is a complicated condition with multiple dimensions unlikely to be treated with a single medication. Patients should be evaluated for common and treatable conditions such as abnormal thyroid levels and vitamin or mineral deficiencies (B-12, D, calcium, selenium, etc.). See the Lymphedema and Lipedema Nutrition Guide (Lymph Notes, 2016). 

Drug candidates that have been studied for lipedema include:

  • Acebilustat (CTX-4430), an orally administered small molecule, anti-inflammatory (inhibitor of leukotriene A4 hydrolase) in development by Celltaxis LLC. A Phase 2 clinical trial for upper arm lymphedema treatment is underway at Stanford University but no longer recruiting patients. There does not appear to be a currently active lipedema program underway for this candidate.

  • Tapencarium (RZL-012), an injectable, small molecule, cytolytic kinase inhibitor with favorable Phase 2 clinical data for reduction of submental fat deposits (double chin). Raziel Therapeutics Ltd. previously proposed this as a potential lipedema treatment but there does not appear to be a currently active lipedema program underway.

  • CBL-514, an injectable, small molecule drug, selective inducer of adipocyte apoptosis entered a 300-subject, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical trial in late 2025 in the U.S. and Canada to evaluate efficacy and safety for large-area localized fat reduction. Caliway Biopharmaceuticals, also received FDA Orphan Drug Designation (not approval) and began recruiting patients for a Phase 2 clinical trial for treatment of Dercum’s disease in August 2025. Caliway expects to file an additional Phase 2 IND with the FDA for a clinical trial to evaluate a combination of CBL-514 and Zepbound (tirzepatide), a GLP-1 receptor agonist. None of these clinical trials are expected to enroll lipedema patients.

  • Mucinex (guaifenesin) – scientific data and non-controlled clinical observations suggest a potential therapeutic role for this over-the-counter medication in the treatment of lipedema. No lipedema clinical trials are open for enrollment.

  • Metformin (multiple brands and formulations) – a generic prescription drug used to treat type 2 diabetes has been considered a candidate for treatment of lipedema based on mechanism insights and non-controlled clinical observations. No lipedema clinical trials are open for enrollment.

  • GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus), liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda), dulaglutide (Trulicity), and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), etc.). An Italian case series of exenatide administered at 2mg/week for 3 or 6 months in 5 lipedema patients reported “The achievement of positive effects on the symptoms and signs of lipedema.” However, the authors characterize their data as “a promising starting point,” rather than an argument for off-label use of exenatide or other GLP-1 drugs. [L. Patton et al., A Case Series on the Efficacy of the Pharmacological Treatment of Lipedema: the Italian Experience with Exenatide, Clin. Pract. 2025, 15, 128.]
    Although direct clinical evidence in lipedema is lacking, the convergence of mechanistic pathways provides a strong rationale to investigate tirzepatide as a novel metabolic–hormonal therapy capable of modifying the course of lipedema [Viana, D.P.d.C.; Invitti, A.L.; Schor, E. Tirzepatide as a Potential Disease-Modifying Therapy in Lipedema: A Narrative Review on Bridging Metabolism, Inflammation, and Fibrosis. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26, 10741. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijms262110741]
    Despite informal reports from lipedema patients and providers indicating GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs improve lipedema symptoms and food-related thought patterns, none of the 14 clinical trials for these drugs currently open for enrollment in ClinicalTrials.gov target lipedema patients. 

  • Diosmin, a flavonoid with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties used as a supplement or over-the-counter therapeutic to reduce the symptoms of vascular and lymphatic disorders. It has been reported to be effective in reducing pain and swelling caused by lipedema based on non-controlled clinical observations. [Herbst, Karen L et al. “Standard of care for lipedema in the United States.” Phlebology vol. 36,10 (2021): 779-796. doi:10.1177/02683555211015887] No lipedema clinical trials are open for enrollment. 

  • Pycnogenol, a specific flavonoid from French maritime pine bark has shown improved quality of life and reduced weight, BMI, and body fat percentage in one study. [Mello Netto B S, Corassa J, Barros F S, et al. (November 11, 2025) Impact of Pycnogenol Use in the Treatment of Patients With Lipedema: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Cureus 17(11): e96589. DOI 10.7759/cureus.96589]. Although there not currently additional lipedema clinical trials of Pycnogenol open for enrollment, the authors of this study recommend “robust, multicenter studies to confirm and validate the findings.”

  • Sodium Cromoglycate, a generic allergy drug can stabilize mast cells and reduce histamine levels in lipedema patients, which could be useful in improving some lipedema symptoms. [Bonetti, G et al. “Targeting Mast Cells: Sodium Cromoglycate as a Possible Treatment of Lipedema.” La Clinica terapeutica vol. 174, Suppl 2(6) (2023): 256-262. doi:10.7417/CT.2023.2496]. No lipedema clinical trials are currently open for enrollment.

  • Nattokinase, an enzyme shown to degrade fibrin, has shown some benefits in terms of weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity in women with lipedema but more research is needed to confirm benefits and safety. [Cobos, Leopoldo M et al. “SAT-618 Nattokinase to Improve Insulin Sensitivity and Weight Loss in Women with Obesity +/- Diabetes.” Journal of the Endocrine Society vol. 4,Suppl 1 SAT-618. 8 May. 2020, doi:10.1210/jendso/bvaa046.145] [Herbst, Karen Louise. “Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Diseases: Dercum Disease, Lipedema, Familial Multiple Lipomatosis, and Madelung Disease.” Endotext, edited by Kenneth R Feingold et. al., MDText.com, Inc., 14 December 2019.] No lipedema clinical trials are open for enrollment.

  • Selenium deficiency which can impair immune function has been shown to be common in patients with lymphedema, lipedema, and lipo-lymphedema. Supplementation may help reduce oxidative stress which plays an important role in lymphedema and lipedema. [Pfister, Christina et al. “Selenium Deficiency in Lymphedema and Lipedema-A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study from a Specialized Clinic.” Nutrients vol. 12,5 1211. 25 Apr. 2020, doi:10.3390/nu12051211]. Many clinical trials of selenium have been conducted over the years with a focus on other diseases, but none are currently available for enrollment of lipedema patients.

  • Fat-Burning Supplements that, along with diet and physical exercise, cause fat burning and weight loss, could potentially be important in the treatment of lipedema but more research is required. [Bonetti, Gabriele et al. “Dietary supplements for lipedema.” Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene vol. 63,2 Suppl 3 E169-E173. 17 Oct. 2022, doi:10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2022.63.2S3.2758]

There are drugs prescribed or recommended for management of pain associated with lipedema. These “supportive care” drugs are not profiled in this FAQ, but they include the following categories and examples:

  • Non-prescription NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen

  • Prescription NSAIDs such as meloxicam and celecoxib

  • Gabapentinoids prescription drugs specifically for neuropathic-type pain

  • Oral Corticosteroids prescription drugs for acute severe pain flares

Author: Bob Erwin, Chuck Ehrlich

Reviewers: Dr. Nicholas Pennings, Beth Rylaarsdam, Dr. Thomas Wright

Review dates: 2026-06