Vitamins
Lipo-B (MIC)
Also known as: MIC, MIC injection, Lipo-B12, skinny shot, lipotropic injection, methionine inositol choline, choline, inositol, methionine
A compounded 'lipotropic' shot — usually methionine, inositol, choline, and often B12 — marketed for fat loss. There is no meaningful evidence it melts fat.
Medically reviewed by Akash Bhagat, DO, FACEP
What the evidence supports
| Use | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Treating choline inadequacy from diet (oral choline) | Established |
| Weight loss / targeting fat deposits | Unproven |
Common side effects
- Soreness or a lump at the injection site
- Garlic-like or sulfur odor (methionine)
- Nausea
Who should be cautious or avoid this
- Compounded product — formulas vary by pharmacy
- Sulfur-containing amino acid (methionine) — mention relevant allergies
- Not a substitute for diet, activity, or indicated weight-loss medication
What it is
Lipo-B (also sold as a MIC or “skinny” shot) is a compounded blend of lipotropic nutrients — typically methionine, inositol, and choline, often with vitamin B12. Choline is an essential nutrient your body uses to move fat out of the liver and to make the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. That biochemistry is real; the leap to an injection that “targets fat deposits” is marketing.
Why it’s used in IV therapy
Offered as a 60-second intramuscular shot, sometimes bundled with beauty or bridal packages, and marketed for metabolism and lean muscle.
What the evidence says
Choline from food matters — deficiency can cause fatty liver. Oral choline treats that. MIC injections have not been shown in rigorous trials to produce weight loss, spot-reduce fat, or preserve muscle. They are compounded (not a finished drug with an approved weight-loss indication), and the exact milligrams vary by pharmacy.
Side effects and cautions
Soreness at the shot site is common. Methionine can leave a sulfur smell. Because the product is compounded, ask what’s in this clinic’s vial rather than assuming a standard formula.