If you’re taking a GLP-1 drug for weight loss and noticing increased hair loss, talk to your prescriber. Hair loss isn’t something you should have to accept as the cost of managing your weight, but any change in dose or GLP-1 medication needs to be discussed with your prescriber.
How common is hair loss?
Hair loss has been reported by people taking Wegovy® (semaglutide), one of the GLP-1 drugs available for weight loss. The prescribing information for Wegovy says hair loss was reported by 3.3% of adults taking Wegovy at 2.4 mg each week in three weight-loss studies; 1% of adults on a placebo reported hair loss. The label also lists hair loss as a side effect of Wegovy at the new 7.2 mg dose.
People using Zepbound®, an injectable GIP and GLP-1 drug for weight loss, have reported hair loss, too. According to the prescribing information, hair loss was reported by 4% to 5% of adults taking Zepbound at 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg in two weight-loss studies; 1% of adults on a placebo reported hair loss. Hair loss was associated with weight loss in people taking tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound. These were separate studies, so the percentages do not show which medicine has a greater hair-loss risk.
The trial figures above do not establish how common it is across everyone taking semaglutide or tirzepatide for weight management. It’s also unclear if GLP-1 drugs cause hair loss directly or if weight loss from these medications is what leads to shedding.
Why would taking a GLP-1 medication lead to hair loss?
Telogen effluvium, a type of excessive hair shedding that happens in response to a major stressor like significant weight loss, illness, surgery, or giving birth, may be to blame for hair loss while taking GLP-1 medication. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), telogen effluvium may not happen right away: Shedding may begin a few months after the event that triggered the condition. That delay can make it difficult to work out whether a recent medication change explains the shedding.
In some cases, hair loss associated with telogen effluvium subsides once the trigger is over; however, ongoing malnutrition, an underlying medical condition, or another hair or scalp issue can contribute to telogen effluvium. A dermatologist can diagnose telogen effluvium and identify any other conditions that could be causing hair loss.
What to tell your clinician
Tell them when your hair loss started, where your hair is thinning, if your hair seems to be breaking, and if you’ve noticed anything else going on, like a change in your skin, an itchy or sore scalp. Share the name of the GLP-1 medication you’re using and your dose. Your prescriber may ask when you started taking the medication and if you’ve made any changes to your dose. They’ll probably ask about the amount of weight you’ve been able to lose so far and how quickly.
Also bring a list or photos of the labels of any other prescription or over-the-counter medications or dietary supplements you take. Your care team may ask about recent life changes that could be contributing to hair thinning. Tell your clinician if you’ve been sick or had surgery, changed birth control, dealt with any major stresses, or significantly decreased the amount of food you’re eating.
Will my hair grow back?
Your care team can help you figure out what’s causing hair loss while taking a GLP-1 medication for weight loss. A doctor can rule out medical conditions that can cause shedding. A registered dietitian can look at what you’re eating to make sure your diet meets your nutritional needs. With telogen effluvium, hair can regrow as the trigger resolves, but this takes time. The outlook depends on the cause, so a general recovery pattern cannot promise what will happen to your hair.
Track changes
If you're losing more hair, keep a log. Include photos to share with your clinician, which may help them evaluate changes over time. Take them in similar settings with similar hairstyles, lighting, and angles.
Consider a referral to a dermatologist
If you're concerned about your hair and scalp, talk to your clinician about getting a referral to a dermatologist. Conditions like pattern (aka hereditary) hair loss aren't treated with the same approach as hair loss from illness or major weight loss. Patchy or otherwise unusual hair loss, progressive thinning, a changing hairline, scalp symptoms like itching or irritation, or shedding that doesn't get better may point to a hair and scalp condition. During an appointment you'll be able to talk about what kind of care they can provide, what improvement you can hope to see from treatment, and when you'd return to evaluate results.
Don't make medication changes on your own
Don't stop taking your medication, skip injections, or otherwise adjust your treatment to see if you're losing more hair as a result. Hair grows slowly, so it's hard to tease out what may be affecting it on its own. Reach out to the clinician who prescribed your GLP-1 medication to find out if they'd recommend any changes to your care plan because of how quickly you're losing weight, the side effects you're having, your ability to eat enough, or any other factors.
Be thoughtful about hair growth supplements
Many hair growth products contain biotin and other vitamins and minerals like zinc and iron. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends taking these if you have a deficiency, identified through a conversation with your clinician and testing. Too much of a vitamin or mineral can have negative effects when your body has enough. Biotin, for example, can interfere with the ability of labs to provide accurate test results, which the FDA has warned about. Always let your clinician and lab techs know if you're taking any kind of hair, skin, and nail vitamins. Supplements are not FDA-approved for safety and effectiveness before sale. They can have very high levels of vitamins and minerals and be advertised as natural. If you're taking more than one, you may take excessive amounts of vitamins and minerals found in each.
Hair growth vitamins aren't going to overcome issues like persistent vomiting or an incredibly limited diet. Supplements shouldn't be used as a band-aid for poor nutrition.
Talk with your care team about your diet
Many people taking GLP-1 medications struggle with diet. Some skip meals. Others restrict what they eat. GLP-1s are known to lower appetite, and may also cause side effects that make it challenging to eat as much as they'd like.
If you're hitting your weight loss goals but struggling to eat enough or enjoy food, tell your care team. A dietitian can help you think about what you're eating each day, your medical history, and figure out a sustainable and manageable way to eat.
Give an in-depth description of challenges to eating. Are there foods that make you nauseous, or foods you crave? Do you find it hard to eat three meals a day? Do you feel full quickly? Do you avoid cooking because you're bothered by food smells? Do you prefer to graze instead of eat full meals? These questions can help your care team figure out solutions.
It can be discouraging to start losing your hair when you're working hard to manage your health. Reach out to your care team if your hair loss worries you.