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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Health
Keren Landman

Does GLP-1 use result in significant hair loss?

A collage shows an weight-loss drug injector pen hovering above a clump of dark hair
While GLP-1-related hair loss is often temporary and reversible, it’s significant enough that some patients hesitate to take weight-loss drugs. Composite: The Guardian/Getty Images

About 20 million people across the US, UK, and EU are taking GLP-1 receptor agonists like tirzepatide and semaglutide (Ozempic or Mounjaro are common brands) for weight loss and type 2 diabetes. As their use has surged, we’re learning more about their side-effects. One that’s been getting a lot of attention from researchers lately: hair loss.

In one survey of people who take these medications, 20% of respondents experienced hair shedding, although the lack of high-quality data from a randomized, controlled trial to assess this side-effect makes it difficult to know exactly how common it is.

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