A new study sheds light on whether ozempic causes hair loss
You've probably heard of GLP-1s, a class of drugs that includes semaglutide (Ozempic). The drugs were developed to manage type 2 diabetes and are now widely being used to help with weight loss.
whose doctor has told them they are overweight or obese have taken a GLP-1 drug.
“These drugs have been a game-changer," says , quadruple board-certified physician specializing in internal medicine, pulmonology, critical care and sleep medicine who practices at the University of Southern California. "They can help you regulate your blood sugar, curb your appetite and slow down digestion."
But semaglutide isn't without side effects. Some users have reported gastrointestinal issues, and suggests that semaglutide may also be responsible for hair loss in patients who take the drugs.
Keep reading to find out what the study revealed, the surprising answer to whether GLP-1s are responsible for your hair thinning and ways to prevent shedding.
What the study revealed about GLP-1s and their connection to hair loss
The study looked at over 3,200 patients, about 60% of whom were using semaglutide (Ozempic) and about 40% who were on bupropion-naltrexone, a medication taken to reduce appetite and help control cravings. Study authors found a slightly higher risk of hair loss, especially in women, with semaglutide (Ozempic) compared to bupropion-naltrexone.
“The risk increase was under 1% for men and just over 2% for women,” says , the founder of Modern Thyroid Clinic who has been prescribing GLP-1s like Ozempic and Mounjaro for over three and a half years. “That means around two out of every 100 women on semaglutide may experience hair loss possibly tied to the drug. While that may seem small, it’s meaningful given how many millions of people are taking these medications.”
McPherson has seen hair loss in patients typically coming in from other practices “who are on higher doses or who experienced rapid appetite suppression.” Her clinic, which runs a GLP-1 program to support women struggling with weight loss due to thyroid dysfunction, often reduces the dose. “Most of the cases we do see are tied to overly restrictive caloric intake, not the medication itself,” she says. “With proper dosing, it’s largely avoidable.”
, a plastic surgeon at Impressions Face + Body in Chicago who recently about how GLP-1s are leading to rapid accelerated facial and skin aging, is also seeing reports of increased hair loss in some trials, particularly in postmenopausal women. But he cautions against thinking Ozempic is the whole story. “When we look at massive weight loss, as with stress and many things that affect us metabolically, hair loss can be part of it,” he says. “But there are other factors to consider as well, like the health of the hair and potential nutritional deficiencies that a study must control for in order to determine the true relative risk.”
So, does Ozempic cause hair loss?
It may, indirectly, but some experts we spoke with cast doubt on this particular study. “There are several issues with the study in general including the fact that the age range of patients utilizing semaglutide is older than those using the bupropion naltrexone medication," says , a board-certified family medicine physician in Austin, Texas. "As a result, the semaglutide group is already having other hormone changes, including deficiencies that can contribute to hair loss.”
, the Head Plastic Surgeon at New Jersey Gynecomastia Center, has been treating patients taking GLP-1 drugs for two years and says “these agents have made an enormous impact on the practice of plastic surgery, both restorative and cosmetic.” However, he is “not inclined to believe the findings reported,” citing that the “cohort is quite limited, there is no randomization and crossover component, and the only comparison groups are between GLP-1 and bupropion-naltrexone, which are unrelated agents used for unrelated purposes and typically in unrelated populations.”
“The statistical analysis is also unimpressive and while claiming to be significant, it is minimally so,” he adds. “No bloodwork, hair samples or other measures were mentioned in the article,” saying that a more accurate study would also include a reversal period to see if hair loss or regrowth can be measured after stopping the GLP-1s.”
Yet physicians are seeing the real-life impacts of medications like Ozempic. “I’ve definitely had patients mention hair thinning while on these medications, especially if they’ve lost a lot of weight quickly,” Dr. Dasgupta says. “It’s not the most common side effect, but it’s something people are noticing — and talking about in online forums too.”
Can you lower your risk of hair loss while taking Ozempic?
, a board-certified dermatologist and hair expert, is all too familiar with how hair loss can be linked to weight loss, but says this is likely due to the “physiologic stress that particularly rapid weight loss can have on the hair cycle.” She adds that “it’s not surprising to see data to support what we see in clinical practice — whether it is medication-related or not.” She notes that the study did not determine the type of hair loss it looked at, but she has some tips for people who want to lower the odds of experiencing hair loss while losing weight:
- Go slowly. “A slower and steadier weight loss is less likely to be as stressful as a rapid weight loss,” says Dr. Han. “Work with your doctor to lose weight over a healthy timeline.”
- Don't skip out on nutrients. “Nutritional status can impact hair growth,” says Dr. Han, and deficiencies due to reduced food intake and absorption while on these medications might be compounding the hair loss issue. “Ensure your diet stays well-balanced with adequate intake of protein and nutrients like iron, vitamin B and vitamin D.”
- Prioritize your mental health. “Stress reduction, and overall health also go a long way when it comes to hair,” says Dr. Han.
- Let your physician know what's going on. “Typically medication-related hair shedding is temporary,” says Dr. Han. “But speak to your doctor or a dermatologist early to gain insights on your hair loss and whether this could be related to your weight loss drug.”
The bottom line
“GLP-1 drugs are highly effective, but like any medication, they come with trade-offs,” reminds Dr. Dasgupta. “Hair loss is possible (especially for women) but it’s usually temporary and manageable.
If you’re taking these medications, focus on nutrition, be patient with your body and talk to your doctor if you’re concerned."
