GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Incidence, Risk, Subtypes, and Mechanisms

This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the incidence and risk of alopecia in users of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), analyzing 17 studies with 1,091,743 patient-exposures. The findings indicate a significant 40% increased risk of non-scarring alopecia, particularly telogen effluvium and androgenetic alopecia, associated with GLP-1 RAs, likely due to weight loss-induced micronutrient deficiency. Semaglutide and tirzepatide showed the highest pharmacovigilance signals. Interestingly, 58% of patients with central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia experienced improvement. The study suggests that dermatologists should counsel patients on these risks and avoid premature discontinuation of GLP-1 RAs.