Hair Loss in Patients on Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists: Understanding Risks and Managing Outcomes

June 2026 in “ Dermatology and Therapy ”

Bianca Maria Piraccini, Sergio Vañó-Galván, Ulrike Blume-Peytavi, Virginie Ribet, V. Mengeaud

glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists GLP-1RAs semaglutide tirzepatide telogen effluvium pharmacovigilance type 2 diabetes weight loss Ozempic Wegovy Mounjaro

TLDR GLP-1RAs, like semaglutide and tirzepatide, may cause hair loss, so patients should be informed and monitored.

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), used for type 2 diabetes and weight loss, have been linked to hair loss, particularly with semaglutide and tirzepatide, though causality is not established. Evidence primarily comes from pharmacovigilance databases and retrospective studies, with no prospective, controlled studies specifically addressing this issue. Rapid weight loss from these drugs may cause telogen effluvium, a potential mechanism for hair loss. As prescriptions rise in Europe, cases may increase, necessitating further research into causality and risk factors. Clinicians should inform and monitor patients for potential hair loss.

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research Effects of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Hair Loss and Regrowth: A Systematic Review

October 2025 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

GLP-1 receptor agonists may cause hair loss, but regrowth is rare.

research Associations Between GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and Alopecia: A Multi-Center Retrospective Analysis and Public Interest Trends

October 2025 in “JEADV Clinical Practice”

GLP-1 receptor agonists may increase the risk of a specific type of hair loss called androgenetic alopecia.

research Hair Loss Associated With Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Use: A Systematic Review

September 2025 in “Cureus”

GLP-1 receptor agonists may cause hair loss, but more research is needed.

research Benefit-Risk Assessment of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: Implications for Dermatologists and Plastic Surgeons

1 citations , September 2025 in “Dermatology and Therapy”

GLP-1 RAs help with diabetes and skin issues but can cause skin reactions and surgery challenges.

research Increased Risk of Telogen Effluvium with Tirzepatide Compared to Other Weight-Loss Medications: A Retrospective Cohort TriNetX Database Study

August 2025 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

research Dermatological Adverse Reactions and Therapeutic Potential of Semaglutide, Liraglutide, and Tirzepatide: Analysis of UK Pharmacovigilance Data and Literature Review

1 citations , August 2025

GLP-1 receptor agonists can help skin conditions but may cause hair loss and other skin issues.

research Alopecia as an Emerging Adverse Effect Associated with Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss: A Scoping Review

August 2025 in “Cureus”

GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss may cause hair loss, especially in women.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: An Update on Pathogenesis and Pharmacological Treatment

August 2025 in “Drug Design Development and Therapy”

Current treatments for androgenetic alopecia are complex and promising, but more research is needed.

research Association Between Androgenetic Alopecia and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Treatment in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

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research Alopecia and Semaglutide: Connecting the Dots for Patient Safety

4 citations , March 2025 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

Semaglutide may cause hair loss, but more research is needed to confirm this.

research Risk of Alopecia Areata with Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss

February 2025 in “medRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)”

GLP-1 agonists may increase the risk of hair loss.

research Alopecia Areata: Understanding the Pathophysiology and Advancements in Treatment Modalities

January 2025 in “Cureus”

Alopecia Areata causes hair loss and needs treatments that address both physical and emotional health.

research A Systematic Review of the Cutaneous Adverse Effects of GLP-1 Agonists

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25 citations , September 2024 in “Cardiovascular Drugs and Therapy”

GLP1-RAs may have higher reports of suicidal events and hair loss compared to other diabetes drugs.

research GLP-1 Agonists and Hair Loss: A Call for Further Investigation

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More research is needed to understand if GLP-1 agonists affect hair health.

research Association of Obesity and Bariatric Surgery on Hair Health

February 2024 in “Medicina-lithuania”

Obesity and bariatric surgery can cause hair thinning and temporary hair loss due to nutritional deficiencies and stress.

research Telogen Effluvium Associated with Weight Loss: A Single Center Retrospective Study

January 2024 in “Annals of dermatology/Annals of Dermatology”

Weight loss can cause temporary hair loss, especially in women and older adults.

research Health-Related Quality of Life, Depression, and Self-Esteem in Patients With Androgenetic Alopecia

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Androgenetic alopecia negatively affects quality of life and self-esteem, especially in women, but not depression.

research Bariatric Surgery-Induced Telogen Effluvium (Bar SITE): Case Report and Review of Hair Loss Following Weight Loss Surgery

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Hair loss after weight loss surgery can improve over time.

research Telogen Effluvium: A Review of the Literature

40 citations , May 2020 in “Cureus”

The conclusion is that treatments for Telogen Effluvium exist, but standard treatment guidelines are needed.

research What Are the Micronutrient Deficiencies Responsible for the Most Common Nutritional Symptoms After Bariatric Surgery?

44 citations , January 2020 in “Obesity Surgery”

Hair loss after bariatric surgery is often due to iron and protein deficiencies.

research Hair Loss After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

13 citations , July 2018 in “Obesity surgery”

Over half of patients had hair loss after weight-loss surgery, especially women, linked to low zinc and vitamin B12 levels.

research Anagen Effluvium: A Review of Rapid Hair Loss During Growth Phase and Loose Anagen Hair Syndrome

61 citations , January 2013 in “Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology”

Hair usually grows back 1-3 months after treatment for anagen effluvium, and children with Loose Anagen Hair Syndrome often improve by adolescence.

research Diffuse Hair Loss: Its Triggers and Management

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To manage diffuse hair loss, identify the cause, improve nutrition, remove triggers, and use specific treatments like minoxidil or finasteride.

research Drug-Induced Hair Disorders

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Some drugs can cause hair loss, excessive growth, or color changes, often reversible but sometimes permanent.

research Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor and Proglucagon Expression in Mouse Skin

37 citations , March 2006 in “Regulatory Peptides”

Mice skin has components that could help with hair growth and might be used for diabetes treatment.

research Alopecia in Crash Dieters

32 citations , June 1976 in “JAMA”

Crash dieting can cause hair loss due to severe calorie restriction.