World ( The cow news digital ) Popular weight loss and diabetes medications belonging to the GLP-1 receptor agonist class—including semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound)—may carry a heightened risk of hair loss (alopecia), according to a study published in The BMJ.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania Health System evaluated electronic health records of tens of thousands of patients with type 2 diabetes, comparing GLP-1 users against individuals taking other common diabetes medications, such as SGLT-2 and DPP-4 inhibitors.
The study revealed that GLP-1 users faced a 37 percent higher risk of developing alopecia compared to those on SGLT-2 inhibitors, and a 68 percent higher risk compared to DPP-4 inhibitor users. The findings align with growing reports received by health regulatory bodies, including the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which recorded hundreds of hair loss complaints linked to tirzepatide and semaglutide in recent years.
Health experts note that the association is predominantly driven by non-scarring alopecia, a temporary form of hair loss where hair follicles remain undamaged and capable of regrowth. Medical specialists suggest that rapid weight loss caused by the medications subjects the body to metabolic stress, temporarily disrupting normal hair growth cycles rather than permanently destroying follicles.
While researchers emphasized that the absolute risk of experiencing hair loss remains relatively low overall, they highlighted the need for clinicians and patients to consider potential dermatological side effects when choosing weight loss treatments.
