Do GLP-1 drugs (Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro) cause hair loss?

GLP-1 drugs are the weight-loss and diabetes injections: semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus), tirzepatide (Zepbound, Mounjaro) and the older liraglutide (Saxenda). This page sets out what their US labels say about hair loss, what the studies published so far found, and what people wrote in 231 reddit threads in the hair-loss communities that mention one of these drugs.

In short: yes, hair loss is a listed side effect of the weight-loss doses. In the Zepbound trials 4–5% of people on the drug reported hair loss against 1% on placebo; for Wegovy 2.4 mg it was 3% against 1% (5.8% on the newer 7.2 mg dose). Both labels say the hair loss was associated with weight reduction, and it was reported far more by women (7.1% of women vs 0.5% of men on Zepbound). The labels for the diabetes brands (Mounjaro, Ozempic) and for Saxenda list hair loss only among reports made after they came on the market. Two 2026 studies of health records also found more hair-loss diagnoses in GLP-1 users; in one, the biggest rise was in telogen effluvium (the sudden, diffuse shedding that can follow a shock to the body). One calls the absolute risk low, the other names rapid weight loss first among likely causes. On reddit, 11 of the 23 people who described their own use said they shed; commenters most often blamed the fast weight loss rather than the drug.

What the labels say

The US prescribing information, written by the makers (Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk) and approved by the FDA. Quotes are copied from the label text on DailyMed.

ZEPBOUND (tirzepatide) injection: US prescribing information

Eli Lilly and Company · US prescribing information (DailyMed), 2026 · The manufacturer's US label (SPL version 40, effective 2026-08-28). Hair-loss figures come from a pool of two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled weight-loss trials (Study 1 and Study 2) with 2,519 adults treated for up to 72 weeks. The table gives the share of patients with hair loss per dose against placebo; the label does not say whether the hair loss was temporary. Written by the manufacturer, regulator-reviewed.

  • The label counts hair loss among Zepbound's most common side effects (reported in at least 5% of patients). “The most common adverse reactions, reported in ≥5% of patients treated with ZEPBOUND are: nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, injection site reactions, fatigue, hypersensitivity reactions, eructation, hair loss, gastroesophageal reflux disease.”
  • In the two weight-loss trials, hair loss was reported by 1% on placebo and 5%, 4% and 5% on Zepbound 5 mg, 10 mg and 15 mg. “Hair Loss 1 5 4 5”
  • The label says the hair loss was associated with weight reduction. “Hair loss adverse reactions in ZEPBOUND-treated patients were associated with weight reduction.”
  • Hair loss was far more often reported by women (7.1%) than men (0.5%) on Zepbound; on placebo 1.3% of women and no men reported it. “In a pool of Study 1 and 2, hair loss was reported more frequently in female than male patients in the ZEPBOUND (7.1% female versus 0.5% male) and placebo (1.3% female versus 0% male) treatment groups.”
  • No one on Zepbound stopped the drug because of hair loss. “No ZEPBOUND-treated patients and one placebo-treated patient discontinued study treatment due to hair loss.”
  • The label warns of rare reports of pulmonary aspiration (stomach contents entering the lungs) in people on GLP-1 drugs having surgery under general anaesthesia or deep sedation, despite fasting as instructed. “There have been rare postmarketing reports of pulmonary aspiration in patients receiving GLP-1 receptor agonists undergoing elective surgeries or procedures requiring general anesthesia or deep sedation who had residual gastric contents despite reported adherence to preoperative fasting recommendations.”
  • It says the data are not enough to tell whether pausing Zepbound or changing fasting rules lowers that risk. “Available data are insufficient to inform recommendations to mitigate the risk of pulmonary aspiration during general anesthesia or deep sedation in patients taking ZEPBOUND, including whether modifying preoperative fasting recommendations or temporarily discontinuing ZEPBOUND could reduce the incidence of retained gastric contents.”

WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection and tablets: US prescribing information

Novo Nordisk · US prescribing information (DailyMed), 2026 · The manufacturer's US label (SPL version 19, effective 2026-06-18), covering the 2.4 mg and 7.2 mg weekly injections and the 25 mg tablet. Hair-loss rates come from placebo-controlled weight-loss trials: 1,261 placebo vs 2,116 Wegovy 2.4 mg patients in adults (68-week studies 2-4), a separate 7.2 mg trial set, and one pediatric trial. The label does not say whether the hair loss was temporary. For the tablets it only says common side effects were similar to the injection table. Written by the manufacturer, regulator-reviewed.

  • In adult weight-loss trials, hair loss was reported by 1% on placebo and 3% on Wegovy 2.4 mg (table of side effects). “Hair Loss 1 3”
  • The label says the hair loss was associated with weight reduction; in the pooled trials 3.3% on Wegovy 2.4 mg reported it (4% of women, 0.9% of men) vs 1% on placebo. “Hair loss adverse reactions in WEGOVY injection-treated patients were associated with weight reduction. In a pool of studies 2, 3, and 4, hair loss was reported in 3.3% of patients treated with WEGOVY 2.4 mg (4% female, 0.9% male) and in 1% of patients treated with placebo (2% female, 0 male).”
  • At the higher 7.2 mg dose, 5.8% reported hair loss (8.4% of women, 0.2% of men), against 3.3% on 2.4 mg and 1.0% on placebo in those trials. “In clinical trials with WEGOVY 7.2 mg injection, hair loss was reported in 5.8% of patients treated with WEGOVY 7.2 mg (8.4% female, 0.2% male), 3.3% of patients treated with WEGOVY 2.4 mg (5.4% female, 0 male), and 1.0% of patients on placebo (1.5% female, 0 male).”
  • In the pediatric trial (ages 12 and up), 4% on Wegovy and no placebo patients reported hair loss. “In a pediatric trial, hair loss was reported in 4% of patients treated with 2.4 mg of WEGOVY and no placebo-treated patients.”

MOUNJARO (tirzepatide) injection: US prescribing information

Eli Lilly and Company · US prescribing information (DailyMed), 2026 · The manufacturer's US label for tirzepatide at type 2 diabetes doses (SPL version 40, effective 2026-08-27). Hair loss is not listed in the adverse reactions table of the placebo-controlled diabetes trials (which lists reactions in at least 5% of patients). Alopecia appears only in the postmarketing list of voluntary reports, for which the label says frequency and causation cannot be reliably established. Written by the manufacturer, regulator-reviewed.

  • Alopecia is listed among side effects reported after Mounjaro came on the market. “Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue: alopecia”
  • The label says these after-market reports are voluntary, so their frequency and a causal link cannot be reliably established. “Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.”

OZEMPIC (semaglutide) injection: US prescribing information

Novo Nordisk · US prescribing information (DailyMed), 2026 · The manufacturer's US label for semaglutide at type 2 diabetes doses (SPL version 20, effective 2026-06-01). Hair loss is not listed in the adverse reactions table of the placebo-controlled diabetes trials (reactions in at least 5% of patients). Alopecia appears only in the postmarketing list of voluntary reports. Written by the manufacturer, regulator-reviewed.

  • Alopecia is listed among side effects reported after semaglutide (Ozempic) came on the market. “Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue:alopecia”
  • The label says these reports are voluntary, so frequency and causation cannot be reliably established. “The following adverse reactions have been reported during post-approval use of semaglutide, the active ingredient of OZEMPIC. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.”

SAXENDA (liraglutide) injection: US prescribing information

Novo Nordisk · US prescribing information (DailyMed), 2026 · The manufacturer's US label for liraglutide 3 mg for weight loss (SPL version 22, effective 2026-02-25). Hair loss is not listed in the clinical-trial adverse reactions tables; alopecia appears only in the postmarketing list of voluntary reports. Written by the manufacturer, regulator-reviewed.

  • Alopecia is listed among side effects reported after liraglutide came on the market. “Cutaneous amyloidosis, alopecia”
  • The label says these reports are voluntary, so frequency and causation cannot be reliably established. “The following adverse reactions have been reported during post-approval use of liraglutide, the active ingredient of SAXENDA. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.”

What the studies found

Risk of hair loss associated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in adults with type 2 diabetes: target trial emulation

Tang H, Zhang B, Lu Y, Zhang D, Liu R, Lu Y, Cotsarelis G, Asch DA, Chen Y · BMJ, 2026 · Observational study of Penn Medicine health records that mimics a trial: adults with type 2 diabetes newly starting a GLP-1 drug (about 12,000) compared with new starters of two other diabetes drug classes (SGLT-2 inhibitors, about 15,200; DPP-4 inhibitors, about 11,200), 2019-2024. Hair loss was identified from diagnosis codes, so mild shedding nobody coded is missed; being observational, it shows an association, not proof of cause. People with diabetes, not weight-loss users. NIH-funded; no manufacturer authors. Abstract only (the full text on bmj.com blocked automated fetching).

  • GLP-1 drug users had a higher risk of an alopecia diagnosis than users of SGLT-2 inhibitors (hazard ratio 1.37) or DPP-4 inhibitors (1.68). “use of GLP-1 receptor agonists was associated with a higher risk of alopecia than use of SGLT-2 inhibitors (hazard ratio 1.37, 95% confidence interval 1.08 to 1.73) or DPP-4 inhibitors (1.68, 1.28 to 2.20).”
  • The link held up in sensitivity analyses but got weaker after calibration against a negative-control outcome. “The associations were consistent across sensitivity and subgroup analyses, with attenuation after negative control outcome calibration.”
  • The extra risk was for non-scarring hair loss specifically. “Subtype analyses indicated that the association was specific to non-scarring alopecia”
  • The authors say the absolute risk is low. “Although the absolute risk is low, awareness of this potential effect may help to inform treatment decisions.”

Adverse drug reaction patterns of GLP-1 receptor agonists approved for obesity treatment: Disproportionality analysis from global pharmacovigilance database

Kim TH, Lee K, Park S, Oh J, Park J, Jo H, Lee H, Cho J, Wen X, Cho H, Kim S, Yon DK · Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 2025 · Pharmacovigilance study of VigiBase, the WHO's global database of spontaneous side-effect reports, covering people reporting reactions on liraglutide (24,725), semaglutide (21,454) and tirzepatide (11,538). It measures whether hair loss is reported more often than expected relative to other reports, not how often it happens: reports are voluntary and can be driven by media attention. Funding and conflicts not stated in the abstract. Abstract only.

  • The study compared side-effect reports for liraglutide, semaglutide and tirzepatide from the WHO's global database. “Our analysis of targeted adverse drug reactions included 24 725 individuals using liraglutide, 21 454 using semaglutide and 11 538 using tirzepatide.”
  • Tirzepatide had fewer adverse reaction reports and the weakest signals of the three. “Tirzepatide had fewer reports of adverse drug reactions compared with the other two drugs, and its pharmacovigilance association strength was the lowest.”
  • Semaglutide showed a reporting signal for hair loss (reported about 1.4 times as often as expected). “hair loss (IC, 0.78 [IC025, 0.63]; aROR, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.30-1.55])”

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and hair loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cheng PL, Chang HC · Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 2026 · Meta-analysis of nine interventional studies (7 randomized trials, 2 non-randomized) that reported hair loss, with 4,114 GLP-1 drug users; search up to August 2025. Pooling trials gives the strongest comparison against placebo, but hair loss was a side-effect report, not a measured outcome. Authors declare no competing interests. Abstract only.

  • The review pooled nine trials with 4,114 GLP-1 drug users. “A total of nine interventional studies, including 7 RCTs and 2 non-RCTs, were included in the final meta-analysis.”
  • Hair loss was about three times as likely on a GLP-1 drug as on placebo. “The pooled analysis revealed a significantly higher risk of hair loss in GLP-1 RA users than in placebo users (risk ratio [RR]: 3.252; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.437 to 7.358).”
  • Across the studies, about 3.9% of GLP-1 users reported hair loss. “Furthermore, a single-arm analysis revealed that the event rate of hair loss following GLP-1 RA therapy was 3.9%.”

Increased risk of hair loss with GLP-1 receptor agonists: A real-world multicenter TrinetX cohort study

Vidal SI, Akiska YM, Nasseri M, Menta N, Nussbaum D, Cotton CH, Castelo-Soccio L, Friedman A · JAAD International, 2026 · Research letter using TriNetX health records from 67 US healthcare organizations: 547,993 matched adult GLP-1 users and controls without GLP-1 exposure, 2014-2024, matched on age, sex, race, BMI and diabetes. Hair loss came from diagnosis codes; controls were not on another weight-loss treatment, so weight loss itself is not separated from the drug. Full text read. No funding, no conflicts disclosed.

  • At 12 months, GLP-1 users had higher odds of telogen effluvium (1.76), androgenetic alopecia (1.64) and non-scarring hair loss overall (1.40) than matched controls. “At 12 months, risks increased for TE (aOR 1.76), AGA (aOR 1.64), and NSHL (aOR 1.40), all P < .001 (Fig 2).”
  • Alopecia areata (autoimmune hair loss) was not raised; it was higher in controls. “AA was consistently higher in controls, suggesting GLP-1RAs do not significantly affect autoimmune hair loss.”
  • The authors list rapid weight loss first among likely mechanisms, alongside hormonal and direct follicle effects. “Likely mechanisms include rapid weight loss, insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 signaling, androgen changes, and direct follicular effects.”
  • They note the slightly higher rise in pattern hair loss could also come from drug, metabolic or surveillance effects (users seeing doctors more). “with a slightly higher rise in GLP-1RA users possibly due to drug-related, metabolic, or surveillance effects”

Hair Loss After Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Zhang W, Fan M, Wang C, Mahawar K, Parmar C, Chen W, Yang W; Global Bariatric Research Collaborative · Obesity Surgery, 2021 · Meta-analysis of 18 studies (2,538 patients, mostly observational, one RCT) of hair loss after weight-loss surgery, included here as the closest evidence on hair loss after rapid weight loss, not GLP-1 drugs. Studies were very heterogeneous (incidence 4.5% to 80%). It does not use the term telogen effluvium. Full text read. Authors declare no competing interests.

  • Pooled across studies, 57% of patients reported hair loss after bariatric surgery. “The pooled results showed that the incidence of hair loss after MBS was 57% (95% CI 42–71%).”
  • Hair loss was reported less often with longer follow-up: 58% under 12 months vs 35% at 12 months or more. “The incidence decreased from 58% at less than 12 months follow-up to 35% with more than or equal to 12 months follow-up.”
  • In one included study, hair loss stopped and new hair grew back in every patient within the 15-month follow-up. “However, during the follow-up period (15months), hair loss stopped and new hair gradually grew out in all patients.”
  • Hair loss was more common in younger women and in those with low zinc, folic acid and ferritin. “Hair loss is common after MBS especially in younger women, and those with low serum levels of zinc, folic acid, and ferritin.”

Quotes are copied from the abstracts (PubMed) and open-access full text (PubMed Central / Europe PMC), checked 17 Oct 2026. Things to weigh: the label rates come from trials where weight loss was the goal, so they can't separate the drug from the weight loss. The record studies compare GLP-1 users with people on other medicines; they show an association, not proof that the drug causes it, and people who see a doctor more often also get diagnosed more often. Three are abstracts only. None has authors from or funding by the drug makers. The weight-loss surgery review is about surgery, not GLP-1 drugs: it is here because it follows hair loss after rapid weight loss over time.

What people said on reddit

We found 231 threads in r/tressless and r/HairTransplants (Mar 2022–Jul 2026) where the post or a comment names a GLP-1 drug. Most of them only mention the drug in passing (“the Ozempic of hair loss”); 44 say something about GLP-1 drugs and hair. Threads per year:

  • 2022 1
  • 2023 16
  • 2024 45
  • 2025 102
  • 2026 67

2026 runs only to Jul 2026.

People who described their own use

23 people wrote about their own GLP-1 use and their hair (counted once each, mostly tirzepatide: 12; semaglutide: 4). 11 said they shed or lost hair on it, 7 said their hair was fine, and 5 named the drug without saying. Of those who shed, 2 said it had stopped and grown back, 3 were still shedding when they wrote, and 2 stopped the drug. This is a handful of self-selected stories, not a rate: people with a problem post more.

“I shed on it”

“My hair was fine”

What commenters said causes it

Number of the 44 threads where someone said it:

  • 20the shedding comes from losing weight fast (or eating too little), not the drug itself
  • 17GLP-1 drugs cause or caused shedding
  • 12eat enough protein and nutrients while on it
  • 9it didn’t affect their hair, or there is no link
  • 9ask your doctor or surgeon
  • 6the shedding is temporary and the hair grows back
  • 5their hair got better on it (via blood sugar, insulin resistance or PCOS)
  • 4pause it before a transplant or any surgery under sedation
  • 4worried it could hurt graft growth or healing

The common view was that the shedding comes from the weight loss, or from eating too little, more than from the drug: the same telogen effluvium seen after crash diets and weight-loss surgery. Not everyone agreed: one commenter's hair doctor told them it is common even without weight loss. The studies above can't settle this yet either.

GLP-1 drugs and a hair transplant

13 threads asked about taking a GLP-1 drug before or after a transplant. 9 people in them described doing so; none of them said it caused shedding or hurt their result. In 4 threads people said to pause the drug before surgery: the reason they gave was sedation, not hair. The Zepbound label warns of rare reports of stomach contents entering the lungs in people on GLP-1 drugs having surgery under deep sedation, and says the data can't yet show whether pausing the drug lowers that risk (see the label quotes above). Follow your own surgeon's and anaesthetist's instructions on when to stop and restart.

  • “I simply needed to discontinue the medication at least 10 days in advance of the surgery to avoid potentially vomiting while laying prone and under anesthesia.”
    From GLP1 and HT (reddit, Jan 2026)
  • “I ceased use a couple weeks prior but IIRC I believe he may have even said it was fine to continue it but I was conservative.”
    From Reta and surgery (reddit, Jul 2026)
  • “Just had a transplant on the 6th and on mounjaro, haven't had any problems yet.”
    From Hair transplants and Mounjaro (reddit, Oct 2025)
  • “Had a transplant 3 months ago and it’s recovered beautifully.”
    From GLP-1 pill after transplant (reddit, Jan 2026)

More on what can make hair fall out: does creatine cause hair loss?, does dandruff cause hair loss? and shock loss after a transplant. If you are planning a transplant, our directory of hair transplant doctors lists their published prices and checked credentials, with sources.

How this page was made

We took every live thread in our reddit corpus where the title, the post or a comment names semaglutide, tirzepatide, liraglutide or retatrutide (or a brand, or “GLP-1”), and read the post, the comments naming the drug and the top other comments. A person who told the same story in two threads is counted once. Each quote is copied word for word from the comment or post it links to; we picked them by hand so each states what it is shown under, and left out advertising and telehealth links. Each label and study quote is copied from the archived text. Removed posts are left out, usernames are not shown, and posts that mention suicide or self-harm are never quoted. Data as of Oct 2026. This is not medical advice: talk to the doctor who prescribes the drug before changing a dose.

SaveMyHairline is an independent hair transplant doctor directory: published prices, checked credentials and real patient reports, with sources — and no clinic can pay to appear.