There’s no evidence that hair loss is a direct side effect of Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro. Hair loss is more likely due to the stress of rapid weight loss on your body, which can lead to temporary shedding of hair over several months, a condition known as telogen effluvium.
Can Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro cause hair loss?
Hair loss has been reported with these medicines after rapid weight loss, but it does not appear to be a common or permanent side effect. Not everyone will experience hair loss with Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro.
Studies
- In Wegovy (semaglutide) studies, hair loss (alopecia) was reported in 3% of adults using Wegovy and 1% using a placebo (inactive) treatment. In children 12 years and older, hair loss was reported in 4% vs. 0% using a placebo. These were not considered common side effects by the manufacturer, occuring in < 5% of people.
- Hair loss or alopecia is not reported as a side effect in the Ozempic (semaglutide) studies in the package insert, but has been reported by some people using the medicine.
- Hair loss is also not listed as an adverse effect in the package insert for Mounjaro (tirzepatide). However, a clinical study from 2022 reported that hair loss (alopecia) occurred in 4.9% to 5.7% of people using a 5 mg to 15 mg dose of Mounjaro, compared to 0.9% of those using the placebo.
Hair shedding due to rapid weight loss after bariatric (weight loss) surgery and in patients with type 2 diabetes has also been reported.
Why do Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro cause hair loss?
Experts think hair loss with Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro may occur due to a medical condition known as telogen effluvium, and is not a direct effect of the medicine itself, although more research is needed. It occurs due to disruption of the normal hair follicle growth cycle.
What is telogen effluvium?
Telogen effluvium is excessive shedding of hair in the “resting” (telogen) phase after some type of metabolic body stress, hormonal change, or medication use. Extreme and rapid weight loss may be a trigger for this condition.
Usually, your hair goes through a natural cycle of growth (anagen phase), transformation (catagen phase), and rest (telogen phase), leading to hair shedding. During the resting phase (about 3 months long), your hair stops growing and eventually sheds. The average person naturally loses about 50 to 150 hairs a day.
If you have telogen effluvium, it is thought some type of stressful change in your body sends more hair follicles (about 7% to 35%) into the resting and shedding phase. For example, with telogen effluvium you may lose about 300 hairs a day instead of 100, on average, leading to a noticeable hair loss. This may begin about 2 to 3 months after your rapid weight loss starts.
What causes telogen effluvium?
Researchers are not exactly sure what the mechanism is, but common triggers for telogen effluvium may include:
- a serious or chronic, debilitating illness or infection
- major physical trauma
- childbirth
- major surgery
- high fever
- hormone imbalances (like low or high thyroid) or androgen excess
- rapid or extreme weight loss
- nutritional or vitamin deficiencies that require supplementation (iron, zinc, vitamin D deficiency)
- psychological or emotional stress
- certain medications
Nutritional deficiencies, low protein or caloric intake and a sudden change in eating habits can worsen the possibility of hair shedding due to rapid weight loss with these medications.
In some cases, the reason for hair loss or shedding cannot be determined.
Is hair loss with Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro permanent? Will I go bald?
The good news is that hair loss or hair shedding (telogen effluvium) is usually a temporary side effect of rapid weight loss with these medicines. It’s also relatively uncommon, occurring in less than 5% of people, based on available clinical data, and typically only affects hair on the scalp.
Most people report that their hair tends to thin and may come out more frequently in the hairbrush, rather than leaving a bald spot. You may notice hair falling out when shampooing or brushing your hair, but it does not fall out in clumps.
Usually, once your weight stabilizes, this side effect will subside and your hair will regrow to its original thickness before you started treatment. Although you may notice hair thinning, other people may not recognize it all.
When does hair loss start?
Telogen effluvium hair loss usually starts about 3 months after weight loss begins, lasts for several months, and reverses over 6 to 12 months once your weight loss is stabilized, although the timeline can vary.
If you experience hair loss that is worrisome or does not go away when using Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro, contact your weight loss healthcare provider or dermatologist for a further evaluation. There can be other causes for hair loss that may be more serious or permanent. Your doctor can determine if treatment for hair loss is needed.
How can I prevent hair loss with Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro?
When you start treatment, talk with your healthcare provider about your expected weight loss goal, the time frame, and how you should approach a healthy diet. You may also want to meet with a registered dietician for diet and meal planning advice.
Find out what mix of healthy food and beverages you should be consuming, and how often. While this may not prevent temporary hair loss with Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro, it’s always a good idea to follow a healthy and recommended diet for weight loss. when using these medicines.
Weight loss with these treatments usually continue over a year, before you stabilize at your goal weight, and then the medicines are continued to help maintain your weight loss.
If you notice hair loss while using any of these medicines, or if you are losing weight more rapidly than expected, contact your healthcare provider. While telogen effluvium is typically a short-lived event and resolves on its own, you may need adjustments in your calorie or protein intake, vitamins or other nutritional supplements.
Let your healthcare provider know about all the medicines you take, as well, as some medicines are responsible for hair loss. Be sure to include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and any vitamins, herbal or dietary supplements you take.
Your doctor can also evaluate your diet and other stress levels, and be sure there is not another cause for hair loss, such as altered thyroid levels, polycystic ovary syndrome, or iron deficiency. If lab testing is needed, your doctor can order this, too.
If you notice hair loss, this might also be a good time to take a break from harsh chemical additives or rough styling tools for your hair. Use more gentle cleansing products and avoid excessive heat and tugging on your scalp.
Which drugs can cause hair loss (telogen effluvium)?
There is a long list of drugs and drug classes* known to cause temporary hair loss via telogen effluvium. Some of the more common agents include:
- Statins
- Blood thinners
- Seizure medicines
- Some thyroid medicines
- Beta blockers
- Hormones (for example: oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy, octreotide)
- Levodopa
- NSAIDs (for example: ibuprofen or naproxen)
- Certain mental health drugs (for example: antidepressants, anti-anxiety, or antipsychotics)
- Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs)
- Sedating (H2) antihistamines
- Antifungals
*Note that not all drugs within each class have been linked to telogen effluvium, but if you are experiencing unexplained hair loss, contact your health care provider for further evaluation.
What are Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro approved to treat?
Ozempic and Mounjaro are approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. At this time, Wegovy is the only agent of the three approved specifically for weight loss. However, phase 3 studies evaluating tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for use as a weight-loss treatment are under review by the FDA at this time.
- Both Mounjaro (tirzepatide), from Eli Lilly, and Ozempic (semaglutide), from Novo Nordisk, are currently approved to help control blood glucose (sugar) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes, when used in addition to a diet plan and regular exercise. Ozempic is also approved to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events (like a stroke or heart attack) in adults.
- Wegovy (semaglutide), from Novo Nordisk, is used in addition to diet and exercise for chronic weight management in adults and teens. In adults, it is used for overweight (BMI ≥27 kg/m2) or obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) patients. In pediatric patients aged 12 years and older, it is used in those with an initial BMI at the 95th percentile or greater for age and sex (obesity).
Semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, also known as incretin mimetics. Mounjaro is a dual-acting glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and GLP-1 agonist. All three medicines are given as subcutaneous injections (given by a needle under the skin).
Related: How do Mounjaro, Wegovy & Ozempic compare for weight loss?
What are the most common side effects with these drugs?
The glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are well-known for causing stomach side effects, but these are typically tolerable and short-term for most people. These include mild or moderate nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and stomach pain.
More serious, but less common or even rare side effects include a risk for thyroid cancer, which has been seen in animal studies, inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), gallstones (stones in the gallbladder), and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) is also a common side effect when used in people taking certain other diabetes treatments like sulfonylureas or insulin) and can be serious.
Other side effects to be aware of include those in the eye (diabetic retinopathy) and serious allergic reactions.
This is not all the information you need to know about Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.