‘Ozempic face’ and hair loss: what evidence is there for weight-loss drug side-effects?
Research into GLP-1 medications is not always robust but complaints such as digestive problems are well knownWeight loss jabs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro have boomed in popularity,
By The Guardian
Researchers have found that GLP-1 weight-loss and diabetes medicines such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro may be linked with a higher risk of hair loss, although the absolute risk remains low.
The new analysis, reported this week, found adults with type 2 diabetes who used GLP-1 receptor agonists developed alopecia more often than patients taking two other common diabetes medicines. After adjustment for other factors, the risk was 37% higher than with SGLT-2 inhibitors and 68% higher than with DPP-4 inhibitors.
The study suggested the link was limited to non-scarring alopecia, a form of hair loss in which follicles remain intact and regrowth is possible. Reported rates were low overall, at roughly 3 to 9 cases per 1,000 people a year in the comparison groups.
The report also noted that stomach-related side effects such as nausea and digestive problems are already well known with GLP-1 medicines. It said the evidence around other reported effects is mixed, with some complaints better studied than others.
Other sources cited in the coverage said regulators have received reports of hair loss with these drugs, but that direct causation has not been firmly established.