People Who Take Weight Loss Drugs Report Hair Loss

People who take Wegovy or Ozempic for weight loss report not only losing pounds but also losing hair. In social media groups, people using the drugs have posted messages describing their hair falling out.

"What's really striking is that people don't have any scalp symptoms. There's no itch, and it doesn't hurt. But you can run your fingers through your hair to find a few hairs. "It can be very disconcerting," said Dr. Susan Massick of Ohio State University. She has seen patients lose hair after weight loss surgery.

Originally, semaglutide, also known as Ozempic, Wegoby, and Tirzepatide, and sold under the name Mounjaro has been intended for Type 2 diabetics. The medications are also prescribed to help with weight loss. The FDA has approved Wegovy for weight loss, but Ozempic and Mounjaro can be prescribed off-label.

Hair loss is a side effect that can be shocking, but Dr. Vijaya Surampudi of UCLA's weight management program, in Los Angeles, says it is relatively rare among those taking the medication.

Hair loss was not a listed side effect in Ozempic. However, in Wegoby trials, 3% reported hair loss compared to just 1% for those who received a placebo. Wegovy, while the same as Ozempic, is administered at a higher dosage. In a trial to see if tripeptide could help with weight loss, 6% of the people who took the highest dose of the drug reported hair loss. This is a general term for any kind of hair loss.

Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Tirzepatide, said in a press release that the hair loss observed in the clinical trials was usually short-lived. The statement stated that hair loss was a common side effect in previous trials of obesity treatment.

Hair loss is a side effect that can be shocking, but Dr. Vijaya Surampudi of UCLA's weight management program, in Los Angeles, says it's not common among those taking the medication.

Hair loss was not listed as an adverse reaction to Ozempic. However, in Wegoby trials, 3% reported hair loss compared with 1% for those who received a placebo. Wegovy, while the same as Ozempic, is administered at a higher dosage. In a trial to see if tripeptide could help with weight loss, 6% of the people who took the highest dose of the drug reported hair loss. This is a general term for any kind of hair loss.

Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Tirzepatide, said in a press release that the hair loss observed in the clinical trials was usually short-lived. The statement stated that hair loss was a common side effect in previous trials of obesity treatment.

Hair Loss is Common with Major Weight Loss

It is very common to lose hair during times of stress. This can be due to pregnancy, divorce, or drastic weight loss. Telogen effluvium is the name of this condition.

Semaglutide or tripeptide can suppress the appetite. This means that people tend to eat less than they are used to when taking these drugs.

Surampudi told him, "You're shocking our system."

People can lose between 5% and 20% of their body weight in 6 to 12 months while taking the medication before the weight loss plateaus. Messick stated that this is a significant change for anyone.

Normal conditions cause people to constantly shed and grow hair. The body reserves resources to perform essential functions in response to shock. The resting phase of hair growth occurs: the hair continues to shed, but it stops growing.

How can you prevent hair fall when you lose weight?

Surampudi explained that although there are cases where genetic hair loss and hair loss caused by another condition overlap, the hair does not usually grow back.

Hair loss can be caused by people eating less when on weight loss medications.

Dr. Priya Jaisehani, endocrinologist and NYU Langone's New York City campus explained that a poor diet or calorie restriction, as well as a restriction of protein, can cause hair loss when there is significant weight loss.

She said that she counsels her patients to avoid weight loss and hair loss. "But many of my patients are from outside providers and they come in with symptoms. We talk about the protein intake and rate at which weight loss is occurring."

Messick agrees that you should discuss your diet and your doctor. She said that ensuring you have enough zinc, biotin, and B vitamins, especially iron, could prevent hair loss if malnutrition was a problem.