A new study has suggested that the use of certain widely prescribed weight-loss medications may be associated with an increased risk of hair loss, medically known as alopecia.
According to the research, a number of people using GLP-1 receptor agonist medications including Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy have reported hair loss to regulatory authorities.
The findings are supported by a new study involving nearly 50,000 participants, which identified a possible association between the medications and an increased risk of alopecia. GLP-1 receptor agonists are primarily prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity.
The medications work by mimicking naturally occurring hormones that help regulate blood sugar levels, slow digestion, and suppress appetite, contributing to weight loss.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania Health System compared people using GLP-1 medications with patients taking other diabetes treatments to assess the incidence of hair loss.
The study found that regulatory agencies in the United States have received numerous reports of hair loss, particularly following the use of semaglutide and tirzepatide.
According to the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), 399 reports of hair loss linked to tirzepatide were recorded in 2026, compared with 541 reports in the previous year.
For semaglutide, the agency received 148 reports in 2026, down from 164 the year before. Researchers cautioned that while the findings point to a potential association between GLP-1 medications and hair loss, the study does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
They emphasized that further clinical research is needed to confirm the link and better understand the underlying mechanisms.
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