Side effects

Hair loss on GLP-1 medications

Hair loss has been reported with GLP-1 medications, more often in women. The labels link it to weight loss. Here is how often it was reported, and what two 2026 reviews found.

What the labels report

On Wegovy 2.4 mg, 3% reported hair loss versus 1% on placebo — 4% of women and 0.9% of men; on the 7.2 mg dose it was 5.8%^[1]. On Zepbound it was 4–5% versus 1% on placebo, 7.1% of women versus 0.5% of men, and no one in those trials stopped treatment because of it^[2]. Canada's Wegovy monograph reports it more often in people who lost 20% or more of their weight (5.3%) than in those who lost less (2.5%)^[4].

What reviews have found

A 2026 meta-analysis of 9 studies found a higher risk of hair loss with GLP-1 medicines than with placebo, with a pooled event rate of 3.9%^[3]. A 2026 systematic review found the most reports with semaglutide and tirzepatide, mostly the shedding type called telogen effluvium, more often in women, and noted rapid weight loss as a possible contributor^[5].

What to do with this

If you notice more hair shedding, mention it to your prescriber — they can look at the whole picture, including other causes.

General information from product labels and published reviews — not medical advice.