Does Semiglutide Cause Hair Loss?

You may have heard the commercials and may even know the jingle for one of the trade name brands.  You may have heard your friends, family, or acquaintances talking about it as “the shot”; many news reports have been published about it lately.  What is the “it” to which I am referring? I am talking about the drug semiglutide.  Semiglutide is a generic drug; it is marketed under the trade names Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy.

     Semiglutide is a medication typically prescribed for type 2 diabetes.  It may be given subcutaneously once a week; Ozempic and Wegovy are administered in this fashion.  Rybelsus is an oral medication.  Some patients may get semiglutide compounded at a compounding pharmacy.  Semiglutide is available by prescription. 

     One of the effects of semiglutide is weight loss, which can be beneficial for patients with diabetes who are in the process of losing weight.  Semiglutide can suppress people’s appetites.  Recently, many people have been taking semiglutide specifically for weight loss.  Patients may lose up to 20% of their body weight within 6-12 months of taking the medication.

     Wegovy is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for weight loss; Ozempic and Rybelsus do not carry these indications. They may be prescribed for weight loss off-label; physicians and other healthcare professionals use their discretion and medical judgment when prescribing medications off-label.  Wegovy and Ozempic are manufactured by the same company (Novo Nordisk), but Wegovy is administered at a higher dose.  With 70% of American adults classified as overweight or obese, there is a growing number of physicians prescribing semiglutide in an effort to combat this condition. Shortages of semiglutide have been reported.

     Like any medication or medical procedure, there are risks and side effects.  For example, Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus carry black box warnings for the risk of thyroid C-cell tumors.  Recently, there has been much discussion on social media amongst semiglutide users regarding the drug’s side effects; people have been reporting hair loss.  According to the Wegovy prescribing information booklet, 3% of adult patients in clinical trials for Wegovy reported hair loss; only 1% of patients taking the placebo reported this issue.  In the pediatric population for children older than 12, 4% of the Wegovy patients reported hair loss; whereas, 0% of those in the placebo group reported hair loss.  (Note that the number of people taking Wegovy was much higher for both age groups).  Hair loss is not listed in the prescribing information booklet for Ozempic.

     Hair loss may accompany weight loss in some people, especially in situations in which someone is drastically and suddenly reducing their caloric intake.  As an example, hair thinning may be seen in people with eating disorders or in those who have malabsorption issues. Hair loss can be seen in patients who have undergone bariatric surgery.  Telogen effluvium, a type of hair loss that occurs when the body experiences physiological stress, may be occurring.

     More research needs to be done regarding the link between semiglutide and hair loss.  As always, speak with your physician about any concerns you may have about your medications and hair loss. 

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only, and is not meant to be used for diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment purposes.  This is not medical advice.  Please see your physician or care provider with any questions or concerns.