New BMJ Study Examines Hair Loss Risk with Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Other Weight Loss Medications

If you’ve been taking Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or another GLP-1 weight loss medication and have noticed more hair in your brush or shower drain, you’re certainly not alone.

For the past couple of years, hairdressers, trichologists and medical professionals have been hearing the same question:

“Is my weight loss medication causing my hair to fall out?”

A major new study published in The BMJ has added important evidence to the conversation. Researchers found that people taking GLP-1 receptor agonists had a higher risk of developing temporary, non-scarring hair loss compared with people taking certain other diabetes medications. However, the study also reinforces something that’s equally important: the overall risk remains relatively low, and the findings don’t prove that these medications directly cause hair loss.

If you’ve been following our articles on Weight Loss Drugs and Hair Loss: What’s Really Going On?, Ozempic and Hair Loss, Wegovy and Hair Loss or Mounjaro and Hair Loss, this latest research provides valuable new evidence—but it doesn’t change the practical advice we’ve been sharing with our clients.

Let’s take a closer look at what the research actually found, what it means for people taking these medications and what you can do if you’re experiencing increased hair shedding.

What Did the New BMJ Study Find?

The study analysed the medical records of more than 12,000 adults with type 2 diabetes who had recently started taking GLP-1 receptor agonists between 2019 and 2024. Researchers then compared their outcomes with people taking two other commonly prescribed classes of diabetes medications.

After adjusting for differences between the groups, they found that people taking GLP-1 medications had:

• a 37% higher risk of developing hair loss compared with people taking SGLT-2 inhibitors
• a 68% higher risk compared with people taking DPP-4 inhibitors.

Those percentages sound significant, but it’s important to understand what they actually mean.

The researchers also stressed that the overall (absolute) risk remained low. In other words, while hair loss occurred more often in people taking GLP-1 medications than in the comparison groups, most people taking these medications did not develop clinically diagnosed hair loss.

Why This Research Matters

Hair loss has been widely discussed since Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and other GLP-1 medications became popular, but until now much of the conversation has been based on individual case reports, personal experiences and smaller studies.

This new research, published in the BMJ (British Medical Journal), is one of the largest real-world studies to examine the relationship between GLP-1 medications and hair loss. By analysing the medical records of more than 12,000 adults, the researchers were able to identify patterns that weren’t previously available.

While the study doesn’t prove that these medications directly cause hair loss, it provides stronger evidence that people taking GLP-1 medications have a higher risk of temporary, non-scarring hair loss than those taking certain other diabetes medications. It also reinforces the importance of understanding the many factors that can contribute to hair shedding during significant weight loss.

For anyone taking Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or similar medications, this research offers reassurance as well as awareness. It confirms that hair loss can occur, but it also highlights that the overall risk remains relatively low and that, in many cases, the shedding is temporary rather than permanent.

Which Weight Loss Medications Were Included?

The study examined the entire class of medications known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, rather than focusing on a single brand.

These medications include:

Medication	Generic Name
Ozempic	Semaglutide
Wegovy	Semaglutide
Mounjaro	Tirzepatide
Zepbound	Tirzepatide
Saxenda	Liraglutide
Victoza	Liraglutide
Trulicity	Dulaglutide
Byetta / Bydureon	Exenatide

While Ozempic and Mounjaro tend to receive the most media attention, this research looked at the broader family of GLP-1 medications rather than just one particular drug.

Does This Mean Weight Loss Medications Directly Cause Hair Loss?

Not necessarily.

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding this research is that it proves medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro directly damage hair follicles. That isn’t what the study found.

Instead, the researchers identified an association between GLP-1 medications and an increased incidence of non-scarring hair loss. An association means two things occur together more often than expected, but it doesn’t prove that one directly causes the other.

The authors also discussed several possible explanations for the increased hair shedding, including:

• rapid weight loss
• significantly reduced calorie intake
• nutritional deficiencies that can develop during weight loss
• changes in hormones and metabolism while the body adapts.

In other words, the medication may be only one part of a much bigger picture.

Why Rapid Weight Loss Can Trigger Hair Shedding

This latest research supports something we’ve been discussing with clients for quite some time.

When your body experiences significant physiological stress—whether that’s major surgery, illness, childbirth or rapid weight loss—it may temporarily redirect its energy away from growing hair.

As a result, a larger number of hairs enter the resting (telogen) phase of the hair growth cycle before shedding several months later. This temporary condition is known as telogen effluvium.

We’ve covered this in much more detail in our article Why Rapid Weight Loss Can Affect Your Hair, including why the shedding often begins two to four months after significant weight loss rather than immediately.

The encouraging news is that telogen effluvium is usually temporary. Once the underlying trigger settles and your body has adequate nutrition, healthy hair growth often resumes.

Possible Cause	Why It Can Affect Your Hair
Rapid weight loss	Places the body under physiological stress, which can trigger temporary telogen effluvium.
Reduced calorie intake	The body prioritises essential organs over hair growth when energy intake drops significantly.
Lower protein intake	Hair is primarily made of protein, so inadequate intake may affect normal hair production.
Vitamin and mineral deficiencies	Low iron, zinc and other nutrients can contribute to increased hair shedding.
Medication-related metabolic changes	Researchers believe this may also play a role, although further studies are needed.

What If You’re Taking Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro?

It’s important to keep these findings in perspective.

Most people taking GLP-1 medications do not experience significant hair loss. Even among those who do notice increased shedding, the hair loss is often temporary and improves as weight stabilises and nutritional intake becomes more balanced.

If you’re concerned, don’t stop your medication without speaking with your doctor.

Instead, consider:

• maintaining adequate daily protein intake
• eating a well-balanced diet rich in essential vitamins and minerals
• speaking with your GP if the shedding becomes significant
• having your hair and scalp professionally assessed to rule out other causes of hair loss.

Hair loss is rarely caused by one single factor. A professional assessment can help determine whether your shedding is most likely related to rapid weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes or another underlying condition.

What This Study Doesn’t Tell Us

As important as this research is, it’s equally important to understand what it doesn’t tell us.

While the study found an increased risk of hair loss among people taking GLP-1 medications, it doesn’t prove that these medications directly cause hair loss.

There are still many questions researchers are working to answer, including:

• Why some people experience hair shedding while others don’t.
• Whether the amount of weight lost influences the likelihood of hair loss.
• Whether nutritional deficiencies play a greater role than the medication itself.
• Whether certain people are more genetically susceptible to developing telogen effluvium during rapid weight loss.
• Whether the hair loss differs between the various GLP-1 medications.

Like all good medical research, this study answers some questions while raising new ones. More research will continue to improve our understanding over the coming years.

What Should You Do If You’re Losing Hair?

If you’ve recently started Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or another GLP-1 medication and have noticed increased hair shedding, try not to panic.

For many people, the hair loss is temporary and improves once their weight stabilises and their body adjusts.

In the meantime, you can support your hair by:

• Eating enough protein each day.
• Following your doctor’s advice and attending regular check-ups.
• Making sure you’re getting enough iron, zinc and other essential nutrients.
• Avoiding harsh chemical services or excessive heat styling if your hair feels fragile.
• Seeking professional advice if the shedding continues or becomes severe.

Every person’s hair loss journey is different. The sooner the underlying cause is identified, the sooner you can take appropriate steps to support healthy regrowth.

Related Articles

If you’d like to learn more about weight loss medications and hair loss, we’ve created a series of articles that explore the topic in greater depth.

• Weight Loss Drugs and Hair Loss: What’s Really Going On?
• Ozempic and Hair Loss: What You Need to Know
• Wegovy and Hair Loss: Is It Real or Just a Rumour?
• Mounjaro and Hair Loss: What Clients Are Asking
• Why Rapid Weight Loss Can Affect Your Hair

Final Thoughts

The publication of this new BMJ study is an important step forward in understanding the relationship between GLP-1 weight loss medications and hair loss.

While the research found an increased risk of temporary, non-scarring hair loss in people taking these medications, it also showed that the overall risk remains relatively low. Perhaps more importantly, the findings reinforce what many hair professionals have been saying all along: rapid weight loss, reduced calorie intake and nutritional changes are likely to play a significant role.

If you’ve noticed increased hair shedding while taking Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro or another GLP-1 medication, remember that you’re not alone. In many cases, the hair loss is temporary, and with the right advice and support, healthy hair growth can return.

At The Cutting Room, we’re passionate about helping our clients understand what’s happening with their hair and providing honest, evidence-based advice. If you’re concerned about hair loss or changes in your hair’s health, we’d be happy to discuss your concerns during a complimentary consultation.

Book your complimentary consultation today and let’s create a personalised plan to support your hair through every stage of your journey.