Hormonal
Use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) is associated with a significantly increased risk of developing alopecia, specifically androgenetic alopecia (AGA), across multiple agents including semaglutide, tirzepatide, dulaglutide, liraglutide, and exenatide.
If you are using a GLP-1RA (like semaglutide or tirzepatide), be aware that there is a statistically significant, though small, increased risk of hair thinning (androgenetic alopecia). This risk varies by drug; tirzepatide did not show this risk in this study, while semaglutide, dulaglutide, and liraglutide did. The risk is not universal, and it does not appear to affect Alopecia Areata. Discuss this with your provider, especially if you have a family history of hair loss, as the mechanism may be related to metabolic changes or rapid weight loss rather than the drug itself.
Patients with any GLP-1RA use had a significantly higher odds ratio (OR) for diagnosis of any alopecia... Subanalysis for individual GLP-1RAs revealed significant increases in OR for any alopecia and AGA but not AA for patients on liraglutide and dulaglutide. Patients on semaglutide had a significantly increased OR for AGA. Patients on exenatide had a significantly increased OR for AGA and TE.
Why this rating
The study is a large multi-center retrospective analysis using a nationally representative database (All of Us) with multivariate regression controlling for many confounders, but it remains observational and cannot prove causation.
Source
Associations Between GLP‐1 Receptor Agonists and Alopecia: A Multi‐Centre Retrospective Analysis and Public Interest Trends
Lauren Ching et al. · JEADV Clinical Practice · 2025
DOI 10.1002/jvc2.70208
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