Can Ozempic, Wegovy & Mounjaro Cause Hair Loss?

Note: Medically Reviewed by Bosley Medical Group

Chances are, you’ve heard of Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro by now: sensationalized injectable drugs marketed as “miracle” weight loss drugs. They’re everywhere on the internet, in the news, and on the TikTok For You page. While these medications have helped many users lose weight, some have also reported losing something else: their hair.

If you’re considering trying Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro, you might be wondering: can Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro cause hair loss? And if you’re already experiencing hair loss after taking these medications, you might be wondering: how can you treat hair loss after taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro?

Learn more about these new popular medications and how they may be associated with hair loss.

What’s the Difference Between Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro?

Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are three recently popularized injectable drugs that may be prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes, lower blood sugar levels, and promote weight loss in certain patients.

Ozempic and Wegovy are different names for the same medication (semaglutide). They differ in dosage and FDA approval. Ozempic is FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes and to prevent serious cardiovascular events. Wegovy has a higher maximum dose than Ozempic and is FDA-approved to treat both type 2 diabetes and weight loss.

Mounjaro functions similarly to Ozempic and Wegovy but it is a different medication called tirzepatide. It targets different hormones and is the newest drug on the market, currently FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes.

Is Hair Loss a Side Effect of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro?

These buzzy medications can have powerful effects… as well as powerful side effects. Common side effects vary depending on the specific medication but may include nausea, diarrhea, decreased appetite, vomiting, constipation, indigestion, or stomach pain. More serious and rare side effects have also occurred, including hair loss. 

In Wegovy clinical trials, 3% of patients who received the drug did report experiencing hair loss, compared to 1% who received a placebo. Hair loss is not a listed side effect for Ozempic or Mounjaro, but some users have still reported experiencing it.

While hair loss is a rare side effect of these popular drugs, it is apparently prevalent enough that the FDA is paying attention. As of January 4, 2024, the US Food and Drug Administration is currently “evaluating the need for regulatory action” due to serious side effects including hair loss in people taking medications like Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy.

More research may be needed to determine whether hair loss is a direct result of these medications, but many experts estimate that hair loss taking place after taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro is associated more with rapid weight loss and preexisting conditions, rather than the drug itself. 

Rapid weight loss can cause a stress response in the body which can result in telogen effluvium, hair loss that occurs as a result of stress or trauma. Essentially, taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro may cause rapid weight loss, which may in turn cause telogen effluvium or “stress shedding.”

What’s more, research has found that type 2 diabetes may be associated with an increased risk of hair loss. In this case, hair loss may be a result of the condition Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro is attempting to treat (type 2 diabetes) rather than a direct result of taking the medication itself. 

Regardless of the root cause, you should be aware that some people have experienced significant hair loss after taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro, though it is not a common side effect.

Is Hair Loss from Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro Permanent?

Whether or not hair loss is permanent depends on the root cause.

Telogen effluvium (hair loss that occurs as a result of stress or trauma to the body) typically is not permanent. Hair loss caused by telogen effluvium typically occurs three to six months after the period of stress, then ends on its own after several months. Your hair may grow back in a few months as your body adapts to the weight loss brought on by Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro.

However, it’s possible that the hair loss you experience following taking Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro could be a permanent condition brought on by these medications, genetics, a medical condition, age, or other factors. A hair restoration expert can help determine not only the likely cause of your hair loss but also the best course of action to help your hair grow back and improve density.

Hair Loss Solutions

Depending on the cause and stage of your hair loss, you may be able to reverse the effects of hair loss with over-the-counter or prescription-strength medications, laser therapy, or even a hair transplant to restore your natural hair. Schedule a free consultation with a Bosley hair restoration expert to discuss your options.