Does Zepbound Cause Hair Loss?

Article Summary

Zepbound is a GLP-1 medication FDA-approved as a treatment for chronic weight management. But could it also cause hair loss? Reports from users provide anecdotal evidence that this drug may contribute to hair thinning. In this article, we break down the science behind these reports: what Zepbound is, how it works, why some users report hair loss, and the practical takeaways to prevent accelerating hair loss when using medications like these.

Full Article

Over the past few years, there has been a rapid rise in the use of GLP-1-based medications for obesity and metabolic health. It is estimated that 63.4 million GLP-1 prescriptions were dispensed in the United States between 2015 and 2020.^[1]Adhikari, R., Jha, K., Dardari, Z., Heyward, J., Blumenthal, R.S., Eckel, R.H., Alexander, G.C., Blaha, M.J., (2022). National Trends In Use Of Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors And … Continue reading Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound represent just a few of these FDA-approved GLP-1 medications used to treat diabetes and chronic weight management.

With a rise in popularity, there is also a rise in users reporting side effects. Alongside well-known gastrointestinal effects, some users online report hair shedding or worsening hair loss with drugs like Zepbound, including new hair shedding, worsening of pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia), and a “reversal” of prior hair regrowth!

But could this be true? In this article, we separate anecdotes from evidence. We’ll dive into the science behind Zepbound, the research discussing its association with hair loss, and discuss the ways you can monitor hair loss and reduce the risk of losing hair when you’re trying to lose weight.

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What Is Zepbound?

Zepbound is one of the many GLP-1 medications FDA-approved for the treatment of chronic weight management. It is an injection, usually taken once weekly at a dosage of 2.5 mg to 5.0 mg.^[2]U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025). Tirzepatide Injection Label. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/217806Orig1s020lbl.pdf (Accessed: 04 March 2026)

Zepbound is a brand name. Chemically, it is the same as Mounjaro, with both containing the active ingredient tirzepatide, but Mounjaro is FDA-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Tirzepatide mimics natural hormones found in the body – incretins (like GIP and GLP-1).^[3]Galindo, R.J., Cheng, A.Y.Y., Longuet, C. (2026). Insights Into The Mechanism Of Action Of Tirzepatide: A Narrative Review. Diabetes Therapy. 17. 19-40. Available at: … Continue reading By mimicking these incretins, tirzepatide has two key effects in the body:

• It’s a gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) analog: It stimulates insulin secretion 
• It’s a GLP-1 receptor agonist: It activates GLP-1 receptors, causing reduced blood sugar, appetite, and energy intake.

How Do GLP-1–Based Therapies Work For Weight Loss?

Let’s look deeper into how GLP-1 therapies like Zepbound really function to support weight loss. 

As the title suggests, it’s the GLP-1 receptor agonist activity of these medications that makes these drugs suitable for weight management. GIP analog activity may enhance weight loss when combined with GLP-1 activity, but this action does not promote weight loss alone.

1st step: Activating the GLP-1 receptor

Tirzepatide mimics the incretin GLP-1 (found naturally in the body). By having the same shape and structure as GLP-1, tirzepatide can bind to GLP-1 receptors. Think of the GLP-1 receptors like a lock, and GLP-1 as the key. When they interact, GLP-1 (or tirzepatide, in this case) “unlocks” and activates GLP-1 receptors.

2nd step: Signalling

Activation of the GLP-1 receptors causes a series of effects in the body:

• It lowers blood glucose levels: GLP-1 receptor activation suppresses glucagon secretion (which normally stimulates the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream) and increases glucose-dependent insulin secretion, promoting the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream into tissues.^[4]Galindo, R.J., Cheng, A.Y.Y., Longuet, C. (2026). Insights Into The Mechanism Of Action Of Tirzepatide: A Narrative Review. Diabetes Therapy. 17. 19-40. Available at: … Continue reading
• It stimulates feelings of satiety: GLP-1 receptor activation contributes to gut-brain signaling that relaxes the stomach and slows emptying, both causing a feeling of “fullness”.^[5]Tack, J., Verbeure, W., Mori, H., Schol, J., Van den Houte, K., Huang, I.H., Balsiger, L., Broeders, B., Colomier, E., Scarpellini, E., Carbone, F. (2021). The Gastrointestinal Tract In Hunger And … Continue reading

3rd step: Weight loss

Along with an appropriate diet and exercise, the increased satiety effects reduce food intake and promote higher energy expenditure than energy (calorie) intake. This leads to weight loss over time.

Types of Hair Loss: Telogen Effluvium and Androgenic Alopecia

Before we get into the how and why behind Zepbound and weight loss, let’s establish two of the main types of hair loss: telogen effluvium and androgenic alopecia.

Telogen effluvium
In the normal hair cycle, there are four phases: 

• The growth phase (anagen phase)
• The transition phase (catagen phase)
• The resting phase (telogen phase)
• The shedding phase (exogen phase)

Telogen effluvium is a condition where there are too many hairs in the telogen phase, causing diffuse premature hair shedding and a noticeable loss in hair density. 

There are many reasons why this might happen. Usually, it is caused by a “negative event”, like illness, stress, diet, surgical trauma, childbirth, or even starting and stopping medications. The time between exposure to a trigger and actual hair loss can be rather long – often, people will experience telogen effluvium 2 to 8 months after they experience a trigger.^[8]Malkud, S., (2015). Telogen Effluvium: A Review. Journal Of Clinical And Diagnostic Research. 9(9). WE01-WE03. Available at: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2015/15219.6492,^[9]Hussain, N., Agarwala, P., Iqbal, K., et al. (2022). A Systematic Review Of Acute Telogen Effluvium, A Harrowing Post-COVID-19 Manifestation. J Med Virol. 94. 1391-1401. Available at: … Continue reading,^[10]Bin Dayel, S., Hussein, R.S., Atia, T., Abahussein, O., Al Yahya, R.S., Elsayed, S.H. (2024). Is Thyroid Dysfunction A Common Cause Of Telogen Effluvium?: A Retrospective Study. Medicine. 103(1). … Continue reading,^[11]Kang, D.H., Kwon, S.H., Sim, W.Y., Lew, B.L. (2024). Telogen Effluvium Associated With Weight Loss: A Single Center Retrospective Study. Ann Dermatol. 36(6). 384-388. Available at: … Continue reading

Fortunately, telogen effluvium is not permanent in most cases. Once the “negative event” causing it has been removed, hair usually regrows after 2 to 8 months.^[12]Malkud, S., (2015). Telogen Effluvium: A Review. Journal Of Clinical And Diagnostic Research. 9(9). WE01-WE03. Available at: https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2015/15219.6492

Androgenic alopecia
This is a progressive hair loss condition, where more and more hair loss occurs with time. It is the most common type of progressive hair loss, and affects up to 50% of men and 30% of women.

Androgenic alopecia is characterized by miniaturization of the hair follicle. This means that the hair follicle gets smaller over time. This causes long hairs that contribute to the cosmetic appearance of hair density (terminal hairs) to turn into “peach fuzz” hairs that do little to contribute to hair “fullness” (vellus hairs). 

This happens because of an alteration to the normal hair growth cycle where the duration of the anagen phase decreases, while the telogen phase increases. The anagen phase determines hair length, so as it shortens, so does the length of hair. As the hair cycle repeats, this leads to more and more hair miniaturization and, eventually, a balding appearance.

You can often tell telogen effluvium apart from androgenic alopecia by examining the hairline. Androgenic alopecia typically starts with a widening part and receding hairline, while there is more diffuse hair thinning in telogen effluvium. 

If you’d like to learn more about androgenic alopecia, read our article.

Research Deep Dive: Zepbound and Hair Loss

Prescribing information for Zepbound notes that common side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and, interestingly, hair loss.^[14]U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025). Tirzepatide Injection Label. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/217806Orig1s020lbl.pdf (Accessed: 04 March 2026) There are only a few published clinical studies reporting the association between Zepbound and hair loss, so extensive evidence is limited. But let’s look deeper into the scientific evidence that we do have.

Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Trials 

Unfortunately, there are no studies examining the direct link between human hair loss and GLP-1 medications. However, trials and reports are showing that hair loss is sometimes reported in those taking GLP-1 medications. 

For example, there are two clinical trials reported in the FDA Zepbound documentation that have documented adverse reactions.^[15]U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2025). Tirzepatide Injection Label. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2025/217806Orig1s020lbl.pdf (Accessed: 04 March 2026)

These trials included a total of 2,519 adults who were treated for up to 72 weeks with Zepbound (at 5 mg, 10 mg, or 15 mg), or a placebo. When pooling all the data of adverse reactions, we can see that:

• 1% of users on the placebo reported hair loss
• 5% of users on 5 mg Zepbound reported hair loss
• 4% of users on 10 mg Zepbound reported hair loss
• 5% of users on 15 mg Zepbound reported hair loss
• One participant receiving the placebo discontinued due to hair loss 
• No Zepound patients discontinued the study due to hair loss

While hair loss is noted as an adverse reaction, the documentation doesn’t provide further detail. For example, did these participants already have pre-existing hair loss, or did they develop new hair loss? Reports could reflect hair loss that would have worsened naturally, with or without treatment with Zepbound.

Does this show Zepbound causes hair loss?

No. There seems to be a higher incidence of hair loss in those receiving Zepbound. But we can’t know whether Zepbound is a cause of hair loss, or if it accelerates hair loss in those already susceptible.

2024 FAERS Study   

A 2024 study reported that alopecia is associated with the use of tirzepatide.^[17]Godfrey, H., Leibovit-Reiben, Z., Jedlowski, P., Thiede, R. (2025). Alopecia Associated With The Use Of Semaglutide And Tirzepatide: A Disproportionality Analysis Using The FDA Adverse Event … Continue reading

The researchers searched the term “alopecia” in the FDA adverse reporting system (FAERS), which collects reports of side effects and adverse reactions from the use of FDA-approved drugs. They then isolated cases from 2022 to 2023 associated with GLP-1 agonist drugs.

They found that there were 179 reported cases of alopecia associated with tirzepatide, while semaglutide returned 199 cases. Other similar medications like liraglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide, and lixisenatide returned 0 to 65 cases. 

A disproportionality analysis was then performed. This is a type of statistical test that assesses whether effects are reported more often in people using a drug than would occur in the general population. They concluded that the reporting odds for semaglutide and tirzepatide were higher. 

But it’s important to remember that the FAERS is a public database where anyone can view and report adverse events – healthcare professionals as well as consumers, patients, and caregivers. That means reporting is vulnerable to:

• Media attention and amplification on social media
• Increased awareness leading to more reports 
• Missing clinical details that determine hair loss type, severity, and other factors that could contribute to hair loss (i.e., androgenic alopecia vs. alopecia areata, hair counts before and after treatment, weight loss rate, diet…)

This could inflate reports of hair loss for a particular drug. When we look at the numbers, we see that 84% of alopecia reports were from consumers, and only 16% were from healthcare professionals. So, how do we truly know that these reports of hair loss are clinically legitimate? The answer is that we can’t know for sure.

Does this show Zepbound causes hair loss?

No. What this study does show is that there could be an association between hair loss and Zepbound. It does not show that Zepbound is proven to cause alopecia; it simply signals that this association is worth investigating further. 

2025 Retrospective Studies

A retrospective study doesn’t generate new data; it looks back at old data (such as medical charts and databases) to identify patterns that weren’t previously seen. In 2025, two retrospective studies were conducted to find any association between hair loss and GLP-1 medications.^[18]Burke, O. (2025). Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Medications And Hair Loss: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Journal Of The American Academy Of Dermatology. 92(5). 1141-1143. Available at: … Continue reading,^[19]Akiska, Y.M., Vidal, S.I., Menta, N. (2025). Increased Incidence And Risk Of Hair Loss With Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists: A Real-World Multicentre Cohort Study. EMJ. 13(1). 52-54. … Continue reading

In the first study, the researchers focused on two hair loss conditions: androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium. They collected data from 2021 to 2023, including 283 patients aged over 18 years, who were on GLP-1 medications and also seen in the dermatology department at the University of Miami Hospital.^[20]Burke, O. (2025). Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Medications And Hair Loss: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Journal Of The American Academy Of Dermatology. 92(5). 1141-1143. Available at: … Continue reading

Of all the GLP-1 agonist users:

• 84.1% reported no hair loss
• 1.2% reported new hair loss

In GLP-1 agonist users with pre-existing hair loss (13% of users):

• 11.9% reported worsening of hair loss
• 0.4% reported resolved hair loss
• 0.8% reported stabilization of hair loss

Interestingly, tirzepatide was most associated with patients with telogen effluvium. Semaglutide was found to be most associated with androgenic alopecia. The fact that these two GLP-1 medications were flagged adds credibility to the 2024 FAERS study, where both of these drugs showed strong associations with reports of alopecia.

However, it should be noted that the association between tirzepatide and telogen effluvium was not found to be statistically significant. This means it could be down to chance! What’s more, the report of 1.2% of users experiencing new hair loss is approximately the same rate as would be expected in the general population over two years. So, this is not a strong indication that GLP-1 treatment caused hair loss.

In the second study, the researchers pooled electronic health records of over 100 million patients and searched for those on GLP-1 medications without a prior history of alopecia. Among the resulting 500,000 patients, it was found that after 12 months of GLP-1 use, there was a significantly elevated risk of users developing androgenic alopecia, telogen effluvium, and non-scarring hair loss.^[21]Akiska, Y.M., Vidal, S.I., Menta, N. (2025). Increased Incidence And Risk Of Hair Loss With Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 Receptor Agonists: A Real-World Multicentre Cohort Study. EMJ. 13(1). 52-54. … Continue reading

While retrospective data can be useful, we must consider that the design of these studies lacks some key components that allow us to make strong conclusions:

• It’s not randomized
• No untreated control group
• Hair outcomes were self-reported rather than objectively measured through hair counts 
• The duration of medication use was not clearly tracked or standardized

Without these parameters in place, it’s difficult to say whether the patients are reporting a worsening of hair loss due to GLP-1 medications or simply due to pre-existing hair loss conditions and susceptibilities that are naturally progressing with age while they are taking the medication.

Does this show Zepbound causes hair loss?

No. The studies raise a hypothesis and support further investigation, but do not demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship between Zepbound and hair loss.

How Might Zepbound Contribute to Hair Loss?

From the studies, it seems there is no evidence to suggest that Zepbound causes hair loss, but there is evidence to support that there may be an association between Zepbound and hair loss in a small number of users. Because Zepbound often produces meaningful weight loss, it raises a key question: Is any hair loss due to the drug itself or due to the weight loss?

No single mechanism has been confirmed, but several possible explanations exist.^[23]Desai, D.D., Sikora, M., Nohria, A., Bordone, L., Caplan, A.S., Shapiro, J., Lo Sicco, K.I. (2024). GLP-1 Agonists And Hair Loss: A Call For Further Investigation. International Journal Of … Continue reading

Direct Action Against The Hair Cycle

In one animal study that predates the first FDA-approved GLP-1 drug, Byetta, it was found that  GLP-1 levels were heightened at the hair follicles within the skin of newborn mice.^[24]List, J.F., He, H., Habener, J.F. (2006). Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor And Proglucagon Expression In Mouse Skin. Regulatory Peptides. 134(2–3). 149-157. Available at: … Continue reading The study also found that, in skin cells, GLP-1 was found to activate the MAPK/ERK pathway, which is associated with cell proliferation.

The researchers conclude that GLP-1 could have a role in hair follicle development. Could this provide a potential link between GLP-1 medications and hair? If anything, the study shows that GLP-1 would contribute to hair growth, not decline. 

The study does not include any testing on humans – what happens in an animal does not always translate to what happens in humans. So what we can take from this study is that there could be some involvement of GLP-1 in the hair cycle of mice, but we can’t conclude whether GLP-1 could have the same involvement in humans nor whether this mechanism is a plausible cause of the Zepbound and hair loss association.

Rapid Weight Loss, Caloric Deficit, and Nutritional Deficiencies 

We know that telogen effluvium can be triggered by a variety of stressors, and one of the well-established triggers for telogen effluvium is rapid weight loss.^[25]Smolarczyk, K., Meczekalski, B., Rudnicka, E., Suchta, K., Szeliga, A. (2024). Association Of Obesity And Bariatric Surgery On Hair Health. Medicina. 60(2). 325. Available at: … Continue reading

For example, within the first three months after bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery), a case study of a 24-year-old woman noted the development of telogen effluvium.^[26]Cohen-Kurzrock, R.A., Cohen, P.R., (2021). Bariatric Surgery-Induced Telogen Effluvium (Bar SITE): Case Report And A Review Of Hair Loss Following Weight Loss Surgery. Cureus. 13(4). e14617. … Continue reading

This is not an isolated incident – hair loss has been noted in several cases following bariatric surgery.^[28]Rojas, P., Gosch, M., Basfi-Fer, K., (2011). Alopecia In Women With Severe And Morbid Obesity Who Undergo Bariatric Surgery. Nutricion Hospitalaria. 26(4). 856-862. Available at: … Continue reading,^[29]Nadler, E.P., Youn, H.A., Ginsburg, H.B., Ren, C.J., Fielding, G.A., (2007). Short-Term Results In 53 US Obese Pediatric Patients Treated With Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding. Journal Of … Continue reading,^[30]Nadler, E.P., Youn, H.A., Ren, C.J., Fielding, G.A., (2008). An Update On 73 US Obese Pediatric Patients Treated With Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding: Comorbidity Resolution And Compliance … Continue reading

The case study speculates that this hair loss may be the result of nutritional deficiencies, which can occur after bariatric surgery.^[31]Ruiz-Tovar, J., Oller, I., Llavero, C., Zubiaga, L., Diez, M., Arroyo, A., Calero, A., Calpena, R., (2014). Hair Loss In Females After Sleeve Gastrectomy: Predictive Value Of Serum Zinc And Iron … Continue reading,^[32]Almohanna, H.M., Ahmed, A.A., Tsatalis, J.P., Tosti, A., (2019). The Role Of Vitamins And Minerals In Hair Loss: A Review. Dermatology And Therapy. 9(1). 51-70. Available at: … Continue reading However, in this case, evaluation of her nutritional profile showed no deficiencies, and the hair loss was resolved within 14 months of surgery.

But it’s not just weight loss from bariatric surgery that can cause telogen effluvium. Those who have lost weight due to diet (calorie reduction) have also been shown to experience telogen effluvium.^[33]Kang, D.H., Kwon, S.H., Sim, W.Y., Lew, B.L., (2024). Telogen Effluvium Associated With Weight Loss: A Single Center Retrospective Study. Annals Of Dermatology. 36(6). 384-388. Available at: … Continue reading

Why might this be? There isn’t one specified cause of telogen effluvium from weight loss and diet change, but a few potential contributors include:

• Sustained calorie restriction
• Reduced protein intake
• Iron, zinc, or other micronutrient insufficiencies
• Physiologic stress from rapid fat loss or surgery

Calories, proteins, and nutrients are needed to sustain hair follicle growth, and stress is a known driver of hair loss. So, it’s possible these factors associated with weight loss and diet changes could act to trigger telogen effluvium.

When taking a medication like Zepbound, appetite suppression for prolonged periods could inadvertently create very low caloric intake and result in nutrient deficiencies.  In line with this, studies have shown that GLP-1 users often do not eat adequate amounts of protein and have insufficient intake of multiple key nutrients.^[34]Johnson, B., Milstead, M., Thomas, O. (2025). Investigating Nutrient Intake During Use Of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist: A Cross-Sectional Study. Frontiers In Nutrition. 12. 1566498. … Continue reading This may shift hairs prematurely into the telogen phase, increasing shedding and triggering telogen effluvium.

Telogen effluvium typically begins 2 to 4 months after the trigger and is often reversible, though regrowth can sometimes appear finer initially. The bad news is that telogen effluvium could also accelerate the onset or appearance of androgenic alopecia for susceptible individuals. 

If shedding is increased, this means that hair follicle miniaturization is also accelerated, since hair follicle miniaturization occurs with repeated hair cycles. In this way, weight loss and reduced calorie intake promoted by Zepbound may appear to worsen androgenic alopecia. This hasn’t been demonstrated in research, but it is a plausible scenario. 

Changes to Hormonal Pathways 

Zepbound may affect the hormonal pathways that regulate hair growth. Insulin is known to increase the production of hormones like IGF-1.^[35]Brismar, K., Fernqvist-Forbes, E., Wahren, J., Hall, K., (1994). Effect Of Insulin On The Hepatic Production Of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-Binding Protein-1 (IGFBP-1), IGFBP-3, And IGF-I In … Continue reading IGF-1 stimulates hair follicle proliferation, promotes movement into the anagen phase, and reduces cell death of hair follicles.^[36]Hsieh, W.J., Qiu, W.Y., Percec, I., Chang, T.M., (2025). Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1) In Hair Regeneration: Mechanistic Pathways And Therapeutic Potential. Current Issues In Molecular … Continue reading

In support of this, a 2021 case report documented hair shedding in a 54-year-old woman with diabetes and hair loss, demonstrating that insulin therapy, but not minoxidil, led to hair growth and reduced hair shedding.^[37]Kant, R., Barnwal, S., Sharma, S.K., Thakur, K. (2021). Reversal Of Alopecia By Insulin Therapy In Uncontrolled Type 2 DM: A Case Report. Journal Of Diabetology. 12(4). 533-537. Available at: … Continue reading

However, this is just a case report. Much like the retrospective study discussed earlier, a report like this lacks:

• Multiple participants
• Randomization
• An untreated control group
• Objective measures of hair counts from before and after treatment

This doesn’t discredit the findings, but it doesn’t allow the results to be applied to a general population, and it’s difficult to conclude causality. What we can take from this is that, in this case, there may be an association between insulin and hair growth. 

Why is this important?

Because we know that GLP-1 therapies increase glucose-dependent insulin secretion, promoting the uptake of glucose from the bloodstream into tissues. This means that when glucose is high (like after a meal), the insulin response is enhanced to rid the extra glucose. But with long-term use, the curbing of appetite, weight loss, and reduced food intake could reduce the amount of insulin produced by the body more than before treatment.^[39]{Jørgensen, S.W., Hjort, L., Gillberg, L., Justesen, L., Madsbad, S., Brøns, C., Vaag, A.A. (2021). Impact Of Prolonged Fasting On Insulin Secretion, Insulin Action, And Hepatic Versus Whole Body … Continue reading,^[40]Alhowiti, A., Mirghani, H. (2025). The Effects Of GLP-1 Agonists On HbA1c And Insulin Dose Among Patients With Type 1 Diabetes. Frontiers In Endocrinology. 16. 1550938. Available at: … Continue reading,^[41]Luo, Y., Yang, S., Zeng, H., Liu, S., Zhang, Y., Li, J.E., Liu, J. (2025). Both Subcutaneous Semaglutide And Calorie Restriction Improves Pancreatic Cell Hyperplasia And Gut Microbiota In High-Fat … Continue reading So, it’s possible GLP-1 medications like Zepbound may, in turn, inadvertently lower the activation of the pathways that insulin affects (like the IGF-1 pathway for hair follicle growth).

Insulin changes could also contribute to the onset of telogen effluvium. For those with a genetic susceptibility, this may trigger an earlier onset of androgenic alopecia, or just faster visibility of hair loss. However, it’s important to remember that this is just a theory for now – there’s no evidence to show that this does, in fact, happen.

Should You Be Concerned About Hair Loss If You’re Taking Zepbound?

If you’re taking Zepbound, you may be concerned about hair loss as a side effect. But the evidence suggests that, unless you already have pre-existing hair loss, you probably don’t have to worry. 

If you have no signs of hair loss

• Current evidence suggests the risk of new-onset hair loss is likely low
• Most users in clinical observational data report no hair loss

If you have androgenic alopecia

• You may be more likely to notice worsening during rapid weight loss
• A shed can reduce density and make pattern thinning more obvious
• Some people may benefit from starting androgenic alopecia treatment alongside weight loss therapy, especially if hair preservation is a priority

Considering treatments for androgenic alopecia? Take a look at our articles on the FDA-approved treatments for this condition, topical minoxidil and oral finasteride.

If you have early or unnoticed androgenic alopecia

• Shedding related to weight loss can make thinning suddenly noticeable
• This may feel like the medication “caused” hair loss, when it may have revealed an underlying pattern

If you have a family history of baldness or are worried you might have androgenic alopecia, you may want to consult your doctor before taking a medication like Zepbound for a scalp assessment and to understand your potential for hair loss. Age, smoking, and obesity are also risk factors for androgenic alopecia.^[42]Liu, L.P., Wariboko, M.A., Hu, X., Wang, Z.H., Wu, Q., Li, Y.M., (2024). Factors Associated With Early-Onset Androgenetic Alopecia: A Scoping Review. PLOS ONE. 19(3). e0299212. Available at: … Continue reading

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Practical Considerations While Taking Zepbound

If you have or suspect you may have androgenic alopecia, it doesn’t mean you have to avoid or stop using Zepbound. 

There are two clear strategies to reduce hair loss when using GLP-1 medications:

• Aim for slower, steadier weight loss when possible: Slowly increase dosage over time so that weight loss occurs gradually, as opposed to rapidly
• If you have androgenic alopecia, start a hair loss treatment: Hair loss can be minimized with FDA-approved treatments for androgenic alopecia, like topical minoxidil or oral finasteride, along with a plethora of other treatments that are effective for stabilizing hair loss and promoting hair regrowth

You can also make sure to prioritize adequate protein intake, ensure you are getting sufficient iron and key micronutrients, and avoid extreme calorie deficits for long periods.

If shedding occurs, don’t panic.

• Evaluate timing to assess whether it is telogen effluvium (often 2 to 4 months after rapid weight loss)
• Consider whether the pattern looks like telogen effluvium (diffuse thinning) or androgenic alopecia (typically starts with a widening part and receding hairline)
• Discuss your concerns with your doctor and determine the next steps

By doing this, you should be able to balance healthy weight loss with healthy hair outcomes.

Final Thoughts

Online anecdotes about Zepbound have amplified concern that this drug may cause hair loss, but the current clinical evidence does not establish this GLP-1 medication as a cause of hair loss. The answer likely isn’t the drug itself, but what the drug facilitates: weight loss. Weight loss is a known trigger of telogen effluvium, a temporary hair loss condition. 

For those with diagnosed, early, or undiagnosed androgenic alopecia, telogen effluvium may accelerate the onset or progression of hair miniaturization. So, for most people without underlying hair loss, significant or permanent thinning from Zepbound appears unlikely. But for those with androgenic alopecia, it’s possible the rapid weight loss associated with this drug could promote worsening of your current condition.

The good news is you don’t have to avoid or stop taking Zepbound if you have androgenic alopecia. Monitor hair loss, ramp up dosage slowly to avoid rapid weight loss, and incorporate some hair loss interventions into your routine to help reduce the chance that weight loss from Zepbound could make hair loss more noticeable.