Does Mounjaro cause hair loss?

When starting Mounjaro (tirzepatide) to manage type 2 diabetes or off-label for chronic weight management, some people notice changes in their hair. After coming across social media posts about Mounjaro and hair loss, or experiencing changes in their own hair, many people wonder whether Mounjaro causes hair loss.

Hair loss is not listed as a side effect in the prescribing information for Mounjaro. However, people taking the medication who notice changes in their hair are not imagining it and hair loss has been noticed in some clinical trials. People on Mounjaro may lose significant amounts of weight quickly, and that rapid weight loss may trigger a type of hair shedding known as telogen effluvium (TE).

Mounjaro may contribute to hair loss, but it is an indirect side effect — rapid, significant weight loss triggers hair shedding, not the drug itself. In clinical trials, 4%–5% of participants who took Zepbound (which, like Mounjaro, contains tirzepatide as the active ingredient) reported hair loss, compared with 1% of those receiving a placebo.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notes that hair loss adverse effects were associated with weight reduction, not the drug itself. Hair loss did not appear as prominently in the Mounjaro diabetes trials because participants in those trials were not losing as much weight as quickly.

This raises the question: why may Mounjaro contribute to hair loss in some people?

Mounjaro is a dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist — dual GIP/GLP-1 for short — meaning it works by mimicking the effects of two hormones (GIP and GLP-1).

Mounjaro signals the pancreas to increase the amount of insulin released after eating and prevents the liver from producing additional sugar, which helps lower and stabilize blood sugar levels. The medication also slows the time it takes for food to move from the stomach to the intestines, helping people feel fuller sooner and for longer.

While Mounjaro is FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes, it is sometimes prescribed off-label for weight management because of its notable effects on weight.

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For example, in a large study of more than 2,500 participants with a BMI of 30 or more (or 27 or more with at least one weight-related complication), over half of those taking the highest dose of tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro) lost 20% or more of their body weight after 72 weeks.

Mounjaro may lead to significant, rapid weight loss — and that is one of the main reasons it may contribute to hair loss in some people. The type of hair loss typically associated with Mounjaro is called telogen effluvium (TE), which is triggered by significant changes to the body (such as rapid weight loss), physical trauma, and stress.

TE is characterized by diffuse hair shedding across the scalp, in a pattern distinct from other types of hair loss, such as male pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia).

In a healthy scalp, hair follicles cycle between phases. The majority are in the growth (anagen) phase, while the others are in the resting (telogen) phase, during which a person typically sheds approximately 50–100 strands daily.

When a person loses a significant amount of weight rapidly, the body may signal more hair follicles to enter the resting phase, leading to increased shedding. TE shedding typically lasts around 2 to 4 months after the onset of rapid weight loss and usually resolves within about 6 to 9 months if weight has stabilized, after which hair regrowth may begin. 

Nutrient deficiencies may also contribute to hair loss in people taking Mounjaro. Because the medication decreases appetite, a person may consume fewer calories overall and potentially miss some key nutrients essential for healthy hair growth.

Mounjaro does not directly cause hair loss, but significant weight loss may. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) lists losing 20 or more pounds as a known trigger for excessive hair shedding, a temporary condition called telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium typically resolves on its own once weight stabilizes and the body adjusts.

Maintaining a balanced eating plan while taking Mounjaro is recommended, as nutrient deficiencies — particularly in iron, zinc, vitamin D, and protein — may also contribute to hair loss. Research in people with telogen effluvium suggests that deficiencies in these nutrients are more common among those experiencing significant hair shedding.

While weight loss is a common effect of taking Mounjaro, most people will not experience hair loss. In clinical trials of Zepbound (tirzepatide), 4%–5% of participants  reported hair loss, compared with 1% of those receiving placebo. 

Hair loss or hair shedding associated with Mounjaro ( i.e. TE) typically starts approximately two to four months after the onset of significant weight loss and may continue for several months. Telogen effluvium usually tends to resolve within 6 to 9 months once the triggering stressor (such as rapid weight loss) stabilizes. 

Anyone experiencing significant hair loss while taking Mounjaro should consider speaking with a healthcare provider to determine whether there is another underlying cause of hair loss that could also be addressed.

While there are limited ways to prevent hair loss associated with Mounjaro, there are steps that may help if shedding occurs.

Speaking with a healthcare provider is a good first step, as they can help rule out other common causes of hair loss. Certain health conditions — such as thyroid disease — as well as other medications (such as antidepressants and oral contraceptives) may also contribute to hair loss.

A healthcare provider may also recommend a blood test to check for nutrient deficiencies, as low levels of certain vitamins and minerals — such as iron, zinc, and vitamin D — have been linked to hair loss and shedding.

Maintaining a balanced eating plan while taking Mounjaro is recommended, as the medication is intended to be used alongside healthy eating habits and regular physical activity. Eating a range of nutrient-rich foods, such as those high in protein and fiber, may support both weight management goals and hair health.

Hair loss associated with Mounjaro tends to be temporary. Certain treatments, such as minoxidil, may be worth discussing with a healthcare provider, though specific evidence for its benefit in telogen effluvium is limited.

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Mounjaro does not directly cause hair loss, but the significant weight loss it may trigger can lead to temporary shedding. Here is what to know:

• Hair loss associated with Mounjaro is typically telogen effluvium, a temporary form of shedding caused by rapid weight loss, not the drug itself.

• Telogen effluvium typically resolves on its own within a few months as the body adjusts.

• People who notice changes in their hair while taking Mounjaro should speak with a healthcare provider, who can help rule out other causes and check for nutrient deficiencies that may be contributing.