Does Ozempic cause hair loss?

Ozempic (semaglutide) is an FDA-approved injectable medication for type 2 diabetes. Common Ozempic side effects include nausea and constipation, but you might have also heard rumors about Ozempic hair loss. So, does this GLP-1 cause hair loss? No, Ozempic does not directly cause hair loss. However, weight loss from Ozempic may be linked to temporary hair shedding, called telogen effluvium.

Here's what you need to know about Ozempic and hair loss.

Not exactly. There's no evidence that the semaglutide or any other ingredients in Ozempic cause hair loss. But Ozempic can cause weight loss, and rapid or significant weight loss might trigger temporary hair shedding. 

The exact number of people who experience hair loss with Ozempic is unknown. Existing data suggest that while hair loss on Ozempic does happen, it isn't common.

Here's what the numbers say:

• Clinical trials of Ozempic didn't identify hair loss as a side effect of this medication.

• About 3% of Wegovy clinical trial participants experienced hair loss. (Wegovy contains the same active ingredient as Ozempic, but the Wegovy dosage is higher and is approved for weight loss.)

• In a study using reports from multiple countries, researchers didn’t find strong evidence linking GLP-1 medicines to hair loss. However, compared to some other diabetes drugs, GLP-1s overall had more reports of hair loss.

• Between 2018 and 2025, 570 people reported experiencing hair loss while taking Ozempic, according to the U.S. FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

The 570 people who have reported hair loss represent a tiny fraction of the millions of people who have used Ozempic. There's also no proof that the hair loss in these situations was caused by the medication rather than something else, like stress or an underlying medical condition.

Hair loss

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Hair grows in a cycle, passing through several phases as it grows and is later shed. Ozempic-related physical changes (like weight loss!), nutritional deficiencies, and other factors can disrupt this cycle, potentially triggering hair loss. 

Weight loss

Ozempic is usually prescribed to regulate blood sugar, but it also causes weight loss by reducing appetite and slowing gastric emptying. And rapid or significant weight loss can trigger a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium. 

Telogen effluvium causes significant hair shedding from the entire scalp a few months after a stressful event. Weight loss may not feel stressful from a psychological standpoint, but significant physical changes can definitely be stressful for your body. If you lose a significant amount of weight after starting Ozempic, you may also experience hair loss. The good news? It's temporary. (More on that below.)

Nutritional deficiencies

GLP-1s reduce your appetite, meaning you eat less. That can be a benefit if you're trying to lose weight, but it can also lead to nutritional deficiencies if you're not intentional about filling your plate with nutrient-dense foods. 

About one in five adults develops a nutritional deficiency within a year of starting a GLP-1. Several vitamin deficiencies can also lead to hair loss. If you're concerned about hair loss while taking Ozempic, be sure to get enough iron, vitamin D, zinc, and B12. 

Type 2 diabetes 

Most people are on Ozempic because they have Type 2 diabetes. Research is clear that people with Type 2 diabetes have a higher-than-average risk of hair loss, specifically hair thinning at the crown of the head. The exact cause of diabetes-related hair loss isn't clear, but it might be because high blood sugar can impair blood flow to the hair follicles. Ozempic should help stabilize blood sugar, but you might still experience hair thinning if the follicles were already damaged.

Whether hair loss is temporary depends on the reason for the hair loss. 

Telogen effluvium

Hair loss after weight loss or a stressful event is called telogen effluvium (TE), and yes, it's temporary. 

TE is sudden, excessive hair loss caused by a specific trigger like physical illness, psychological trauma or stress, or major physical changes like weight loss or surgery recovery. Whatever the specific event, your hair follicles suddenly transition from a growth phase to a shedding phase. The result? You start losing a LOT of hair all at once. The good news is that TE typically goes away after six months and the hair usually grows back on its own. 

Other forms of hair loss

If a nutritional deficiency or high blood sugar is to blame, the hair loss should stop once the underlying problem is addressed. It's important to consult a healthcare provider if you think an underlying issue is causing your hair shedding or thinning. A simple blood test can help determine if you've developed a vitamin deficiency or if your blood sugar is still not under control.

Finally, it’s possible that your hair loss may be completely unrelated to weight loss, nutritional deficiencies, stress, or diabetes. If you've developed bald patches or a clumpy hair loss rather than overall hair thinning, it's possible that you have alopecia areata. This autoimmune disorder causes hair loss from the scalp, face, and body. Talk to your healthcare provider if you're losing clumps of hair—in that case, the timing of your hair loss while on Ozempic might be coincidental. 

If you experience hair loss at any point while taking Ozempic, your first step should be to notify your healthcare provider. They can help you figure out whether your calorie intake is too low, you're deficient in a key vitamin or mineral, or if this is simply your body's temporary response to weight loss.

Here's how to treat or manage hair loss while working with your prescriber to pinpoint the cause.

Eat a balanced diet

Ozempic makes you feel less hungry and stay full for longer. The result? You eat less. It's important to pay attention to whether the food you do eat has all the nutrients your body needs. 

Ensure you're consuming enough protein, which is the building block for healthy hair. Also, aim for foods rich in key nutrients, such as iron, zinc, and vitamin B12.

Take your vitamins (if needed)

If you're getting all the nutrients you need from the food you eat, you might not need vitamins or supplements. However, if there's a chance you're not eating enough to supply your body with all the necessary nutrients, consider consulting your healthcare provider about testing for nutrient deficiencies. If a deficiency is found, take your supplements consistently as directed. It might take several months to notice a change, but correcting a deficiency should reset your hair growth.

Consider a lower dose

Slow and steady weight loss is less likely to trigger TE than fast, dramatic weight loss. So if you're dropping weight quickly on Ozempic, consider talking to your provider about a lower dose. It's important to keep your provider in the loop about how you're feeling on Ozempic to make sure you're on a dose that is high enough to be effective but low enough to minimize side effects.

Be patient

Losing handfuls of hair in the shower can be scary. However, remember that if your hair loss began within months of starting Ozempic, you're likely experiencing temporary hair loss. TE is distressing, but it's short-lived and usually resolves on its own. Wait it out for a few months and see if the shedding starts to stabilize and stop.

Of course, it's always OK to ask your provider for personalized feedback on Ozempic and hair loss. If you're concerned about nutritional deficiencies or an underlying health issue, a healthcare professional can help you identify the problem.

Talk to your provider about hair loss treatments 

If you're still experiencing significant hair loss after addressing any deficiencies and waiting a few months, consider consulting a dermatologist. After assessing your scalp and situation, a dermatologist might recommend topical or oral minoxidil (aka, Rogaine) to encourage hair growth. Finasteride can also help, depending on the cause of hair loss.

Hair starts growing back 3-6 months after a triggering event or correction of any underlying issues. You can expect to notice significant regrowth within 12 months. 

Hair loss isn’t a direct side effect of Ozempic, but this medication can cause other side effects. 

The most common Ozempic side effects are gastrointestinal (GI) issues, including:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Constipation

• Diarrhea

• Abdominal discomfort

• Acid reflux

Other potential side effects may include fatigue, headache, and temporary discomfort at the injection site.

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Hair loss is not a side effect of Ozempic; however, some people may notice hair shedding and thinning after losing weight on this medication. Here are the key things to remember about Ozempic and hair loss:

• Rapid weight loss is a common cause of telogen effluvium (TE). TE is a temporary type of hair loss characterized by excessive shedding from all over the scalp. This is the most likely cause of Ozempic-related hair loss.

• Nutritional deficiencies can also cause hair loss. Since Ozempic suppresses your appetite, you might not be getting enough iron and B vitamins while on this medication. Developing a deficiency can lead to hair loss.

• People with Type 2 diabetes are more prone to hair loss than people without this condition. Hair loss on Ozempic may be due to your underlying diabetes diagnosis rather than the medication.

• There are things you can do to help prevent Ozempic-related hair loss. Eat a nutrient-rich diet, manage your blood sugar, and stay connected with a healthcare professional who can help you stay on top of your health.

• Hair loss from telogen effluvium typically resolves on its own. If you're still experiencing excessive hair shedding and thinning 3 months after your weight stabilizes on Ozempic, talk to your healthcare provider about testing for other causes.