Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and hair loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis

A systematic review and meta-analysis of nine interventional studies found that people taking GLP-1 receptor agonists had a significantly higher risk of hair loss than those taking placebo (risk ratio 3.25). The increased risk was also seen when analysis was limited to randomized trials in overweight or obese patients, and the overall hair-loss event rate on GLP-1 RA therapy was 3.9%.

Meta-analysis — Systematic review and meta-analysis. Population: People using GLP-1 receptor agonists in randomized or prospective nonrandomized interventional studies. Sample size: 4114 GLP-1 RA users. Interventions: GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs).

Nine interventional studies (7 RCTs and 2 non-RCTs) contributed data from 4114 GLP-1 RA users. The pooled risk of hair loss was significantly higher with GLP-1 RA use than with placebo (RR 3.252; 95% CI 1.437 to 7.358). In the analysis restricted to RCTs in patients with overweight or obesity, the higher risk remained (RR 3.587; 95% CI 2.100 to 6.124). The single-arm event rate for hair loss after GLP-1 RA therapy was 3.9%.

Because semaglutide and tirzepatide are GLP-1 receptor agonists, researchers studying their safety profile need to account for this class-level signal linking GLP-1 RA use to an increased risk of hair loss. The paper does not establish whether semaglutide or tirzepatide individually carries this risk, nor does it provide a mechanism or dosing information.

Key findings

• GLP-1 RA users had a significantly higher risk of hair loss than placebo users (RR 3.252; 95% CI 1.437 to 7.358).
• The higher risk persisted in RCTs restricted to patients with overweight or obesity (RR 3.587; 95% CI 2.100 to 6.124).
• A single-arm analysis estimated the hair-loss event rate after GLP-1 RA therapy at 3.9%.
• The meta-analysis included 9 interventional studies: 7 RCTs and 2 non-RCTs.
• Data from 4114 GLP-1 RA users were analyzed.

Limitations

• The abstract does not report heterogeneity or risk-of-bias assessment.
• Combining RCTs with nonrandomized interventional studies may introduce confounding.
• The abstract provides no drug-specific estimates for semaglutide or tirzepatide.
• Hair-loss rates depend on how adverse events were ascertained in the original trials.

The record

• Journal: Diabetes research and clinical practice 237: 113333
• Published: 2026-05-18
• PMID: 42155605 — DOI: 10.1016/j.diabres.2026.113333
• MeSH terms: Humans, Alopecia, Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, Obesity, Hypoglycemic Agents, Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists, Tirzepatide, Semaglutide
• Author countries: Taiwan

Peptide profiles: Semaglutide, Tirzepatide.

All indexed evidence: Semaglutide trials & papers, Tirzepatide trials & papers.

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