Yes, Wegovy, a brand name for semaglutide, may have some adverse side effects, including alopecia, although this side effect may be secondary to extreme weight loss rather than a direct toxicological effect.
Wegovy and hair loss: what you need to know
Wegovy is a long-acting injectable peptide medication, containing the active substance semaglutide – a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist- which decreases hunger hormone levels in the brain, thus reducing appetite and resulting in weight loss. Hair loss is a possible side effect of this type of rapid and substantial weight loss.
The FDA approves of Wegovy and has included adverse reactions such as hair loss in the drug’s prescribing information. Specifically, in trials of Wegovy for the management of overweight/obesity in adults using the 2.4 mg dose, the incidence of hair loss was 3.3% in the treatment group and 1% in the placebo group. The prescribing information further notes that hair loss reactions were associated with weight loss.
Furthermore, the manufacturer’s current prescribing information indicates that hair loss is one of the common side effects of Wegovy.
Is Wegovy damaging your hair?
Not directly, in most cases.
One of the most likely causes of hair loss for people using Wegovy is a condition called telogen effluvium. It is a type of short-term hair loss that occurs when hair follicles go into their resting phase too early and shed prematurely. Hair growth is a cyclical process that consists of three phases:
- Anagen – the growth phase
- Catagen – the transition phase
- Telogen – the resting phase, when hair falls out
Why is weight loss causing hair loss?
Hair follicles are sensitive to physiological stress. Some of the mechanisms by which rapid weight loss can lead to hair loss are as follows:
1. Rapid calorie loss
Wegovy can result in suppressed appetite. Individuals taking this medicine may begin experiencing difficulty eating sufficient calories for the day.
2. Protein deficiency
Individuals who are losing weight very fast or have a suppressed appetite due to medication may struggle to consume enough protein in their diet.
3. Iron deficiency
Consuming Wegovy can cause micronutrient deficiencies when an individual’s eating patterns are disrupted for a relatively long time.
4. Physiological stress
The physiological stress linked to rapid and substantial weight loss can also lead to telogen effluvium.
How common is hair loss in Wegovy users?
It is relatively rare but not entirely uncommon. According to the FDA’s new labeling for Wegovy, pooled trials evaluating Wegovy for the treatment of obesity in adults revealed that 3.3% of patients who received the 2.4 mg dosage and 1% of patients who received the placebo reported experiencing hair loss as an adverse event.
Furthermore, the incidence of this side effect was higher in females than in males.
The new FDA labeling also covers the 7.2 mg dosage, which was found to lead to hair loss as an adverse reaction in 5.8% of cases, compared to 3.3% in the 2.4 mg treatment group and 1.0% in the placebo group in the trial. Thus, it is evident that not all of the cases of hair loss are directly related to semaglutide, as its incidence was higher among patients who received the higher 7.2 mg dose.
When does hair loss from Wegovy start?
Hair loss due to telogen effluvium does not begin right away. A person may not notice any effects for several weeks or even months after the development of rapid weight loss. Some of the symptoms of hair loss are as follows:
- Finding significantly more hair than usual on the pillow in the morning
- Finding more hair than normal when showering
- Finding more hair than usual when combing your hair
- Finding more hair than normal in the hairbrush after combing
- General thinning of the hair, as opposed to total baldness
The signs and symptoms of telogen effluvium are not exclusive to this condition, and a person may have different causes for their hair loss. A person should see their primary care physician to rule out other causes if they experience rapid hair loss soon after starting Wegovy, since it might not be caused by the medication.
Should you stop taking Wegovy if you develop hair loss?
No, you should not stop taking Wegovy on your own if you develop hair loss. Contact the physician who prescribed this medication and ask for advice. They may have several recommendations, such as:
- Discussing your rapid weight loss and calorie intake
- Investigating the possibility of nutritional deficiencies or other causes of hair loss
- Evaluating your hormone levels, particularly if you have irregular periods or other symptoms
- Discussing your iron levels and performing additional lab tests, if necessary
What can you do to prevent hair loss?
Focus on nutrition
Even though Wegovy suppresses your appetite, it is critical to continue eating healthy meals and not skip any meals for the duration of your treatment. Pay close attention to eating foods high in:
- Protein
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Grains
- Beans
- Healthy fats
- Iron-rich foods
Avoid starving yourself
It can lead to telogen effluvium – a condition resulting from stress and characterized by large amounts of hair shedding. The doctor will help calculate how much the body needs and how to get rid of the excess without harming health.
Be gentle with your hair
While losing weight aggressively and shedding a lot of hair. To do this, you can, for example:
- Avoid tying your hair in tight styles
- Avoid using heating appliances on your hair
- Limit chemical hair treatments
- Use a mild shampoo
When should you see a doctor for hair loss?
You should see a doctor for hair loss if:
- It is extensive or worsening
- It is persistent
- You have patches of baldness
- You have severe itching or irritation of the scalp
- You feel excessively tired
- You have adequate weight but unhealthy hair loss
A doctor can help you rule out other causes of hair loss, such as:
- Hormonal problems, such as thyroid disorders
- A lack of iron or other micronutrients
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Alopecia areata, a condition that causes patches of hair loss
- Genetic hair loss
Wegovy hair loss vs other types of hair loss
It is critical to see a doctor if you suspect you have any of these conditions since they may need a distinct kind of therapy.
Conclusion
Yes, Wegovy can cause hair loss, but this is most likely due to the weight loss that it causes, rather than a direct toxicity on the follicles. Hair loss was more common in people who received Wegovy than in those who received a placebo, based on clinical trials that were used to get Wegovy FDA-approved. Furthermore, the drug’s prescribing instructions state that the side effects connected to hair loss were related to weight loss. Telogen effluvium, a temporary type of hair loss, is most likely responsible for Wegovy’s negative effects on hair growth, rather than the active substance semaglutide causing direct damage to the hair follicles. The reason for this is that hair loss connected to weight loss typically occurs several weeks or even months after losing weight. In Wegovy’s case, that means that patients should be concerned about getting enough protein and calories while on the diet.
FAQs
1. How common is hair loss with Wegovy?
A: Based on the trials with Wegovy 2.4 mg, hair loss occurred in approximately 3.3% of the cases versus 1% of the placebo group.
2. What type of hair loss does Wegovy cause?
A: It is most likely that Wegovy causes telogen effluvium – diffuse hair loss, rather than androgenic alopecia (hormonal hair loss).
3. When does your hair start falling out on Wegovy?
A: Hair loss due to Wegovy may occur at any point after rapid weight loss or another type of stress for the body.
4. Can I stop gaining weight if my hair is falling out on Wegovy?
A: Yes, eating fewer calories due to Wegovy’s suppressive effect on appetite may lead to hair loss if calorie intake is too low for your body to sustain. To avoid drastic weight loss, you should not eat substantially less than your calculated TDEE.
5. Can low protein intake cause hair loss on Wegovy?
A: Low protein intake may contribute to hair loss, because protein is needed to produce keratin – the major component of hair.
