GLP-1 receptor agonists carry a higher risk of hair loss than other diabetes medications, according to a study published July 22 in The BMJ.
Researchers at Philadelphia-based Penn Medicine used EHR data to compare adults with Type 2 diabetes who started GLP-1 receptor agonists against those who started other diabetes drugs between January 2019 and September 2024.
After adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, pre-existing conditions and other factors, GLP-1 use was linked to a 37% higher risk of alopecia compared with SGLT-2 inhibitors and a 68% higher risk compared with DPP-4 inhibitors.
The increased risk was concentrated in non-scarring alopecia, a form of hair loss in which follicles remain intact and hair can regrow. Risk of that subtype rose 53% compared with SGLT-2 inhibitors and 72% compared with DPP-4 inhibitors.
Rapid weight loss is a known trigger for hair shedding, the researchers noted, in part because it can cause iron or zinc deficiencies that disrupt the hair growth cycle. Hormonal changes may also contribute, though the mechanisms aren’t yet clear.
The authors also noted several study limitations: without detailed clinical data, they couldn’t assess the severity, extent, duration or reversibility of the hair loss, and other unmeasured factors could have influenced the results. Still, researchers said the findings “extend previous anecdotal safety signals and provide more systematic evidence to inform clinical awareness of this potential adverse effect.”
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.