Some hair loss in men is linked to weight loss drug use
Men already genetically at risk for the most common form of hair loss have a 7% added risk of losing their hair if they use drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound for type 2 diabetes and obesity, a new study shows.
A recent study led by researchers at NYU Langone Health has found that men who use GLP1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound for type 2 diabetes and obesity have a 7% higher risk of experiencing hair loss. This increased risk was observed even after accounting for other potential factors such as hypertension, insulin resistance, and lowered testosterone levels.
The study focused on the GLP1R gene, which plays a role in increasing the body's levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor proteins. Men with androgenetic alopecia, a common form of hair loss, were found to have more active GLP1R genes. Researchers suggest that these findings could lead to new ways of screening and treating hair loss in men and possibly women who are prescribed GLP-1 medications.
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