While many have turned to pharmaceuticals to shed pounds, they may also soon be shedding their hair, as a new study has linked popular weight loss drugs to hair loss.
Semaglutide, the main ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, is the component researchers at the University of British Columbia have linked to an increased likelihood of hair loss.
The data used in the study comes from 16 million patients from 2006 to 2020, comparing the effects of users taking semaglutide-based drugs to those taking Contrave, a bupropion/naltrexone drug.
“Those considering using semaglutide strictly for weight loss might want to factor in hair loss as a possible limitation of these drugs, and in particular, women who may want to use semaglutide,” the study said.
While there appears to be a connection, researchers noted that they need to continue to study the relationship between hair loss and “GLP-1 agonists.”
“The risk-benefit calculus to treatment initiation may be different for those with diabetes or morbid obesity, and they may be more willing to accept hair loss as a potential risk of semaglutide treatment than those using semaglutide for recreational weight loss,” they wrote.
Novo Nordisk is aware of the risks of hair loss when taking Wegovy, having conducted several studies on the connection.
However, it told CNBC that it “remains confident in the benefit-risk profile of our GLP-1 medicines, when used consistent with their indications and product labeling.”