GLP-1glp-1 receptor agonistsalopeciatelogen effluviumdermatology

Review puts GLP-1 hair loss at 3% to 5% of treated patients

Pooled risk ratio versus placebo is about 3.3, with telogen effluvium from rapid weight loss named as the predominant mechanism.

By Maren Holt · Senior Reporter, GLP-1

Sep 20 20:00 ETSource: Clinics in dermatology

The wire

01A Clinics in Dermatology review reports alopecia in roughly 3%-5% of patients across pivotal GLP-1 receptor agonist trials, a pooled risk ratio near 3.3, supported by FAERS and real-world cohort signals.
02Authors set out management including protein targets of 1.2-2.0 g/kg/day on adjusted body weight, counselling on the shedding time course, and low-dose oral minoxidil as a pharmacologic option.
03The chapter is a narrative review rather than new primary data; by comparison, pooled hair loss incidence after bariatric surgery is cited at 47%-57%.

Hair and Scalp Effects of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists in Practice
Clinics in dermatology · 2026 Sep 21 · Bridges AG, Jackson T et al.