GLP-1 Drugs Linked to Hair Loss and Nail Detachment in New Studies
Two studies presented in Europe suggest that users of GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, are reporting higher rates of hair loss and nail detachment compared to non-users.
New research indicates that GLP-1 medications, widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity, may be associated with unexpected side effects including hair loss and nail detachment.
Presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology's annual meeting in Vienna, two studies found that patients taking GLP-1 drugs reported nail detachment more than four times as often as those who had not used the medications. Additionally, about 46 percent of GLP-1 users reported nail discoloration, compared to 17 percent of non-users.
A second study revealed that 50 percent of GLP-1 users experienced unusual levels of hair loss, versus 34 percent of non-users. Decreases in hair volume and density were reported by 42 percent of participants taking the drugs, more than double the 19 percent among those who had never taken them.
The studies involved a total of 1,904 participants with obesity and/or type 2 diabetes, 575 of whom were taking GLP-1s. Researchers cautioned that the findings are preliminary and require confirmation in a peer-reviewed publication.