Does Ozempic cause hair loss as a side effect? 

Does Ozempic cause hair loss as a side effect? 

No, Ozempic is not associated with hair loss as a side effect. It was not reported during any of the clinical trials or research studies that were conducted to understand the side effect profile of this medication. 

If you’re experiencing hair thinning or you’re losing a lot of hair, it’s best to talk to your healthcare provider about it. Some experts have indicated that unmanaged diabetes can cause hair loss. 

In fact, it was frequently reported during clinical trials as too much glucose in the blood can make your blood carry a lesser amount of oxygen and nutrients. This blood circulates in your entire body, including your scalp. 

Lack of oxygen and nutrients from the blood can make your hair follicles weak and thus, you experience hair loss. So, if you’re experiencing hair loss on Ozempic, I would suggest you be certain that the medication is working well for you and is effectively controlling your blood sugar levels. 

You can try making a chart to record your sugar levels throughout the day for a week or two. This will help uncover any fluctuations or unmanaged diabetes. 

Although you will most likely continue to suffer from diabetes symptoms if your medication is not managing it effectively, it is still best to monitor your blood sugar levels properly. Ozempic may also cause this side effect if it causes rapid weight loss (1,2). 

However, medication works differently in different individuals. Some people may not respond well to Ozempic or may not lose weight on it.

What side effects are common with Ozempic?

Ozempic, although it may not cause hair loss as a direct side effect, is associated with some adverse events. These include (3): 

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Decreased appetite
  • Indigestion
  • Constipation

Rare side effects of Ozempic may include:

  • Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
  • Gallbladder problems
  • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
  • Kidney problems
  • Allergic reactions (rash, itching, swelling)
  • Thyroid tumors or cancer (rare but possible, based on animal studies)

If you have any concerns or experience any unusual symptoms while taking Ozempic, please reach out to your healthcare provider. 

Was this helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

References

1.-

Semaglutide (Ozempic) for weight loss. Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2021 Apr 5;63(1621):53-54. PMID: 33830968. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33830968/

2.-

Chamberlin S, Dabbs W. Semaglutide (Ozempic) for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Am Fam Physician. 2019 Jul 15;100(2):116-117. PMID: 31305048. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31305048/

3.-

Smits MM, Van Raalte DH. Safety of Semaglutide. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Jul 7;12:645563. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.645563. Erratum in: Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Nov 10;12:786732. PMID: 34305810; PMCID: PMC8294388. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34305810/