Mounjaro is a weight loss medication that contains the active ingredient tirzepatide. Similar to other popular treatments like Wegovy, it is taken as a once-weekly injection. [1] While its benefits for weight management and type 2 diabetes are well documented, today we’re looking into whether there could be a link between this medication and unexpected hair loss (also known as alopecia).
This NHS approved treatment is generally referred to as a GLP-1 weight loss treatment, because it helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduce appetite. However, it is actually slightly different because it is both a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. As a dual receptor agonist, Mounjaro has been linked to increased levels of adiponectin, a protein which helps regulate glucose levels and improve fat metabolism and insulin sensitivity. [2] Mounjaro’s dual-action approach has been shown in clinical trials to help people lose up to 20.9% of their body weight after 72 weeks along with a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise. [3]
A recently published report from the MHRA, the UK’s regulatory agency for medicines, has added hair loss to Mounjaro’s list of adverse effects. Within the group studied, 4% of participants taking the weight loss medication reported hair loss compared with 0.7% of those taking a placebo treatment. [4] More common side effects of Mounjaro are gastrointestinal ones like nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation; as well as injection site reactions and fatigue. [5]
While active ingredients like tirzepatide don’t directly cause the hair to fall out, it can happen as an indirect effect of taking the medication. That’s because rapid weight loss can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium. [6]
When our hair is in the rest phase of its natural growth cycle, it stops growing and sheds – between 50 to 150 hairs a day on average. The medical condition telogen effluvium can cause more hair follicles than normal to be sent into the rest phase. This can cause more hair loss than normal – which may lead to more noticeable hair thinning. Alongside rapid weight loss, telogen effluvium can be triggered by big biological changes like childbirth, serious illness, major surgery, nutritional deficiency or physical trauma. [5]
Hair loss caused by telogen effluvium is typically a temporary side effect. If it occurs, it usually will do so 2-3 months following rapid weight loss. Once your weight loss stabilises and you reach your maintenance dose of Mounjaro, that’s when we can expect to see the temporary hair loss caused by telogen effluvium reverse, and normal hair loss resume. [5] It's worth noting that the exact timing and resolution of telogen effluvium can vary among individuals, and factors like nutrient deficiencies or hormonal changes might influence the duration and severity of hair loss. However, if you’re concerned that your hair loss is prolonged or extreme, ask our Levity clinical team or your healthcare provider for advice on managing your condition.
Interested in starting your own weight loss journey with Levity? Visit our website here to find out what treatment is right for you.
[1] Farzam K, Patel P. Tirzepatide [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK585056
[2] Thomas MK, Nikooienejad A, Bray R, Cui X, Wilson J, Duffin K, Milicevic Z, Haupt A, Robins DA. Dual GIP and GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Tirzepatide Improves Beta-cell Function and Insulin Sensitivity in Type 2 Diabetes. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2021 Jan 23;106(2):388-396. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa863. PMID: 33236115; PMCID: PMC7823251.
[3] Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, Wharton S, Connery L, Alves B, et al. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine [Internet]. 2022 Jun 4;387(3). Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038
[4] Lilly E. Public Assessment Report National Procedure. MHRA [Internet]. 2024 Jan. Available from: https://mhraproducts4853.blob.core.windows.net/docs/4b9ec71ea34f3590ab7036310cc99378c3d7f59d
[5] Highlights of prescribing information [Internet]. Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2022/215866s000lbl.pdf
[6] Do Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro & Zepbound cause hair loss? [Internet]. Drugs.com. Available from: https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/ozempic-wegovy-mounjaro-cause-hair-loss-3575019/ozempic-wegovy-mounjaro-cause-hair-loss-3575019/
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