Hair loss from Mounjaro is typically not a reaction to the medication itself, but rather an indication that your body is responding to fast weight loss. Once your health journey stabilizes, you can typically expect your hair to return to its full thickness by concentrating on sufficient nutrition.
Can Mounjaro cause hair loss?
It can, although generally in an indirect way.
Alopecia, or hair loss, was not a major side effect in the initial Mounjaro clinical trials for diabetes, but it has been more commonly noted in trials for its sister medication, Zepbound. (Zepbound is authorized for weight management and has tirzepatide as its active ingredient.)
Hair loss was observed by 5% to 6% of tirzepatide users in the SURMOUNT-1 clinical study, while only 1% of patients receiving a placebo (a treatment with no active medication) reported hair loss. This implies that a tiny portion of Mounjaro users may have hair loss as a side effect.
Telogen effluvium is the true offender
The majority of experts think that telogen effluvium is the cause of the hair loss linked to Mounjaro. This is a transitory form of hair shedding that occurs when a large stressor, like fast weight loss event a significant metabolic shift, shocks the body.
About 85% to 90% of your hair is in the "anagen" (growing) phase under typical circumstances. The body may prematurely force many hair follicles into the "telogen" (resting) phase when it experiences extreme physical stress. Those hairs suddenly fall out a few months later.
Does Mounjaro cause more hair loss in females than in males?
Note: The language of the sources we used is reflected in this article's use of binary terminology like "male" and "female" or "men" and "women." It is unclear whether participants with expansive gender identities were included in the studies we cite, unless otherwise stated.
Although telogen effluvium can affect anyone, clinical evidence points to certain variations in the reporting of hair loss:
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When taking Mounjaro or Zepbound, women seem to be more likely to experience hair loss. Up to 7.1% of female participants in certain weight-reduction studies reported experiencing hair loss. Hormonal sensitivity or the fact that women are more likely to notice and report changes in hair volume could be the cause of this greater occurrence.
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Male users of this medicine are known to experience hair loss much less frequently—typically less than 1% (and precisely 0.5% in Zepbound studies). Men may attribute thinning to androgenetic alopecia, a genetic male pattern baldness, rather than the medicine or weight loss, even though telogen effluvium can still occur in men.
How to avoid hair loss when receiving Mounjaro therapy
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Reducing the shock your body experiences as you lose weight is the best approach to protect your hair. Here are some helpful tactics:
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Make protein a priority: Keratin is the main protein that makes up hair. It is simple to run out of protein when Mounjaro's appetite-suppressive effects cause you to eat much less. Every day, try to consume at least 0.8 to 1 gram of protein per kilogram (kg) of body weight. (For comparison, one kilogram is equivalent to roughly 2.2 pounds [lb]).
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Aim for gradual weight loss: The likelihood of hair loss increases with the rate of weight loss. Your body will have more time to adjust if you work with your doctor to select a dose that enables a consistent loss of 1 to 2 pounds each week instead of 5 or more.
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Examine your micronutrient levels: For people using GLP-1 drugs, a daily multivitamin is typically advised to make sure you do not lack iron, zinc, or vitamin D—all of which are necessary for hair development.
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Control your stress: Hair loss is a result of physical stress, but it can be exacerbated by emotional stress. Your nervous system can be kept in balance by engaging in mindfulness exercises or mild physical activity.
How to prevent hair loss while using Mounjaro therapy
You might be asking how to stop shedding if you are already experiencing it with Mounjaro. The hairs you are losing now were really "activated" to fall out two to three months ago due to the way the hair growth cycle operates. Regretfully, hair loss cannot be stopped overnight. The biological clock of a hair follicle that is already in the shedding phase cannot be immediately reversed by a topical treatment or medication.
Nonetheless, there are a few things you may do to encourage the subsequent development cycle:
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See your physician: To help rule out other factors including thyroid problems or anemia, they can conduct blood tests.
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Take care of your hair gently by avoiding harsh chemical treatments, high heat, and tight haircuts that can further strain already delicate hair.
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Try minoxidil: To assist stimulate follicles, some doctors may suggest over-the-counter minoxidil (Rogaine). However, you should always speak with a healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment.
Will it grow back?
Yes, which is fantastic news. The condition known as telogen effluvium is transient. The hair follicles will gradually return to the growing phase after your weight stabilizes and your body adjusts to its new metabolic condition.
Within three to six months after shedding ceases, most people begin to notice "baby hairs" and increasing density. A chronic nutritional deficiency or another underlying health problem may be indicated if the shedding lasts longer than six months.
When to see a doctor
Even though shedding is normal following substantial weight loss, you should speak with a doctor if:
Your scalp is itchy, inflamed, red, or discolored; your hair loss is accompanied by intense weariness or brittle nails (signs of possible nutritional insufficiency); and you are losing hair in distinct, circular patches (which may indicate alopecia areata).
Disclaimer: SW Pharma has taken every precaution to ensure that all information is accurate, thorough, and current. However, the knowledge and skills of a licensed healthcare professional should not be replaced by this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak with your doctor or another healthcare provider. This information about drugs is subject to change and does not include all potential uses, instructions, warnings, precautions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or side effects. A drug's lack of warnings or other information does not guarantee that it is safe, effective, or suitable for all patients or all particular purposes.
