Alopecia as an Emerging Adverse Effect Associated With Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1) Receptor Agonists for Weight Loss: A Scoping Review
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Alopecia has recently been reported as a potential emerging adverse effect associated with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), which are widely prescribed for weight loss. While gastrointestinal symptoms remain the most frequently documented adverse effects, an increasing number of reports describe hair loss events in patients treated with semaglutide, liraglutide, tirzepatide, and dulaglutide. This scoping review aimed to synthesize the available evidence regarding this potential association. A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Cochrane, and the Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS) database through May 24, 2025. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising randomized clinical trials, cohort studies, and pharmacovigilance analyses. Most studies lacked dermatological diagnostic confirmation, and only one described the clinical pattern of alopecia, identifying telogen effluvium and androgenetic alopecia as the most frequent subtypes. The findings suggest that GLP-1RAs may alter the hair follicle cycle. More than 1,000 spontaneous cases have been reported in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Although a causal relationship cannot be confirmed, the recurrence of cases across diverse settings signals a potential safety concern that warrants clinical attention. Awareness of this possible effect may improve therapeutic adherence and prevent unnecessary diagnostic interventions. Further dermatological research is needed to better characterize the frequency, temporality, and underlying mechanisms of GLP-1RA-associated alopecia.
Source: Cureus
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.90021
Authors: Ricardo Flaminio Rojas Lopez, Daniela Lynett Barrera, Maria Camila Amaya Muñoz, Maria Paula Saavedra Diaz
Language: English
Topic: Hair Growth and Disorders
Subfield: Urology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4413149757