Can Mounjaro cause hair loss? This is the truth about it

People may experience some side effects while taking Mounjaro, a prescription drug that helps you manage your type 2 diabetes and weight. Some people may get nauseous, while others may have problems with bowel movements. Nausea and constipation are not the only side effects of this antidiabetic and weight loss medication. You may also experience hair loss while trying to lose weight or treat diabetes. Yes, this medication is injected once a week under the skin of your stomach, upper arms, or thighs, and can affect your hair. Can I stop Mounjaro hair removal? Let’s look into it.

What is Mounjaro?

Tilzepatide is a drug sold under a variety of brands, including Munjaro. This is an injectable prescription drug developed by American pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. “It has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to manage type 2 diabetes, but it has also attracted attention for its off-label use in helping with weight loss,” says Dr. Ratnesh Jeno, a surgeon with experience in bariatric surgery.

It belongs to a class of drugs known as dual agonists because it activates two hormone receptors in the body, GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). “These intestinal hormones regulate appetite, blood glucose and metabolism,” experts say.

What are the side effects of Mounjaro?

Like all medications, this prescribed drug also has some side effects. A study published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society shows that the common things are nausea, indigestion, reduced appetite, diarrhea and constipation. “These effects that users often report will tend to subside as the body adapts to injectable medications,” says Dr. Genneau.

Mounjaro Hair Removal: How does it affect your hair?

People, including celebrity Sofia Umansky, recently shared that they faced Munjaro hair loss due to rapid weight loss using medication. A study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Sermatology shows that tilzepatide can disrupt the normal hair follicle cycle, leading to conditions such as terogenic drainage (temporary hair loss) and androgenic alopecia (a common form of hair loss).

“Yes, some people report hair loss in murjaro while they are taking it, but the drug itself is not usually a direct cause,” says aesthetic doctor and hairdresser Dr. Karuna Malhotra. It is designed to help you lose weight, and when someone loses weight quickly, the body experiences stress. “This stress can lead to a condition called more hair falling out than usual,” explains the hairdresser.

Fortunately, it is a temporary response caused by sudden changes in the body, such as hormone shifts, calorie restriction, and lack of key nutrients such as protein, iron, and vitamins. All of these can contribute to thinning and falling off hair. The hair follicles are in the rest stage and after a few months the shedding becomes noticeable. “So it’s not the weight loss pills that are attacking your hair, but the changes it causes while losing weight,” says Dr. Malhotra.

How to stop hair removal from Mounjaro?

Try the following if Munjaro hair removal is a concern for you, especially during periods of rapid weight loss.

1. Eat plenty of protein every day

Your clusters are almost entirely made of a protein called keratin. If your diet does not contain enough of this nutrient, your body may save it for important organs and “stop” hair growth. A study published in Harvard Health Publishing shows that the recommended dietary allowance for this nutrient is only 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. “So we start making protein-rich foods like eggs, lean meat, lentils, cottage cheese, quinoa and tofu to stop the hair loss of munjaro,” suggests Dr. Genoe.

2. Take high quality multivitamins

“A calorie-restricted diet can reduce the amount of key nutrients needed for hair growth. Deficiencies in iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, biotin and zinc are known to cause or exacerbate hair loss,” says Dr. Malhotra. Enjoy a comprehensive multivitamin containing these nutrients. Alternatively, ask your doctor to check your level and recommend supplements accordingly.

3. Avoid the crash diet

Taking weight loss pills with a crashed diet can lead to sudden and rapid weight loss, which can lead to telogen drainage, a stress response in which the hair enters the early stage of shedding. “We aim to lose 1-2 pounds a week to support both long-term success and hair retention,” says Dr. Malhotra.

4. Use gentle and nourishing hair products

Whether you are taking weight loss pills or not, harsh shampoos containing sulfates and alcohol tend to stimulate the scalp, dry the hair shaft, and make the hair brittle and destroy it. Switch to a sulfate-free shampoo and a conditioner concentrated with ingredients such as biotin, keratin, argan oil, and aloe vera.

5. Reduces stress

Stress can increase levels of cortisol, a hormone that destroys the hair growth cycle and increases shedding. To stop Mounjaro’s hair removal and mental health improvements, practice daily stress relief efforts. You can do yoga, meditate, and spend time in nature.

6. Massage the scalp

Scalp massage can make you feel relaxed and increase the circulation of the hair follicles. This provides oxygen and nutrients. “This can promote hair growth and reduce inflammation,” says Dr. Malhotra. Choose oils such as rosemary, casters, coconut, or argan oil, then warm them slightly and gently massage the scalp 2-3 times a week.

7. Keeps you hydrated well

All cells in your body, including the cells that cause hair growth, require water to function in the proper way. Dehydration can slow down the process of cells, leading to dull and brittle hair, and if you are losing weight rapidly with the help of medication, it can even lead to munjaro hair loss. To avoid this, drink 8-10 glasses of water a day, but more if you’re physically active.

These small changes can protect your hair and keep you healthy while on your weight loss journey. There’s no need to worry about Mounjaro hair removal.