Does Saxenda Cause Hair Loss?

Weight-loss injections have become quite popular recently; people choose this option when they need additional help reducing body mass, along with more traditional solutions such as regulated nutrition and frequent gym training. One of the popular brands patients choose is Saxenda, which has been proven effective for weight reduction.

However, since this product is relatively new and its long-term use is still being studied, some unexpected concerns that have emerged along the way are now being discussed more often, including hair loss. Yes, sounds quite surprising, but some customers report that Saxenda affects hair health, so let’s dig deeper and reveal the truth. Does Saxenda really cause hair loss? What are the possible reasons for these statements? Is there a way to prevent this issue? We will discuss all the crucial details in this article, so follow along to educate yourself on this topic.

Is Hair Loss Among Serious Side Effects of Saxenda Treatment?

If we take a closer look at the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), hair loss is not listed as an adverse effect for Saxenda. However, the issue persists, as some patients report hair thinning or increased shedding after starting treatment. It is important to note that liraglutide lacks a proven pharmacological mechanism for hair loss.

Note: Saxenda (liraglutide 3.0 mg) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist widely used for long-term weight management in adults who suffer from obesity and weight-related health issues. To order Saxenda from Canada online, visit Insulin.Store and check the assortment.

When people are taking Saxenda, its active ingredient mimics the hormone GLP-1, which is made with a few primary goals in mind: insulin secretion increase, slower stomach emptying, suppressed glucagon release, and controlled appetite. All the above-mentioned points are achieved through central nervous system pathways, which have no direct effect on hair follicle health or the hair growth cycle.

However, there may be other reasons underlying the issue, such as significant caloric restriction or rapid weight loss, which may trigger telogen effluvium — a type of temporary hair shedding. The condition may develop when a large number of hair follicles enter the resting phase of a hair cycle simultaneously, leading to a prominent hair thinning several months later. Thus, we can’t say that Saxenda causes hair loss per se, but there are significant reasons to believe that its effects may contribute to such complications.

Is There Evidence of Saxenda Hair Loss?

Over 5000 participants were enrolled in pivotal clinical trials to evaluate Saxenda’s efficacy and safety, and hair loss wasn’t among the most common adverse reactions reported by patients. Top side effects included gastric symptoms, such as vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and constipation. Hair loss, on the other hand, was among the adverse events that occurred in ≥2% of participants. However, some reports suggest that a certain group of patients experiences hair loss after taking Saxenda.

That’s why we would like to remind you of the importance of distinguishing the cause from the factual issue. Yes, some people notice extreme hair shedding after Saxenda therapy, but it’s often related to the rapid weight loss rather than the drug itself. Of course, there are certain additional factors that should be remembered: personal or family history of alopecia, nutritional issues, physiological stress, and others. Nonetheless, after doctors prescribe Saxenda, they must stay in touch with their patients to monitor any unusual or warning symptoms, which is why communication is always crucial for a successful Saxenda course (or any weight-loss medication, to be honest).

How Is Hair Shedding Related to Weight Loss?

Telogen effluvium is one of the general forms of hair loss that is typically associated with Saxenda and other medications for weight management. The issue typically occurs 2 to 4 months after rapid weight loss or calorie restriction. Once it begins, hair follicles shift from the active growth phase to the resting phase, and patients may notice increased daily hair shedding when they brush or wash their hair.

Typically, several nutritional deficiencies can result in hair loss:

• Iron deficiency. Rapid weight loss may affect iron stores and cause anemia, especially in menstruating women, which eventually results in hair loss;
• Protein deficiency. Protein is crucial for proper keratin synthesis in the hair follicles, so a lack of it can negatively affect one’s hair growth ability;
• Zinc insufficiency. This micronutrient is vital to support hair health and cellular metabolism;
• Intake of essential fatty acids. We are talking about omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that support scalp health and hair structure, which is why a balanced diet is a must when it comes to hair health.

Physiological stress from rapid weight loss may also significantly impact telogen effluvium, despite the nutritional situation. The brain may receive a signal that rapid body mass reduction is dangerous and reallocate resources from unnecessary functions to more vital organ systems.

Contacting a specialist in advance is crucial to prevent chronic telogen effluvium, as it may be a rare body’s response to treatment.

What Can I Do to Prevent Hair Thinning While on Saxenda?

If you experience hair loss while on Saxenda (or other diabetic medications that can also help with weight management), it is crucial to dig into the drug interactions, learn more about safe drug combinations, and discuss all possible risks with a healthcare provider. Sometimes all adverse effects resolve after the body adjusts to the treatment, but more often, patients need additional help maintaining their hair’s thickness and volume.

First of all, nutritional optimization won’t hurt:

• Include iron-rich foods in your dietary plan, such as dark leafy greens and red meat, as well as rich vitamin C products to enhance iron absorption;
• Shellfish, meat, nuts, and seeds would be perfect zinc sources to gain all essential minerals;
• Patients treated with Saxenda also need omega-3 fatty acids that are present in oily fish, walnuts, and flaxseeds (those are perfect for supporting scalp health);
• Incorporate adequate protein to optimize nutritional status. It includes fish, lean meats, eggs, dairy products, etc. Patients who are at risk of experiencing kidney failure should discuss protein addition with a specialist to come up with a safe, low-calorie diet;
• B vitamins are often underestimated because biotin (B7) deficiency is quite rare, but still it’s a good idea to eliminate the risk factors that may impact healthy hair growth.

Before starting weight-loss injections that can be used together with diabetes medications (including Saxenda), it is highly recommended to perform all essential blood tests to see the metrics on serum ferritin (iron), full blood count, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and others. Afterwards, a guided supplementation may be prescribed.

More hair care practices of a gentle nature may also be helpful when it comes to hair loss. Avoid tight hairstyles, minimize heat styling, use sulfate-free shampoo, and be patient — the hair will eventually regrow, but this process demands some time and support from within.

The Bottom Line

Even though some patients report Saxenda hair loss, there is no real correlation between the product itself and the issue. However, the effect of the product may be the cause: rapid weight loss is a common signal to the brain about danger, and the most natural body’s response is to send all the support to more essential bodily functions, but hair growth is not one of them. Proper nutrition and hair care usually help, but sometimes patients may benefit from additional vitamins. We recommend discussing the issue with a specialist and having all essential blood tests to determine whether supplements are required.