Season 8 Episode 6: Uncovering the Link Between Weight Loss Medications and Hair Loss

Evidence Based Hair

Welcome to the latest episode of the Evidence-Based Hair Podcast, hosted by Dr. Jeff Donovan, dermatologist and hair loss specialist. In this episode, Dr. Donovan delves into a fascinating study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, which explores the potential association between hair loss and the use of popular weight loss medications, such as semaglutide and terzepatide.

Dr. Donovan discusses the methodology and findings of the study, which utilized the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System to analyze reports of alopecia linked to these drugs. The episode highlights the importance of post-marketing research in uncovering side effects not initially apparent in clinical trials.

Join Dr. Donovan as he explains the statistical technique of disproportionality analysis used in the study, and its implications for understanding the potential hair loss risks associated with these medications. The episode also emphasizes the need for further research to better understand the timing, mechanism, and prevalence of hair loss among different patient groups.

Stay tuned for next week's episode, where Dr. Donovan will explore the effects of metformin on central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, based on a recent study in JAMA Dermatology. Thank you for tuning in and supporting the Evidence-Based Hair Podcast, dedicated to advancing education and research in the complex world of hair loss.

STUDIES REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE

Hannah Godfrey, Zachary Leibovit-Reiben, Patrick Jedlowski, Rebecca Thiede. Alopecia associated with the use of semaglutide and tirzepatide: A disproportionality analysis using the FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS) from 2022 to 2023. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol . 2024 Jun 24. doi: 10.1111/jdv.20197. Online ahead of print.