The Wegovy Pill Makes Your Hair Fall Out
Posted on July 31, 2026 by Sally-Anne Turner
Myths Debunked
When you start your weight loss journey, or when you begin thinking about the process, you will have gone online.
You will have typed in the name of the medication you have heard of, and you will start to see things pop up. Most will be medical articles. And then there's that one article that mentions the medication you want to take and an intense side-effect that sounds awful. So, you turn away from a treatment that could have helped you to reach your ideal weight.
Shockingly, not all information online relating to GLP-1s is accurate. With Ozempic, the most common myth was that "Ozempic face" was toxic to the skin. And with the newly released Wegovy pill, the most popular piece of misinformation you will see online is that it makes your hair fall out.
It's normal to worry about Wegovy side effects, or to not know what the truth is and what is a myth. At the Bodyline Clinic, we have over 18 years of helping people with their weight loss journeys and we know all there is to know about all of the GLP-1s in the UK. Our team has helped over 100,000 people across the UK with weight loss support as well as helping them choose the right medications.
Here, we walk you through the facts, the myths and how our team can help you choose the right treatment for you.
Myth: It Makes Your Hair Fall Out
You may have read online that many people who have been taking GLP-1s have noted that their hair begins to fall out. Even certain celebrities have been on the internet talking about how after they started injectable weight loss medications, their hair began to become thinner.
Is this something to expect long-term with this treatment? Or is it a misunderstanding?
Fact
Is oral semaglutide a cause of hair loss? In a word, no.
What can happen when a person starts to take oral (or injectable) weight loss medication is that they begin to experience metabolic stress. Secondly, there is a condition called telogen effluvium. This is caused by rapid weight loss and low-calorie intake, which can put the body into a state of shock. As a result, the hair follicles go into a premature resting and shedding phase. The hair shedding usually happens around two to four months after the initial stress, which is why this is reported quite a bit after many people start taking any GLP-1 medicine.
The good news? It's temporary and as your body adjusts to the medication and the new foods, the hair loss will stop.
Of course, if you experience extreme hair loss after taking GLP-1s, talk to your prescriber.
Myth: The Pill Causes Worse Side Effects than the Injection
It's understandable to see why people taking oral semaglutide may think this. You swallow the pill; it enters your blood via the stomach and is a higher dose than the injections. So, it makes sense that the side effects would be worse, right?
Fact
Semaglutide, the core ingredient in both forms of Wegovy, is known to create side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea and constipation. However, studies have found that when looking at the injection versus the pill, there is no notable severity difference based on the route of administering this drug.
The reason for the higher dose with the oral medication is due to stomach acid. As the pill hits the stomach, most of it will break down before it has the chance to be absorbed. For the oral option to be effective, it has to have a higher concentration of semaglutide per pill.
Remember, when taking the Wegovy pill, you will likely experience worsening of gastrointestinal issues with titration of the doses (as they increase) or just after starting. If you find it hard to manage these side effects, please talk to your prescriber.
Myth: It Works without Diet or Exercise
The day a pill or medication is released that results in weight loss without diet or exercise is going to be one of the biggest days in medical history. For now, such a pill or injection does not exist and this myth is likely due to wishful thinking, or confusion about how GLP-1s work.
Fact
When you start on this oral semaglutide, you will need to increase your exercise and change your diet. According to Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company behind this pill, after 64 weeks of diet and exercise alongside this medication, you will have a higher chance of losing weight successfully.
Yes, there are no "official" guidelines on the best diet for when you take Wegovy. Fret not though, as our team at the Bodyline Clinic wrote a piece on the best diet for weight loss when taking oral Wegovy to maximise the chances of its effectiveness. Another good thing about trying this medication with us is that we will work with you and offer you tips for weight loss, based on your personal needs, using diet and exercise guidance.
Myth: You Can Crush, Chew, or Split the Tablet
We've all been there. You take a large tablet. It's hard to swallow. So, you chew it.
This seems logical but with GLP-1s, it can stop the entire process from working as needed.
Fact
For this tablet to reach the bloodstream via the stomach, an additional ingredient was added. Called salcaprozate sodium, or SNAC, it creates a higher pH in your stomach, minimising stomach acid. This protects the outer shell of the tablet from breaking down, while also making the stomach lining more sponge-like. This allows the semaglutide to get into your bloodstream and to begin helping you to lose weight.
If you chew the pill or break it, the SNAC barrier doesn't work. However, we understand that for many people, pills can be hard to take. For this, we recommend talking to your prescriber or talking to our team at the Bodyline Clinic about different options.
Myth: You Take it Like Any Other Morning Vitamin
You take the Wegovy pill in the morning so surely you can take it alongside your multivitamins? In a word, no — and this misunderstanding is thought to be a core reason why it may not work for many people.
Fact
For this medication to work, you need to take it after at least 8 hours of fasting.
You take the pill with under 120ml of water, wait 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking any other medication and then go about your day. We have an article on the Sip and Go technique associated with this pill and how you can fit it into your daily routine, so feel free to check that out.
Remember, this is not a routine you can alter. If you do, then your Wegovy treatment for weight loss is less likely to be effective.
Concerned About Weight Loss? We Can Help
Are you worried about side effects of weight loss medications?
Our clinical team at the Bodyline Clinic will take the time to work with you as an individual, personalising your journey. We know no two people are the same and we use our 18 years of clinical experience to make the process of losing weight as easy as possible.
If you want to learn more about our complex care options, or what we offer overall, please contact us today. You can even book an online consultation.
FAQs
Does the Wegovy Pill Make Your Hair Fall Out?
No. When you start taking oral or injectable weight loss medication, you may begin to experience metabolic stress or telogen effluvium (hair loss caused by weight loss). This stress can push your hair follicles into a premature resting and shedding phase. So, you may temporarily experience thinning hair.
Are the Side Effects of the Wegovy Pill Worse than the Injections?
No, they aren't. Both the injection and the pill cause similar side effects, related to the gastrointestinal tract. You may experience constipation, nausea and diarrhoea. This is normal and is linked to increasing the dosages of the pill or starting the medication.
What Lifestyle Changes Help the Pill to Work?
It is recommended that you follow a high protein, balanced diet to help this pill work as intended. It is also advised that you increase your exercise.
Why Can't You Chew the Pill?
This medication is designed to break down stomach acid and help the stomach lining to become more permeable. The Wegovy pill has an external coating which allows for this. If you chew it or break it, it won't work and less of the semaglutide will enter your bloodstream.
How Do You Take the Pill in the Morning?
When taking the Wegovy pill, you need to wait for at least 8 hours after eating or drinking. You swallow the pill with under 120ml of water and wait for 30 minutes before drinking anything else, eating or taking other medications. Hence, "Sip and Go!" If you don't adhere to this, then the medication is less likely to work.
