People taking GLP-1 weight loss and diabetes medicines reported nail and hair changes far more often than people who had never taken them, according to two cross-sectional studies presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress in Vienna, which runs from 30 September to 3 October. Neither analysis has yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal. Researchers compared 575 people taking GLP-1 receptor agonists with 1,329 people who had type 2 diabetes, obesity or both and had never used the drugs, recruited in France, the United States, Brazil and Mexico. In the nail analysis, 39% of GLP-1 users reported nail detachment against 9% of the comparison group. Nail discolouration was reported by 46% against 17%, and 66% of users reported at least one nail disorder against 53%. A companion analysis of the same participants found 50% of users reported unusual hair loss, against 34% of controls.
What the researchers say the findings do not show
Both analyses were cross-sectional and relied on what participants said about themselves rather than on a dermatological examination, so neither can show that the medicines caused the changes. HCPLive reported that around half of the GLP-1 users described nail problems that had begun before they started treatment. Dr Charles Taïeb, one of the researchers, said: "Our findings show a clear association, but they also underline an important point: not everything that happens during GLP-1 treatment is necessarily caused by the treatment itself." Dr Bruno Halioua said the changes "are frequent, usually benign, and are not a reason to stop an effective treatment." The team said prospective studies using standardised examinations are planned.
What this means in practice
This is a finding about prescription-only weight loss and diabetes medicines, not about food supplements, and Perqen does not sell or advise on GLP-1 medicines. Neither analysis recruited in the UK, so the figures describe four other countries rather than UK patients. The MHRA asks anyone who suspects a side effect from a medicine, whether prescribed on the NHS or bought privately, to record it through its Yellow Card scheme, which is how UK safety signals are collected. For anyone reviewing what is already in a supplement routine for other reasons, current prices are on the full product catalogue.
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This article reports published news and research and is for information only. Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied diet or medical care, and no product mentioned is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Speak to your GP or pharmacist before changing what you take, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking prescribed medicines.