Byetta and Hair Loss: What Users Say

• Ene...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 3, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started my Byetta experience in August of 2012, wearing a size 18/20 and standing at 5'2". Before April of 2013, I was wearing a size 14. I was feeling good, looking good, and energized! I had nausea, but it didn't last; it took two weeks to go away. I experienced the thinning of my hair and hair loss with a different texture, so I stopped Byetta because that was a No No for me to lose my hair. When I stopped the Byetta, I gained more weight than I lost, but my hair grew back and the texture was never the same again. But I tell you this: I choose Byetta over hair loss; I just wear a short pretty hairstyle. On Byetta, my A1C has gone from 8.4 to 6.9!"

• Ene...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 3, 2016

For Type 2 Diabetes "I started my Byetta experience in August of 2012, wearing a size 18/20 and standing at 5'2". Before April of 2013, I was wearing a size 14. I was feeling good, looking good, and energized! I had nausea, but it didn't last; it took two weeks to go away. I experienced the thinning of my hair and hair loss with a different texture, so I stopped Byetta because that was a No No for me to lose my hair. When I stopped the Byetta, I gained more weight than I lost, but my hair grew back and the texture was never the same again. But I tell you this: I choose Byetta over hair loss; I just wear a short pretty hairstyle. On Byetta, my A1C has gone from 8.4 to 6.9!"

• dra...
• June 14, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "I too am experiencing hair loss and want to know what to do about it. I had been taking 5 mcg of Byetta twice a day with only minimal side effects for about 3 months. Then the specialist recommended increasing to 10 mcg, and that is when I noticed the severe hair loss. I had been losing my hair before in small amounts, but after taking 10 mcg, it started really falling out in great clusters. Once I realized that it must be the Byetta, I stopped taking 10 mcg and have gone back to 5, but am still losing hair - not as much, but still happening. Does anybody know what I should try - I have read some other blogs, and this has been great because now I know I am not alone. I too have this dilemma - stop the Byetta and gain several stone or no hair?"

• brn...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 20, 2013

For Type 2 Diabetes "My A1C is in the normal range now, and I have lost 42 lbs. All my labs are great due to the weight loss. I have been on 10 mcg for over 2 years. My last A1C was so good last time, my doctor wants me to decrease to 5 mcg. I have been to several dermatologists over the last 2 years trying to figure out why I am having hair loss, unhealthy hair, and change in texture. I never wanted to attribute it to the Byetta, although the hair loss started a few months after I began taking it. I am now so desperate to stop the hair loss, I'm considering stopping the Byetta. I can't decide which would be worse - being bald or gaining back 42 pounds! I would really love to know if the person who recently posted had any hair regrowth after stopping Byetta."

• jbr...
• October 11, 2012

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was on Byetta from April 2010 until Aug 2012. My sugars were great, I lost weight, but my nails became thin and weak, my hair became brittle and balding. I am now 57. My doctor ran tests, my thyroid is fine. My skin is EXTREMELY dry. I read that there were complaints of hair loss - so I quit taking it (my Dr.'s suggestion). I only hope my hair will get healthier and COME BACK!"

• jbr...
• October 11, 2012

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was on Byetta from April 2010 until Aug 2012. My sugars were great, I lost weight, but my nails became thin and weak, my hair became brittle and balding. I am now 57. My doctor ran tests, my thyroid is fine. My skin is EXTREMELY dry. I read that there were complaints of hair loss - so I quit taking it (my Dr.'s suggestion). I only hope my hair will get healthier and COME BACK!"

• jbr...
• October 11, 2012

For Type 2 Diabetes "I was on Byetta from April 2010 until Aug 2012. My sugars were great, I lost weight, but my nails became thin and weak, my hair became brittle and balding. I am now 57. My doctor ran tests, my thyroid is fine. My skin is EXTREMELY dry. I read that there were complaints of hair loss - so I quit taking it (my Dr.'s suggestion). I only hope my hair will get healthier and COME BACK!"

• cha...
• November 5, 2009

For Type 2 Diabetes "I have been taking Byetta 5 for 2 weeks, and it's amazing. My levels went from 180s - 200s to 85 - 125. I think that's amazing, and it happened after 2 days of taking it. Also, I notice I'm a lot less hungry, but I don't know if I've lost weight yet, but I hope so. I don't seem to have any side effects right now, and I hope that continues. I'm supposed to go to the 10 in a couple more weeks, so I hope that goes well, or I might talk to the doctor about staying on 5. Some of the side effects to do with kidney damage and hair loss worry me, but I'll have to keep a close eye on that. Overall, I think this might be the miracle I've been searching for."

• Anonymous
• March 4, 2009

For Type 2 Diabetes "Controlled blood sugar fairly well, but I'm going bald using this medication. I know that others have noticed thinning hair while on it, but other medicines have not caused such dramatic hair loss."

• Anonymous
• March 4, 2009

For Type 2 Diabetes "Controlled blood sugar fairly well, but I'm going bald using this medication. I know that others have noticed thinning hair while on it, but other medicines have not caused such dramatic hair loss."