Wegovy Shows Promising Results in Treating Severe Liver Disease, Doubles Inflammation Recovery Rate

By Dr. Marcus Chen, Ph.D.

May 6, 2025 at 02:38 PM

Hand holding Wegovy injection pen

Hand holding Wegovy injection pen

New clinical trial results show Wegovy (semaglutide) effectively treats severe liver disease, resolving inflammation in 65% of participants - double the rate of placebo treatment.

The phase 3 trial, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, studied 800 participants over 72 weeks. Key findings include:

  • 37% showed reduced liver fibrosis
  • 31% experienced both reduced fibrosis and resolved inflammation
  • Participants lost an average of 10% body weight
  • The drug improved cardiovascular health markers and blood sugar control

MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis) affects about 5% of U.S. adults and can lead to serious complications including cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. Until recently, treatment options were limited, with Rezdiffra (resmetirom) being the only FDA-approved medication.

Safety Profile:

  • 88% of participants maintained target dose
  • Similar rates of serious adverse events between Wegovy and placebo (13%)
  • Most common side effects were gastrointestinal: nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting

The study demonstrates Wegovy's potential as a comprehensive treatment for MASH and related conditions, including:

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Metabolic syndrome

The results suggest semaglutide could become a valuable tool in treating both liver disease and associated cardiometabolic conditions, offering a multi-targeted approach to treatment.

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