Semaglutide gets MHRA approval to treat liver disease

Getty/Douglas Cliff

By Sarah Lowden

Semaglutide injections have been approved to treat metabolic-associated steatohepatitis in adults with moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said there is enough evidence that the GLP-1 receptor agonist, which is already in use for weight management and cardiovascular disease, is a safe and effective treatment for patients with metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

It has been approved on the condition that further results from an ongoing study are submitted to the regulator.

The starting dose of 0.25 mg once weekly is increased to doses of 0.5mg, 1mg, 1.7mg, with four weeks on each dose, up to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg once weekly.

For patients with a BMI over 30, the dose can be increased to 7.2 mg once weekly after a minimum of 4 weeks on the 2.4 mg dose.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is currently assessing whether to approve use of the drug for MASH on the NHS.