Daijiworld Media Network- Washington

Washington, May 7: Once hailed primarily as a diabetes drug and later catapulted into stardom for its weight-loss benefits, Ozempic (semaglutide) could now play a potentially groundbreaking role in treating liver disease, according to a major new clinical study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Researchers have found that semaglutide significantly improved liver health in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) — a progressive form of fatty liver disease that currently has no approved medication.

Led by Dr Arun Sanyal (Virginia Commonwealth University, USA) and Dr Philip Newsome (King’s College London), the international team tracked more than 800 patients diagnosed with NASH and varying levels of liver fibrosis over 72 weeks.

Participants were randomly assigned to receive either weekly semaglutide injections or a placebo. The outcome was striking:

• 62.9% of those on semaglutide achieved complete NASH resolution (no signs of liver inflammation).

• Only 34.3% in the placebo group showed similar recovery.

• Significant improvement in liver fibrosis (scarring) was also recorded in 32.7% of patients on the drug versus 16.1% in the placebo group.

Researchers also noted notable weight loss in the semaglutide group — a factor strongly associated with better liver outcomes.

NASH, a severe form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), affects millions globally and is often silent until it progresses to cirrhosis or liver failure. Until now, doctors have relied solely on diet, exercise, and weight management to slow its progression.

With Ozempic demonstrating a dual benefit — reducing liver inflammation and promoting weight loss — this study could pave the way for the first pharmaceutical treatment for a disease that is quietly becoming a global health crisis.

Experts, however, caution against premature optimism. While the findings are encouraging, semaglutide is not yet approved for treating NASH. It remains officially sanctioned only for type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management.

The drug also carries potential side effects, including nausea, vomiting, digestive issues, and rare cases of pancreatitis or gallbladder complications. As such, self-prescription is strongly discouraged.

Liver specialists believe this is a watershed moment for NASH therapy, with regulatory approval likely to be sought in the near future. Until then, patients are advised to consult their physicians before considering Ozempic for liver health.