Can Wegovy Improve Liver Health? Side Benefits of GLP-1 Injections Explored

11 February, 2026  |  Holy Winter - Healthcare Writer

Can Wegovy Improve Liver Health? Side Benefits of GLP-1 Injections Explored

Wegovy & Fatty Liver (MASLD/MASH) — for UK Patients

How a weekly GLP-1 weight-loss injection may also help your liver

Also searched as: Wegovy UK, semaglutide UK, GLP-1 injection, medical weight loss, fatty liver treatment UK, MASH (formerly NASH), liver fibrosis, online weight loss clinic UK, BMI, insulin resistance, appetite suppression, weekly injection, Wegovy side effects, weight loss, cardiovascular risk reduction.

In a Hurry? TLDR 60-Second Version

If you’ve been told you have fatty liver - now called MASLD - or MASH (the more severe, inflammatory version), there’s promising news! A weekly weight-loss injection of Wegovy (semaglutide) may do more than help you lose weight in the long term.

In a major trial, Wegovy has been shown to also contribute to improving liver inflammation, reducing the risk of further inflammation and less scarring (1).

Why this matters: Fatty liver is common in the UK (about 1 in 5 people suffer from it). Around one in four adults live with chronic obesity (26.5% in 2023–24), with measured data showing 28.9% in 2022 (2,3), increasing the risk factor of developing fatty liver and other, connected, health problems.

In the UK, Wegovy is already licensed for weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction, but not yet approved for MASH. The official review is expected in November 2025 (4). For now, we know that losing 10–15% of your body weight; which Wegovy (and potentially other clinical weight loss treatments) can excellently support - remains one of the best ways to improve your overall liver health and a generally healthy lifestyle (5,6).

Understanding Fatty Liver Disease and Its Challenges

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects around one in four people in the UK and is closely linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic syndromes (7). NAFLD can progress silently from simple fat buildup to a more serious condition called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and even liver failure, particularly if your family has a medical history of such.

MASH can potentially lead to scarring of the liver (fibrosis), cirrhosis, as well as even liver cancer and/or complete liver failure.

There are currently no licensed treatments specifically approved for MASH in the UK, so making an early diagnosis and implementing adequate liver protection management is vital.

What is Semaglutide and How Does It Work?

Semaglutide (Wegovy) is part of a group of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists, commonly used as weight loss injections. It mimics a natural hormone that helps control appetite, making people feel full and thus supporting weight loss.

Originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, semaglutide has also been approved for weight management in adults with obesity in the UK (8). Beyond weight loss, some studies show semaglutide can reduce liver enzymes and lower inflammation; two important factors that contribute to prolonged liver damage (7).

What Do the Trials Show?

The ESSENCE trial, a large international study including UK participants, looked specifically at semaglutide’s effects on people with MASH and liver fibrosis. The results were promising. Nearly 63% of people taking semaglutide experienced MASH resolution without worsening fibrosis, compared to 34% in those taking a placebo. More than one-third showed improvement in liver fibrosis by at least one stage, compared with 22% in the placebo group (1).

Dr Robert Fontana, a hepatologist, explains: “Not only do you get liver benefits, but you also lose weight. People feel better about themselves when they lose weight – and they know they’re helping their liver” (9).

Other UK and international studies have shown semaglutide lowers ALT (a liver enzyme) and hsCRP (a marker of inflammation), supporting the idea that it can reduce the inflammation that causes liver scarring (7).

What This Means for Patients in the UK

Liver disease can develop quietly, without symptoms, until it is advanced. For many people, managing obesity, type 2 diabetes, and liver health together is challenging. Semaglutide offers a unique way to tackle these issues with one treatment.

Currently, Wegovy is licensed in the UK for weight management but not yet specifically for MASH.

However, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is reviewing the evidence, and approval for its use could come soon (4). It is important that patients only use Wegovy under the supervision of their healthcare professional and not for unlicensed purposes. iQ Doctor, as a registered UK pharmacist can legally prescribe Wegovy, Mounjaro and other GLP-1 weight loss medications to patients, as well as ensuring you are using them safely.

Looking to the Future of GLP-1 Medications and Fatty Liver Conditions

While the initial results are promising, further research is underway in the UK to confirm semaglutide’s benefits for liver disease. If these trials are successful, semaglutide could become one of the first licensed treatments for MASH (7).

iQ Doctor is a registered UK pharmacy that specialises in medical remedies for weight loss (including Wegovy and Mounjaro ), erectile dysfunction , hair loss support and much more. Whether you require over-the-counter relief, or prescription-only medication, the experts at iQ Doctor can assist. Please get in touch if you need any further advice.

Also, be sure to keep in touch with iQ Doctor via our social media channels as well as keeping up to date with us by signing up to the mailing list.

Disclaimer

This blog is for information only and does not replace medical advice that can be sought directly from your GP. Always follow your healthcare professional’s guidance when using medication.

Note: Using medication, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, outside of its approved use should only be done under specific, expert medical supervision.

References

  1. Sanyal AJ, et al. Phase 3 trial of semaglutide in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis with liver fibrosis. N Engl J Med. 2025 Apr 30. (ESSENCE Investigators).
  2. British Liver Trust. MASLD, NAFLD and fatty liver disease. British Liver Trust; 2025 [cited 2025 Sep 3]. Available from: https://britishlivertrust.org.uk
  3. Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID). Obesity profile: short statistical commentary, May 2025. GOV.UK; 2025 [cited 2025 Sep 3]. Available from: https://www.gov.uk
  4. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Drug appraisal: Wegovy in metabolic liver disease [Review expected November 2025].
  5. Glass LM, Dickson RC, Anderson JC, et al. Total body weight loss of ≥10% is associated with improved hepatic fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Dig Dis Sci. 2015;60(4):1024–30.
  6. Vilar-Gómez E, Martinez-Perez Y, Calzadilla-Bertot L, et al. Weight loss through lifestyle modification significantly reduces features of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Gastroenterology. 2015;149(2):367–78.e5.
  7. Newsome P, Francque S, Harrison S, Ratziu V, Van Gaal L, Calanna S, et al. Effect of semaglutide on liver enzymes and markers of inflammation in subjects with type 2 diabetes and/or obesity. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2019;50(2):193–203.
  8. Kommu S, Whitfield P. Semaglutide. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025.
  9. Bugos R. Expert commentary on semaglutide and liver health. 2025.

Written by:

Shah Jubair Hussain
Independent Prescribing Pharmacist (IPres, MPharm)

Reviewed By

Omar El-Gohary

Omar El-Gohary

The superintendent and lead pharmacist - registration number 2059792.

Omar is passionate about developing healthcare technology to empower our patients.

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