Health · Pharma & Biotech · 19 hrs ago
UCLA specialists outline how doctors can choose between two MASH drugs
The FDA has approved two drugs for MASH, a serious disease that causes inflammation and damage to the liver.
The drugs are resmetirom, a daily pill, and semaglutide, available as a daily pill or weekly shot.
Both are for adults with moderate to advanced liver scarring, called fibrosis.
MASH can progress to cirrhosis and liver failure, and it is a common reason for liver transplants.
UCLA Health specialists developed an algorithm to help doctors choose between the drugs, taking account of a patient’s other health issues, risks and preferences.
The drugs have been tested in separate phase 3 trials but have not been compared directly.
The review offers guidance as doctors begin using these treatments, which can slow or reverse liver damage before cirrhosis develops.
UCLA Health liver specialists helped develop an algorithm to guide doctors choosing between two FDA-approved drugs for adults with MASH and moderate to advanced fibrosis.
The review, published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences, says resmetirom and semaglutide work differently and may suit different patients.
Doctors can consider patients’ other health issues, risk factors and preferences when choosing a treatment.
Resmetirom is a daily pill, while semaglutide is available as a daily pill or a weekly shot.
The drugs can slow or potentially reverse liver damage before it leads to cirrhosis.
- Who
- UCLA Health liver specialists developed the treatment-selection algorithm.
- What
- The algorithm helps doctors choose between resmetirom and semaglutide for adults with MASH and moderate to advanced fibrosis.
- When
- The review was published by October 12, 2026. Resmetirom was approved in 2024.
- Where
- UCLA Health specialists contributed to the review; the article does not state where it was conducted.
- Why
- The drugs work differently, and a patient’s health issues, risk factors and preferences may favor one treatment over the other.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The FDA approved resmetirom.
The FDA had approved the first two medicines for adults with MASH and moderate to advanced fibrosis.
The review and treatment-selection algorithm had been published in Digestive Diseases and Sciences.
- Treatments
- Resmetirom and semaglutide
- Resmetirom
- Daily pill
- Semaglutide
- Daily pill or weekly shot
- Eligible patients
- Adults with MASH and moderate to advanced fibrosis
- Resmetirom approval
- 2024
What people are saying
We’re excited to have not one but two drugs that are available to our patients
Both are effective. But there may be nuances that favor one over the other in a particular patient
We thought writing this review would be helpful for fellow providers
Sources
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