Weight loss medication can now be prescribed to patients battling a form of liver disease known as metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), according to new guidelines announced Tuesday. The drug, semaglutide, marketed under the brand name Wegovy, is an appetite suppressant approved to treat MASH in adults with moderate-to-advanced liver fibrosis. MASH develops when excess fat in the liver leads to inflammation and scarring. It is more commonly seen in individuals who are obese, have type 2 diabetes, or high levels of fat in their blood. "The available evidence indicates that semaglutide is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with MASH," said Julian Beach, Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access at the MHRA. "As with all GLP-1 receptor agonists, this is a prescription-only medication and should only be taken in consultation with a doctor."