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Picture Courtesy:  https://patient.gastro.org/nafld-nash/

Context: Rezdiffra from Madrigal Pharmaceuticals has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as the first treatment for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis.

Detail

• Rezdiffra is the first medicine approved in the United States for NASH, closing a major gap in treatment options for a disease that can cause lifelong liver damage and death.
• Rezdiffra, unlike past treatments, does not require a disruptive liver biopsy for patients to receive the medicine, potentially speeding up its acceptance. This accessibility removes a major barrier for both patients and healthcare providers.

About Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)

• Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an advanced form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) that causes inflammation and liver cell destruction, as well as fat accumulation in the liver (steatosis).
• Unlike simple fatty liver (steatosis), which may not cause major liver damage, NASH can lead to more serious disorders such as fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even liver cancer.
• NASH is linked to metabolic risk factors such as obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension. The specific cause of NASH is unknown; however, it is thought to be a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
• NASH is often managed with lifestyle changes such as weight loss, exercise, and dietary changes to promote metabolic health and reduce liver fat formation. In rare circumstances, drugs may be administered to help treat underlying metabolic disorders or to address specific elements of NASH, such as inflammation or fibrosis.

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