Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Primer for Pharmacists

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a condition that affects nearly a quarter of the U.S. population. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, the more severe form of NAFLD, is associated with an increased risk for cirrhosis and poor health outcomes. NAFLD is a common comorbidity in patients with type 2 diabetes and/or obesity, but it often remains undiagnosed. There are currently no FDA-approved medications for the treatment of NAFLD. Weight loss is the cornerstone of management through lifestyle interventions and the use of pharmacologic and/or surgical treatments to promote weight loss in appropriate patients. Research with select glucose-lowering medications is ongoing.