Foundayo (Orforglipron): The new GLP-1 tablet

Foundayo is a new, once-daily oral tablet which contains the active ingredient orforglipron. It is the second GLP-1 tablet to be approved in the US by the FDA after the Wegovy pill. In this guide you can find out all about Foundayo, what it is, how effective it is, its potential side effects and when it will be available.

Foundayo is the brand name for a non-peptide glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly in the ATTAIN global clinical trial program which began in 2023, enrolling over 4,500 people with obesity or overweight to trial the drug over 72 weeks. It contains the active ingredient orforglipron.

Since its approval in the US, Lilly has submitted orforglipron for weight management and/or type 2 diabetes in 40 countries and plans to launch in each country shortly after their approval. As an oral GLP-1 medication which is taken once a day, it could be an effective alternative to weekly weight loss injections such as Mounjaro and Wegovy.

As a non-peptide GLP-1, Foundayo (orforglipron) can be more easily absorbed by the body with or without food, you can take it any time of day without food or water restrictions. This makes it more flexible than existing GLP-1 tablets such as Rybelsus, which can only be taken on an empty stomach.

Orforglipron is a GLP-1 medication, meaning it works by mimicking the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1 that controls blood sugar levels, hunger, and digestion. Orforglipron makes the body think that the levels of GLP-1 are raised in the body, which leads to:

• slower digestion
• reduced feelings of hunger
• lower blood sugar levels

This can help to support weight loss as the reduced feelings of hunger and slower stomach emptying can help you to eat less and feel fuller for longer.

How effective is Foundayo?

In the ATTAIN clinical trial program, Foundayo (orforglipron) was proven to help people lose weight and keep it off over 72 weeks.

Results from phase 3 trials found that over 72 weeks, the highest 36mg orforglipron dose resulted in 11.2% average weight loss, with:

• 54.6% of people losing at least 10% of their starting body weight
• 36% of people losing at least 15% of their starting body weight
• 18% of people losing at least 20% of their starting body weight

Earlier phase 2 trials found that after 26 weeks, the average weight loss on Foundayo (orforglipron) was:

• 8.6% on the 12mg dose
• 11.2% on the 24mg dose
• 12.4% on the 36mg dose
• 12.6% on the 45mg dose

How long does Foundayo (orforglipron) last?

Foundayo (orforglipron) has a half-life of 25 to 68 hours. This means that it works to regulate blood sugar and appetite for over 24 hours, which is why it has been developed as a once-daily pill.

How long does Foundayo (orforglipron) take to work?

There is no set length of time for Foundayo (orforglipron) to start working. How quickly results can be seen can depend on a number of factors, including dosage, diet, and exercise. Most GLP-1 medications take a few weeks to start working before there is noticeable weight loss.

Foundayo (orforglipron) is designed as a tablet that you take once per day. Unlike other GLP-1 tablets, an advantage of Foundayo is that it can be taken with or without food, and at any time of day.

The USA Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved dosage schedule for Foundayo includes a starting dose of 0.8mg, then 2.5mg, 5.5mg, 9mg, 14.5mg, with 17.2mg as a maximum dose. These guidelines state that the dose can be increased after 30 days.

Phase 3 clinical trials are following a dosing schedule where the dose is increased every 4 weeks, similar to other GLP-1 medications.

In the trial, all participants began on a 1mg dose and then increased the dose every 4 weeks until they reached their specified maintenance dose of:

It is not known when exactly Foundayo (orforglipron) will be available in the UK, but it is possible that it will be available in 2026.

Since April 2026, Foundayo has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Eli Lilly has submitted orforglipron for the management of weight and/or type 2 diabetes in over 40 countries, planning to launch in each country shortly after, if approved.

In the UK, the medication must first be approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The exact timeline is unknown, but following approval, it is likely to be available privately first before the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) decides if it can be prescribed on the NHS.

As orforglipron is not currently available in the UK, any website claiming to prescribe or sell orforglipron is selling a counterfeit, unregulated, and potentially unsafe product. You should never buy unapproved medication online.

In clinical trials, most side effects reported were mild. Orforglipron side effects are similar to other GLP-1 medications, such as Wegovy or Mounjaro. The most commonly reported side effects were mild gastrointestinal ones, such as:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• diarrhoea
• being sick (vomiting)
• constipation
• heartburn, gas, belching
• swollen belly
• tiredness
• hair loss

Side effects usually occur during dose increases or at the start of treatment.

Clinical trial data found that serious side effects occurred in 3.8 to 5.5% of people and included:

• death
• mild pancreatitis
• abnormal bilirubin or alanine aminotransferase levels

What to do if you get orforglipron side effects

Most side effects of orforglipron are mild and can be treated easily at home. You can treat:

• nausea and vomiting by eating small, bland meals frequently, staying hydrated, and getting plenty of rest
• constipation by increasing fibre intake, drinking plenty of fluids, and exercising regularly
• diarrhoea by staying hydrated, avoiding certain foods like caffeine or alcohol, and eating bland foods

If you experience any serious side effects, such as severe stomach pain or vomiting with or without a fever, or if your side effects are severe or not going away, contact your doctor for advice. In an emergency, call 999 or get someone to take you to A&E.

It is too soon to tell if Foundayo (orforglipron) is better than other medications, such as Mounjaro (tirzepatide) or Wegovy (semaglutide), as research specifically comparing them is limited. There may be certain benefits of Foundayo for some people. For example, being a tablet rather than an injection may make it a better option for some.

Foundayo vs Mounjaro

Mounjaro is an effective treatment for weight loss and type 2 diabetes, with people losing an average of 22.5% of their body weight on the highest dose after 72 weeks.

So far, Foundayo has been found to help people lose 11.2% of their body weight in 72 weeks, showing that Mounjaro may be better for weight loss. However, because Foundayo is a daily tablet rather than a weekly injection, it may be more convenient for some people, especially anyone who has a fear of needles or does not want to self-inject their medication.

Both medications have similar side effects, but they contain different active ingredients and in different doses, making them difficult to compare.

Foundayo vs Wegovy

People taking Wegovy can lose an average 21% of their body weight after 72 weeks on the highest dose of 7.2mg weekly.

Wegovy currently has more long-term proven results, and current research shows that Foundayo has a lower average weight loss at the highest 35mg daily dose of 11.2% over 72 weeks. However, Foundayo may be better in other ways, as it is taken as a tablet instead of an injection.

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