Orforglipron (brand name Foundayo) is a once-daily oral GLP-1 receptor agonist approved in the United States for weight management (1). It is not yet available in the UK, but regulatory review by the MHRA is expected and approval could follow in 2026.
Unlike existing GLP-1 injections such as Wegovy, Foundayo is taken as a tablet, offering a new option for people who would prefer not to use weekly injections.
Here is everything we know about Orforglipron so far and what it could mean for you.
Visit our weight loss tablets page to explore the options currently available in the UK. Or you can explore our range of weight loss injections, like Mounjaro and Wegovy.
In this article:
What is Orforglipron (Foundayo)?
How does Foundayo work?
How is Foundayo taken?
What strengths does Foundayo come in?
What are the side effects of Foundayo?
How effective is Foundayo for weight loss?
Who might orforglipron be right for?
Who cannot take Foundayo?
What does all this mean for patients?
What is Orforglipron (Foundayo)?
Orforglipron (pronounced or-FOR-gli-pron) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, the same type of medicine as semaglutide (Wegovy). These treatments mimic a natural hormone called GLP-1 that helps regulate appetite, insulin, and blood sugar (2).
Orforglipron is the active medicine, while Foundayo is the brand name of the once-daily tablet it is supplied in. Because it works through the same appetite-regulating pathway as injectable GLP-1 medicines, it offers a similar treatment approach in tablet form.
How does Foundayo work?
Foundayo activates GLP-1 receptors found in your gut and brain.
This (2):
Slows digestion by keeping food in the stomach for longer
Reduces the reward associated with eating
Influences the brain regions involved in appetite regulation
Together, these effects suppress your appetite and reduce your calorie intake, supporting gradual weight loss, especially when combined with a healthy diet and exercise (2).
Other oral GLP-1 medicines, including tablet forms of semaglutide (the “Wegovy pill”), that work in the same way are also being studied for weight management (3). Like Foundayo, oral Wegovy has been approved in the US but it is not yet available in the UK.
How is Foundayo taken?
Foundayo is taken once daily and can:
Be taken at any time of day
Be taken with or without food
Be taken without water restrictions
By comparison, the semaglutide tablets pending UK regulatory approval must be taken on an empty stomach with water and require waiting before eating or drinking. Foundayo does not have these restrictions, which may make it easier to take consistently day-to-day.
What strengths does Foundayo come in?
Foundayo is available in several different strengths:
0.8mg once daily
1.6mg once daily
3mg once daily
6mg once daily
12mg once daily
17.2mg once daily
Treatment starts with the lowest strength and increases gradually over time. This is the same as that used with Mounjaro and Wegovy, and helps your body adjust to the medicine.
Each step lasts at least 30 days before moving up a dose, depending on how well treatment is tolerated and how your weight responds (4). Not everyone needs to reach the highest dose. Many people stay on a lower strength once they find a dose that works well for them.
What are the side effects of Foundayo?
Most people tolerate treatment with orforglipron well. But similar to other GLP-1 medicines, digestive side effects are common, occurring in around 60% to 69% of people (5). These include:
Nausea
Diarrhoea
Constipation
Reduced appetite
Vomiting
Headaches and fatigue are also common, but like digestive symptoms, they are usually mild to moderate and often improve as your body adjusts to treatment. Starting at a low dose and increasing gradually helps reduce the risk.
Some more serious side but rare side effects, including pancreatic, kidney problems, and severe allergic reactions are also possible.
Explore our weight loss tablets page to find out which options are currently available in the UK.
How effective is Foundayo for weight loss?
Orforglipron has shown clinically meaningful weight loss in large clinical studies. In the ATTAIN-1 trial, people taking the highest investigational dose achieved (6):
12.4% average body weight loss over 72 weeks
55% lost at least 10% of their starting weight
18% lost at least 20% of their starting weight
These results were seen at a 36mg investigational dose, higher than the 17.2mg maximum approved in the US (1). Because of this, the average weight loss in real-world treatment may be slightly lower than the highest trial results.
It’s important to remember that clinical trial results are based on controlled study conditions. In real life, some people lose less weight, while others lose more.
Who might orforglipron be right for?
Because it is taken as a tablet rather than an injection, orforglipron may be especially suitable for:
People who would prefer a non-injectable GLP-1 treatment
Those looking for a simpler long-term treatment option
Anyone with a needle phobia or preference for oral medic
Like other GLP-1 weight-loss treatments, orforglipron would be a prescription-only medicine if approved in the UK. This means a clinician would need to confirm it is suitable for you, usually based on your BMI and any weight-related health conditions.
Based on current approval in the United States and prescribing criteria for treatments such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, eligibility in the UK would likely be similar and include adults with:
a BMI of 30 or above (obesity), or
a BMI of 27 or above with at least one weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, or abnormal cholesterol levels
Final eligibility will depend on how the medicine is licensed in the UK.
Who cannot take Foundayo?
If approved in the UK, Foundayo won’t be available to everyone. It would not usually be recommended if you:
Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or
Have a rare condition called multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2).
Are pregnant, planning to get pregnant, or breastfeeding
Extra review may also be needed for people with a history of pancreatitis or certain digestive conditions. Because Foundayo can affect how medicines are absorbed during dose increases, people taking the oral contraceptive pill are usually advised to use additional contraception for a short period after starting treatment and after each dose step.
What does all this mean for patients?
Foundayo represents an important step towards tablet-based GLP-1 treatment. For people who would prefer not to inject medication, it may make weight-loss treatment easier to start and continue.
If approved, it may offer another flexible option for long-term weight management, particularly for people who feel anxious about needles or have a busy routine. In the meantime, established treatments such as Wegovy and Mounjaro are already available following an online clinical assessment at Oxford Online Pharmacy.
Visit our weight loss tablets page to explore the options currently available in the UK.
References
FDA approves Lilly’s FoundayoTM (orforglipron), the only GLP-1 pill for weight loss that can be taken any time of day without food or water restrictions | Eli Lilly and Company [Internet]. Eli Lilly and Company. 2025.
Collins L, Costello RA. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists [Internet]. PubMed. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024.
Wharton S, Ildiko Lingvay, Bogdanski P, Duque R, Jacob S, Karlsson T, et al. Oral Semaglutide at a Dose of 25 mg in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine. 2025 Sep 17;393(11):1077–87.
What is the approved dosing for FoundayoTM (orforglipron) for weight management? [Internet]. Eli Lilly and Company.
Wharton S, Aronne LJ, Stefanski A, Alfaris NF, Ciudin A, Yokote K, et al. Orforglipron, an Oral Small-Molecule GLP-1 Receptor Agonist for Obesity Treatment. New England Journal of Medicine. 2025 Sep 16;
Eli Lilly and Company. Foundayo – orforglipron tablet, film coated. Eli Lilly nd Company [Intenet] 2026