Orforglipron (Foundayo): MHRA-Approved August 2026

Last updated: 11 August 2026

UK first in Europe to authorise orforglipron (Foundayo)

On 10 August 2026, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) authorised orforglipron, marketed as Foundayo.

The decision makes the UK the first country in Europe to approve this GLP-1 tablet for both weight management and type 2 diabetes.

The marketing authorisation was granted to Eli Lilly following the MHRA's assessment of the medicine's safety, quality and effectiveness [1].

Julian Beach, MHRA Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access, said the regulator was pleased to be the first in Europe to authorise the tablet, and confirmed that, as with all GLP-1 receptor agonists, it is a prescription-only medicine that the MHRA will keep under close review for safety and effectiveness. [1]

What is orforglipron?

Orforglipron is a new tablet for weight loss. It is made by the pharmaceutical company Lilly, the manufacturer of the weight loss drug Mounjaro. In the USA, orforglipron is sold under the brand name Foundayo [1].

Unlike many other weight loss treatments, which are given as a weekly or daily injection, orforglipron is taken as a tablet once a day [1,2].

Who is it authorised for?

The MHRA has authorised orforglipron, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, for weight loss and weight maintenance in adults with [1]:

• a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above; or
• a BMI of between 27 and 30 with at least one weight-related health condition.

It is also authorised to improve blood sugar control (glycaemic control) in adults with type 2 diabetes that is not sufficiently controlled [1].

How does orforglipron work for weight loss?

Orforglipron is a type of medicine called a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It works in the same way as weight loss injections Mounjaro , Wegovy and Ozempic by mimicking the actions of the hormone GLP-1 in your body. GLP-1 plays a role in controlling hunger, digestion and blood glucose levels [1,2].

Orforglipron can help with weight loss by:

• Triggering receptors in your brain to reduce hunger and curb cravings (‘food noise’)
• Slowing stomach emptying, which keeps you feeling fuller for longer
• Stimulating the production of insulin, which can help keep your blood glucose levels stable

Like other GLP-1 medications, orforglipron needs to be combined with a healthy diet and exercise to achieve the best results [1].

What are the benefits of orforglipron?

If you struggle with obesity, orforglipron offers many health benefits, including:

• ·Effective weight loss without the need for surgery [3]
• Improved blood glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes [3]
• Cardiometabolic risk reduction: A reduced risk of obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke [3,5]
• Improved management of some weight-related conditions, like sleep apnoea and osteoporosis
• ·Improved self-esteem and a better quality of life

For many people, orforglipron has several benefits over GLP-1 injections, like Wegovy and Mounjaro, including:

• ·No need for weekly or daily injections: A daily pill is preferable to injections for many people.
• No food or water restrictions: Orforglipron is a small molecule compound, meaning it can be taken with or without food at any time of the day. This may make it more convenient than the Wegovy pill, which has to be taken in the morning on an empty stomach with a waiting time of 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking any other medicines.

How effective is orforglipron?

The ATTAIN-MAINTAIN trial concluded that orforglipron was effective in maintaining weight loss in people who had already lost weight with GLP-1 injections [5].

The safety and possible side effects of orforglipron were found to be similar to those of other GLP-1 receptor agonists [3]

The results of the phase 3 trials found that over 72 weeks, participants on the highest dose of orforglipron (36mg) lost an average of 11.2% of their starting body weight [3].

Other findings from the clinical trial include:

• 54.6% of participants lost 10% of their starting body weight [3]
• 36% of participants lost 15% of their starting body weight [3]
• 18% of participants lost 18% of their starting body weight [3]

Orforglipron and maintenance dosing post weight loss injections

One of the biggest challenges with injectable weight loss medications like tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and semaglutide (Wegovy) isn't losing the weight - it's keeping it off when you stop. A new trial published in Nature Medicine suggests switching to orforglipron could help [5].

The ATTAIN-MAINTAIN trial found that patients who switched from tirzepatide to orforglipron maintained around 75% of their prior weight loss after a year, versus 49% on placebo. Those coming off semaglutide fared even better - 79% maintenance compared to 38% on placebo. Blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar improvements were largely preserved too [5].

Unlike injectables, orforglipron requires no refrigeration and no injection - factors that could make long-term adherence much more realistic for many patients [5].

Who can take orforglipron?

• You are over 18 [1]
• You have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, or a BMI of 27 or above with at least one weight-related medical condition or certain BAME conditions
• You have tried other weight loss methods, such as a calorie-controlled diet and regular physical activity, without success

Who can’t take orforglipron?

Orforglipron tablets aren’t suitable for everyone. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any allergies or medical conditions you have, and any other medicines (including over-the-counter medicines and supplements) you are taking, before starting orforglipron.

Always read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine carefully before starting any new medication. Ask your GP or pharmacist if you have any questions.

Orforglipron is not suitable for you if you [6]:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have a personal or family history of a rare type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma
• Have a history of multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
• Have had inflammation of your pancreas (pancreatitis) in the past
• Have certain gastrointestinal diseases

How to take orforglipron

Always take any medicine exactly as your pharmacist tells you to.

Take your orforglipron tablet once a day at the same time. You can take it at any time of day with or without food or water.

You will usually start taking orforglipron at a low dose, which will be increased gradually over several months.

Orforglipron dosing schedule:

Treatment begins at 0.8 mg and is increased in steps to a maximum of 17.2 mg, with a minimum of one month at each dose level. This step-up approach helps your body adjust. [1]

Not everyone follows this dosing schedule. Your pharmacist will adjust your dose according to how you respond to your medication (how much weight you lose and whether you experience side effects) until they find the best maintenance dose for you.

Can orforglipron cause side effects?

Like all medicines, orforglipron can cause side effects in some people. Most side effects are mild and often improve as your body adjusts to the medication.

Common side effects of orforglipron include [1,3]:

• Nausea (feeling sick)
• Vomiting (being sick)
• ·Diarrhoea and/or constipation
• ·Indigestion, stomach pain, gas or bloating
• ·Headaches
• ·Fatigue (extreme tiredness that doesn’t improve with rest)
• ·Temporary hair loss

You can help manage any side effects by:

• Eating small amounts of plain food frequently throughout the day
• Getting enough sleep (seven to nine hours a night for most people)
• Drinking plenty of water to prevent dehydration (At least 1.5 to 2 litres per day, more if you have vomiting or diarrhoea)
• Gradually increasing your fibre intake and taking regular exercise to prevent constipation
• Taking over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol to treat headaches or stomach pain
• Taking a vitamin or supplement to help with issues like hair loss and fatigue.

Talk to your GP or pharmacist if you have side effects that are bothering you, getting worse or not getting better. You can also report a suspected side effect to the MHRA through the Yellow Card scheme, either on the Yellow Card website or through the MHRA Yellow Card app. [1]

When will orforglipron be available in the UK?

Based on the MHRA/GOV.UK release, there isn't a confirmed availability date. Here's what we know:

Orforglipron (Foundayo) was authorised by the MHRA on 10 August 2026, so it is approved for use in the UK now. However, it is a prescription-only medicine, meaning it can only be obtained from a registered pharmacy with a prescription from a prescriber, once the manufacturer (Eli Lilly) makes it available to supply. The MHRA release doesn't state a specific launch or on-shelf date [1].

It is also not currently available on the NHS. Any NHS availability will follow the usual process, including an evaluation by NICE, which typically takes some months after authorisation [1,7].

Buying orforglipron safely

All GLP-1 medicines, including orforglipron, are prescription-only medicines. This means they can only be supplied by a registered pharmacy with a prescription from a prescriber. The MHRA warns that buying GLP-1 medicines from unregulated sellers carries serious health risks, so always use a registered pharmacy and a legitimate prescriber. [1]

This article was written by Claudia Jackson RN Freelance Health Content Writer.

References

1. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. UK first in Europe to authorise orforglipron for weight management and type 2 diabetes. GOV.UK; 10 August 2026. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-first-in-europe-to-authorise-orforglipron-for-weight-management-and-type-2-diabetes
2. Santulli G. Orforglipron: a comprehensive review of an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Int J Mol Sci. 2026;27(3):1409. doi:10.3390/ijms27031409. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/3/1409
3. Wharton S, Aronne LJ, Stefanski A, et al; ATTAIN-1 Trial Investigators. Orforglipron, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity treatment. N Engl J Med. 2025;393(18):1796-1806. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2511774. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2511774
4. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. First GLP-1 tablet for weight loss approved in the UK. GOV.UK; 11 June 2026. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/first-glp-1-tablet-for-weight-loss-approved-in-the-uk
5. Aronne LJ, Horn DB, le Roux CW, et al. Orforglipron for maintenance of body weight reduction: the double-blind, randomized phase 3b ATTAIN-MAINTAIN trial. Nat Med. 2026;32(7):2679-2687. doi:10.1038/s41591-026-04386-7. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-026-04386-7
6. Eli Lilly and Company. Foundayo (orforglipron) tablets: US Prescribing Information. Indianapolis, IN: Eli Lilly; 2026. Available from: https://uspl.lilly.com/foundayo/foundayo.html
7. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Orforglipron for managing overweight and obesity [ID6516]. NICE; in development. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/indevelopment/gid-ta11650