Orforglipron: The new GLP-1 Pill for Weight Loss

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.

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

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.

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.

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
• Improved blood glucose control in people with type 2 diabetes
• Cardiometabolic risk reduction: A reduced risk of obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke
• 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 highly effective in maintaining weight loss in people who had already lost weight with GLP-1 injections.

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

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.

Other findings from the clinical trial include:

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

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.

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.

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

Who can take orforglipron?

As orforglipron is not yet available in the UK, the guidelines about who can take it are not currently clear.

However, orforglipron may be a good option for you if:

• You are over 18
• 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:

• 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 doctor 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:

Not everyone follows this dosing schedule. Your doctor 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:

• 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.

When will orforglipron be available in the UK?

It isn’t yet clear when orforglipron will be available in the UK. The weight loss pill was approved in the USA to treat obesity, overweight with at least one weight-related health condition, and type 2 diabetes by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April 2026.

It is currently under review in the UK by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and is expected to be available privately in the UK in late 2026 or 2027.

Your questions answered:

Where can I buy orforgilpron?

Orforglipron is not yet available to buy in the UK, once it has been approved by the MHRA, it is expected to be available in the UK with a private prescription. Availability on the NHS is likely to take longer.

It’s worth noting that orforglipron is a prescription-only medicine and cannot be bought over the counter.

What are the alternatives to the orforglipron weight-loss pill?

There are many alternatives toorforglipron for weight loss, including following a calorie-controlled diet, over-the-counter medicines like Alli, prescription pills like Orlistat, weight loss injections such as Mounjaro and Wegovy, and bariatric (weight loss) surgery.

Another alternative that has only just been approved in the UK is the wegovy pill.

The best option for you depends on several factors, including what weight loss methods you have tried previously, the amount of weight you want to lose, any other health conditions you have, and your personal preference.

How long does orforglipron take to work?

How long orforglipron takes to work varies from person to person and depends on factors such as your dosage and lifestyle choices like following a healthy diet and taking regular exercise.

Many people begin to notice some effects, such as feeling less hungry and feeling fuller more quickly, within the first few weeks of treatment. You can expect to lose weight gradually over the next few months, with maximum weight loss typically taking several months to a year.

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

This article was medically reviewed by Umar Razzaq - Clinical Pharmacist at Pharmacy Online (GPhC: 2064448).

Sources & further reading

Orforglipron: A Comprehensive Review of an Oral Small-Molecule GLP-1 Receptor Agonist for Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes PubMed

Foundayo™ (orforglipron) Lilly

Orforglipron for managing overweight and obesity NICE

Orforglipron Pill Sustains Weight Loss After Injection Discontinuation EMJ