Orforglipron
No needles or storage conditions
Average 11% body weight loss over 72 weeks in phase 3 trials
Easy-to-take tablet which can be taken with or without food and water at any time of the day
Orforglipron tablets are a once-daily weight loss pill under the brand name Foundayo, the new product in weight management. While already available in the US, they’re pending approval in the UK, expected to arrive late 2026 to early 2027.
Every weight loss treatment with The Family Chemist includes free access to online nutrition coaching powered by Nutrable. Once your purchase is approved, you’ll receive your access code by email. You can also find your access code in your Family Chemist dashboard.
Important: Orforglipron is not yet available in the UK and not available for purchase.
Prices :
Coming Soon
Orforglipron price
At The Family Chemist, we strive to offer our customers affordable private care, regularly checking our prices against competitors to ensure you’re getting the best value for money.
How to use it
- Take 1 Orforglipron tablet daily
- Tablet can be taken with or without water.
- Do not split, chew or dissolve Orforglipron tablets.
- Do not keep the tablet in any other packaging than the one it came in.
- Tip: Orforglipron tablets can be taken at any time of day making them a flexible choice.
Your journey
starts here
More than medication. Our pharmacists provide expert support designed to help you succeed.
Start Free Consultation
Complete a quick, free online questionnaire.
Clinician Review
After you choose your preferred treatment, our clinicians will review your consultation.
Delivered to your door
Your medication is approved and delivered quickly in discreet packaging.
Access your coaching
Activate your access code in the Nutrable app to access personalised nutrition guidance and coaching features.
“This new GLP-1 tablet is a big shift in the world of weight management, it has the potential to transform how we are able to support people on their weight loss journey.”
Sunny Dhain – Clinical Director | MRPharmS | PGDip | GPhC registered pharmacist
What is Orforglipron?
Orforglipron, branded as Foundayo, is a once-daily GLP-1 tablet made by Eli Lilly, the company behind Mounjaro. Foundayo was approved by the FDA in the US on 1 April 2026, making it only the second oral GLP-1 weight loss treatment to reach approval anywhere, after the Wegovy tablet. It isn’t yet licensed in the UK and is currently going through MHRA review.
Orforglipron is a small-molecule, non-peptide compound, this allows it to survive the digestive process and be taken as a tablet rather than an injection. It acts on the GLP-1 receptor alone, Tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, works as a peptide injected once a week and acts on two hormone receptors, GLP-1 and GIP.
That chemical difference matters, earlier oral GLP-1 attempts struggled with poor absorption when swallowed. Orforglipron’s structure gets around this. Unlike the Wegovy tablet, it can be taken at any time of day with or without food or water, something we cover in more detail below.
How does Orforglipron work?
GLP-1 is a natural hormone released by your gut after eating. It sends signals between your gut, brain, and pancreas to suppress appetite, feel fuller for longer and keep blood sugar stable. Orforglipron mimicks these signals.
This means that Orforglipron can support weight loss by reducing hunger, cravings (including “food noise”) and slowing how quickly food leaves the stomach so you feel full for longer. This can help you feel satisfied on smaller portions and support blood sugar control through insulin release when sugar levels are high.
When combined with diet and exercise, these effects create a calorie deficit. These are the same core mechanisms that make Mounjaro and Wegovy effective; Mounjaro’s additional action on GIP receptors is thought to be part of why it tends to produce somewhat greater average weight loss in trials, which we look at below.
How much weight can you lose on Orforglipron?
Two main Phase 3 trials have looked at this directly.
- ATTAIN-1, in adults with obesity or individuals who were overweight but didn’t have type 2 diabetes, the study found participants on the highest dose lost an average of around 11% of their body weight over 72 weeks, compared with around 2% on placebo.
- ATTAIN-2, in adults with obesity or individuals were overweight with type 2 diabetes, found an average loss of around 10.5% on the highest dose over the same period.
For comparison, Mounjaro’s SURMOUNT-1 trial found an average loss of around 22.5% on its highest dose over 72 weeks, and the Wegovy tablet’s trial found around 13.6% over 64 weeks.
On the figures published so far, the injectable Mounjaro pen produces the greatest average weight loss of the three, with Orforglipron currently showing the most modest results. That said, how an individual will respond to the medication can vary a great deal, and a daily tablet may suit some people better than a weekly injection regardless of the average numbers.
average weight loss
11.2%
vs 2.1% placebo
10% weight loss or more
54.6%
vs 12.9% placebo
waist circumference reduction
10.1cm
vs 3.1cm placebo
Source: Wharton S, et al. N Engl J Med 2025; 393:1796-1806
Can Orforglipron be used after stopping Mounjaro or Wegovy?
In the ATTAIN-MAINTAIN trial, people who had already completed 72 weeks of treatment on injectable Mounjaro or Wegovy were switched onto either Orforglipron or a placebo for a further year.
Those who moved to Orforglipron maintained the weight they had already lost. The placebo group, however, regained a significant amount. This early research shows Orforglipron could work well as a maintenance option for people who want to come off injections but keep their results.
How does Orforglipron compare to Mounjaro and the Wegovy tablet?
Compared to Mounjaro
Both Orforglipron and Mounjaro are made by Eli Lilly, but Mounjaro is a weekly injection acting on GLP-1 and GIP receptors, while Orforglipron is a daily tablet acting on GLP-1 alone.
Mounjaro also has greater average weight loss but orforglipron may suit people who don’t want to take weekly injections, may struggle with self-injecting, or would prefer the flexibility the oral tablet can offer.
Compared to the Wegovy tablet
Wegovy tablets and Orforglipron are both oral GLP-1 medicines, but they’re built differently. The Wegovy tablet is peptide-based and must be taken on an empty stomach with only a small amount of water and a 30-minute gap before eating, drinking, or taking other oral medication.
Orforglipron’s non-peptide structure means none of those restrictions apply; it can be taken at any time of day, with or without food or water. In trials, the Wegovy tablet has shown somewhat higher average weight loss (around 13.6% over 64 weeks) than Orforglipron (around 11% over 72 weeks), but Orforglipron proved to be the more flexible tablet option when it comes to day to day life.
Weight Loss Treatment Comparison Table
| Wegovy Tablet | Foundayo | Mounjaro | Wegovy Injection | Mysimba | Orlistat | |
| Active Ingredient(s) | Semaglutide | Orforglipron | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide | Naltrexone & Bupropion | Orlistat |
| Mechanism | GLP-1 receptor agonist. Mimics fullness hormone to reduce appetite. | Oral, non-peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist. Reduces appetite and slows gastric emptying. | Dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist. Targets two hunger hormones simultaneously. | GLP-1 receptor agonist. Mimics fullness hormone to reduce. | Acts on brain regions controlling appetite and cravings | Blocks absorption of approximately one third of dietary fat |
| Administration | Once daily tablet | Once daily tablet | Once weekly injection | Once weekly injection | Twice daily tablet | Up to three times daily with meals |
| Average Weight Loss | ~17%-20% over 71 weeks | ~11% weight loss over 72 weeks | 15% to 22% over 72 weeks | About 21% | ~8.1% over 56 weeks | ~3% to 5% over 12 months |
| Loss of 20% or more | 29.7% of patients | Not reported | 63% of patients (15mg dose) | Semaglutide | Not reported | Not reported |
| Key Trial | OASIS 4 (NEJM 2025) | ATTAIN (2026) | SURMOUNT-1 (NEJM 2022) | STEP 1 Phase 3 Trial (2021) | COR programme trials | Multiple RCTs |
| NHS Availability | No (Private only) | Pending MHRA approved | Yes (NICE approved Dec 2024) | Yes (NICE approved May 2023) | No (private only) | Yes |
| Availability in UK | Now | Coming Soon | Now | Now | Now | Now |
| Approx. monthly cost | ~£110 to £220 | Coming Soon | ~£150 – £300 | ~£99-£279 | ~£60 to £80 | ~£30 to £50 |
| Needles needed | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Storage conditions | Store in original pack. | Store in original pack. | Store between 2-8°C. | Store between 2-8°C. | Store in original pack. | Store in original pack. |
| Suitable for | BMI 30+ or BMI 27+ with comorbidity | BMI 30+ or BMI 27+ with comorbidity (pending licence) | BMI 30+ or BMI 27+ with comorbidity | BMI 30+ or BMI 27+ with comorbidity | BMI 30+ or BMI 27+ with comorbidity | BMI 28+ |
Cross-trial comparisons should be interpreted with caution due to differences in study populations, trial design, and duration. Sources: OASIS 4 (Wharton et al, NEJM 2025), ATTAIN obesity programme (2026), SURMOUNT-1 (Jastreboff et al, NEJM 2022), COR programme trials, NICE TA875/TA664.
How is Orforglipron taken?
Orforglipron is a once-daily tablet, swallowed whole. Do not break, crush or chew the tablet as this will reduce its effectiveness.
It can be taken at any time of day, with or without food or water, so there’s no need to plan it around mealtimes the way you would with the Wegovy tablet.
The dose is increased gradually to help the body adjust and reduce side effects. The current FDA-approved US schedule is:
- 0.8mg once daily to start.
- 2.5mg once daily after at least 30 days.
- 5.5mg once daily after at least another 30 days.
- Further increases to 9mg, 14.5mg, and 17.2mg, each after at least 30 days, depending on response and tolerability.
17.2mg once daily is the maximum dose. The UK schedule, once Orforglipron is licensed here, may not be identical, so this should be checked against UK product information when it’s published.
Orforglipron side effects
Like other GLP-1 medicines, the side effects reported in trials are mostly related to the digestive system, which is expected as the drug slows how quickly food moves through the digestive tract and the stomach. The most commonly reported include:
- nausea
- indigestion
- constipation
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- bloating
- belching
- reflux
- abdominal pain
- flatulence
- headache
- fatigue
- hair loss (rare)
In clinical trials, side effects were more common at higher starting doses or when the dose was increased too quickly. This is why Orforglipron, like other weight loss injections and tablets, starts at a low dose and then increases gradually.
In the ATTAIN-1 trial, around 6 to 10% of people on higher doses stopped treatment because of digestive side effects, compared with around 4% on placebo. Most side effects were mild to moderate and tended to ease as people’s bodies adjusted.
Use this practical guide to help you manage common side effects during treatment.
| Side Effect | How to Help |
| Nausea | Eat smaller meals, avoid fatty or spicy food, take the tablet at the same time each day |
| Vomiting | Stay hydrated, use the oral rehydration sachets included in your support pack |
| Diarrhoea | Drink plenty of water, avoid high-fat meals, use rehydration sachets if needed |
| Constipation | Increase water intake and fibre, keep active |
| Stomach discomfort or pain | Eat slowly, avoid large meals, try peppermint tea |
| Headaches | Drink 1-2L water a day, rest, use paracetamol if needed |
| Dizziness | Rise slowly from sitting or lying, stay hydrated |
| Trapped wind/Increased flatulence | Eat slowly, avoid carbonated drinks and leafy vegetables |
| Bloating or indigestion | Eat smaller portions, avoid eating late at night |
| Reflux or heartburn | Avoid lying down after eating, limit caffeine and alcohol |
| Fatigue | Rest when needed, ensure adequate sleep and hydration |
| Hair loss | resolves with continued treatment and adequate nutrition. Multivitamins may help. |
If side effects feel serious, are getting worse, or aren’t settling, speak to a clinician.
How can I manage nausea?
If you can, avoid the following:
- Hot, fried, greasy or strong-smelling foods
- Eating too quickly
- Drinking a lot while eating
Instead try:
- Smaller portions of food
- Ginger tea and foods that contain ginger
- Regular sips of cold drinks
- Eating slowly and staying upright after finishing a meal
Tips:
- Distract yourself with something such as your favourite music, tv show, film or podcast
- Get fresh air by opening a window or spending time outside
How to store Orforglipron
Based on current US product information, Foundayo should be stored at room temperature, between 20°C and 25°C, kept in its original bottle/carton to protect it from light, with the cap replaced after each use.
UK storage guidance may be different once the drug is licensed here, so this should be checked against official UK product information when it becomes available.
When will Orforglipron be available in the UK?
Orforglipron isn’t available in the UK yet. It was approved in the US as Foundayo on 1 April 2026, and Eli Lilly has confirmed that they have submitted it for review in more than 40 countries, including the UK, where it’s now with the MHRA for review.
The MHRA can draw on assessments already carried out by trusted regulators like the FDA, which may speed up the process compared with a full review from scratch. Based on that and the precedent set by other GLP-1 approvals, a realistic estimate is late 2026 or early 2027, though this isn’t guaranteed.
Approval, launch, supply and pricing are separate steps, so even once the MHRA signs off, it may take time before Orforglipron is actually available to prescribe.
If you’re weighing up NHS versus private prescriptions, NHS access would likely take longer still, since NICE would need to assess whether Orforglipron offers good value for the NHS before it could be recommended for NHS prescribing.
How much will Orforglipron cost in the UK?
There’s no confirmed UK price yet, as the drug doesn’t have MHRA approval. In the US, Foundayo’s self-pay pricing starts at $149 a month for the lowest dose, rising to around $349 a month for many patients on higher doses. As a small-molecule tablet, it’s generally cheaper to manufacture than peptide-based injectables like Mounjaro and Wegovy, which could support more competitive UK pricing once it launches, but this is speculative until official pricing is confirmed.
Can I buy Orforglipron in the UK?
You can’t buy Orforglipron in the UK yet because it isn’t licensed here. Once approved, it will be a prescription-only medicine, meaning you’ll need a clinical consultation before it can be prescribed.
Be cautious of any website claiming to sell Orforglipron or Foundayo in the UK right now. A product that isn’t licensed here can’t legally be sold here, and buying weight loss medicines from unverified sources carries a real risk of receiving something fake, poor quality, or unsuitable that could cause you harm.
What weight loss treatments are currently available?
While Orforglipron makes its way through UK approval, these treatments are already available:
Sources
- FDA Approves First New Molecular Entity Under National Priority Voucher Program (2026) FDA [accessed 1st July 2026]
- FDA approves Foundayo (orforglipron), the only GLP-1 pill for weight loss that can be taken any time of day without food or water restrictions (2026) Eli Lilly Investor News [accessed 1st July 2026]
- Foundayo (orforglipron) prescribing information (2026) Eli Lilly [accessed 1st July 2026]
- Orforglipron, an Oral Small-Molecule GLP-1 Receptor Agonist for Obesity Treatment (2025) New England Journal of Medicine, 393:1796-1806 [accessed 1st July 2026]
- Orforglipron, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, for the treatment of obesity in people with type 2 diabetes (ATTAIN-2) (2025) The Lancet [accessed 1st July 2026]
- Daily Oral GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Orforglipron for Adults with Obesity (2023) New England Journal of Medicine, 389:877-888 [accessed 1st July 2026]
- A Master Protocol for Orforglipron in Participants With Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Obesity or Overweight (ATTAIN-OSA) (2025) ClinicalTrials.gov [accessed 1st July 2026]
Medically
reviewed by
Tannaz Sohrabi (MPharm, PGDip, IP, MRPharmS)
GPhC Number: 2225756
Last reviewed: 1st July 2026
Meet our
medical professionals
Aaliyah Nelson
Nutritional Coaching
BSc (Hons) Nutrition: 47988
Standards first
always
