A more flexible oral option for weight management has been approved in the UK
Foundayo (orforglipron) is a once-daily GLP-1 tablet for weight management. Unlike existing oral GLP-1 medicines, it can be taken at any time of day, without needing to plan around food or drink, making it a more flexible option for some people.
It is the second oral GLP-1 treatment approved for weight management in the UK since May 2026, adding another choice alongside injectable treatments such as Wegovy and Mounjaro. Foundayo works by targeting the GLP-1 receptor, which helps regulate appetite and food intake.
Foundayo may provide another option for people starting medicated weight management, as well as potentially supporting longer-term weight management. The most suitable treatment will depend on factors including your health, weight-management goals, medical history, lifestyle and personal preferences.
At Genwell, we believe weight care should be personalised rather than built around a single medication. Having another treatment available gives doctors and patients more choice when deciding what is most appropriate at different stages of care.
Read on to find out how Foundayo works, who it may be suitable for, how it compares with injectable treatments and what you need to know before taking it.
Foundayo: headline facts
- Active ingredient: Orforglipron
- Medication class: Non-peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist
- Doses: 0.8mg, 2.5mg, 5.5mg, 9mg, 14.5mg & 17.2mg
- MHRA approval: 10 August 2026
- Manufacturer: Eli Lilly
- UK availability: stocks expected in the coming months
Who is it licensed for?
- Adults with a BMI of 30 kg/m² or above
- Adults with a BMI between 27 and 30 kg/m² who have at least one weight-related health condition
At Genwell, we extend our support further to adults seeking weight loss with a BMI of 25 or above who have at least one weight-related health condition, or who have been unable to achieve meaningful weight loss through other approaches.
Average weight loss?*
In trials comparing different doses of Foundayo, an average of 11.2% weight loss was seen over 72 weeks1.
How is it taken?
One tablet daily with or without food.
How does Foundayo work?
Foundayo is the brand name for orforglipron, an oral medication that mimics a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is released from the gut after eating. GLP-1 plays an important role in regulating:
- Hunger
- Fullness and satiety
- Blood sugar levels
- Food cravings
- Gastric (stomach) emptying
Naturally occurring GLP-1 is short-acting, but medications such as Foundayo amplify these signals for much longer. By enhancing these natural signals, GLP-1 medications help you feel fuller for longer, reducing appetite and often decreasing what many patients describe as “food noise” - the constant thoughts about food, eating and snacking that can make weight loss incredibly difficult.
Most people find GLP-1 medications allow them to feel more in control of their appetite, such that they eat smaller portions, feel satisfied sooner and have less desire to snack between meals.
We are constantly discovering benefits of GLP-1 medications that extend beyond weight loss, including improvements in glucose reduction and evidence of cardiovascular and kidney protection, some of which appear to occur independently of the amount of weight lost.
How is Foundayo different from the Wegovy pill?
Foundayo is the first oral, non-peptide medication to activate the GLP-1 receptor. This is an important difference as compared to oral Wegovy (semaglutide, the only other oral GLP-1 currently approved for weight management.)
Semaglutide is a peptide made up of amino acids, which means it would normally be broken down in the stomach and is difficult for the body to absorb. Oral Wegovy therefore combines semaglutide with an absorption-enhancing ingredient that helps enough of the medication reach the bloodstream. To support absorption, it needs to be taken first thing in the morning with a small amount of water, followed by a 30-minute wait before eating, drinking or taking other tablets.
Foundayo works differently. Orforglipron is a small, non-peptide molecule that can be absorbed without the same restrictions. It can be taken at any time of day, with or without food, and without needing to wait before taking other medicines.
For patients, that means greater flexibility and fewer rules around when to take their medication, which may make it easier to fit treatment into everyday life.
Why might you choose Foundayo?
Whilst injectable Wegovy and Mounjaro will remain excellent options for many people, achieving potentially greater amounts of weight loss more quickly, oral GLP-1 medication may suit you and your lifestyle better:
- If you prefer not to inject
The most obvious reason is if you simply don’t like needles.
Although most people find the pens simple to use, you might just not feel comfortable with self-injecting. A daily pill may feel more familiar and comfortable.
- More flexibility around when you take it
The ability to take Foundayo alongside other medication, food, drink and at any time of the day makes an oral pill a more flexible choice as compared to oral Wegovy.
- If you’re thinking about longer-term weight maintenance
Reaching your target weight can raise a new question: what happens next? You may feel nervous about continuing medication indefinitely but may also be concerned about regaining weight by stopping altogether. Foundayo has been shown to support meaningful weight maintenance for patients who switched from injected Mounajro when compared to placebo, in addition to sustained improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose control2.
- If you want a gentler level of support
Not everyone needs or wants a treatment associated with the greatest possible weight loss. If you have more modest weight loss goals, or if your goal is focused more on improving your long-term health or weight-related conditions, oral GLP-1s may provide enough support to help you see significant improvements.
Ultimately, the best treatment depends on your medical history, health goals, lifestyle and personal preferences. At Genwell, treatment recommendations are always individualised rather than based on a one-size-fits-all approach.
- If you have experienced injection-site reactions
Although uncommon, some patients experience redness, itching or irritation around injection sites. A pill formulation avoids this issue altogether.
- If you want a simpler and more sustainable option
Oral GLP-1s don’t require injection pens, needles or sharps bins. They are easier to travel with and generate less plastic waste than injectable treatments.
What are the benefits of Foundayo?
- Weight loss
Like injectable GLP-1s, Foundayo works by helping you feel fuller sooner, reducing hunger and decreasing food noise.
For many people, this makes it easier to eat smaller portions, reduce snacking and make more conscious food choices without feeling constantly deprived.
In turn this can lead to significant weight loss, even when other methods haven’t been successful.
- Weight maintenance
Achieving a healthy weight is only half the battle - keeping it off is just as hard.
Although lifestyle and behaviour changes can make a big difference, many of the factors that contribute to weight gain remain after you lose weight. In fact, our biology works actively against us after weight loss, making it easier to regain weight and to return to our previous size.
GLP-1 medications like Foundayo can help counteract some of these biological drivers and help you maintain the progress you have worked so hard to achieve.
- Improving health
Weight loss is only one part of the story.
Most people using GLP-1 medications see improvements in blood sugar control, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, fatty liver disease and other markers of metabolic health.
Having improved their weight and metabolic health – the way the body stores and accesses energy from food – they often enjoy renewed energy, improved body confidence, are able to move more easily and feel more in control of their health.
You might consider Foundayo as part of a wider health improvement strategy rather than simply a way of reducing the number on the scales.
Dosing and titration
As with injectable Wegovy and Mounjaro, oral GLP-1 treatment is started gradually to help minimise side effects.
Foundayo is available in six doses: 0.8 mg, 2.5 mg, 5.5 mg, 9 mg, 14.5 mg and 17.2 mg. If you’ve looked at the clinical trials for orforglipron, you may notice that the doses studied are different from the Foundayo doses now available. This is because the trials used a capsule formulation, while Foundayo is supplied as a tablet. The different formulations deliver comparable amounts of medication at different stated doses, which has been taken into account in the approved Foundayo dosing schedule.
The starting dose for someone new to GLP-1s is 0.8mg daily - this can be increased to 2.5mg after four weeks. Additional dosing steps are recommended after a minimum of 4 weeks between each dose increase. These first doses are known as titration doses and are designed primarily to help your body get used to the medication, although weight loss can begin during this time. In clinical trials, people lost an average of around 3.5% of their starting weight over the first eight weeks.
Patients who choose to switch from injectable or oral GLP-1 medication can start at a more moderate Foundayo dose.
Just as with the injectable GLP-1 medications, not everyone needs the maximum dose. At Genwell, we make dosing decisions together with you, based on factors such as weight loss progress and goals, appetite control, side effects and your individual preferences.
Pricing
Final UK pricing for Foundayo has not yet been announced. However, as cold storage is not expected to be required, we anticipate there may be marginal savings compared with injectable GLP-1 treatments.
We’ll share clear pricing details as soon as they are confirmed, so you can compare the available options before making a decision.
How effective is Foundayo?
Foundayo can help you achieve clinically meaningful weight loss, which could significantly improve your health.
In trials, adults who combined oral orforglipron with lifestyle changes over 72 weeks achieved an average weight loss of 7% using the 5.5mg pill, 8% weight loss using 9mg, and 11.2% at the maximum dose of 17.2mg1.
How do GLP-1 medications compare?
There are now several oral and injectable medications available for weight management. They differ in how they’re taken, how often you take them, the weight loss seen in clinical trials and how well they fit into everyday life:
*Please note: These figures come from separate clinical trials rather than studies directly comparing the medications with each other. They show the average weight loss in each study where medication was titrated up to a maximum dose alongside lifestyle and behavioural support. Each trial lasted between 15 and 16.6 months.
It’s important to remember that choosing the “best” medication isn’t simply about achieving the greatest weight loss. Convenience, side effects, lifestyle fit, medical history and personal preference all play an important role in determining which treatment is right for you.
Side effects of Foundayo
Like all GLP-1 medications, side effects can be experienced with Foundayo, but these are usually mild, well tolerated and often settle over time.
The most common side effects were similar to those experienced with other GLPs:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Abdominal discomfort
- Indigestion
Most side effects were mild-to-moderate in nature and occurred when treatment was started or during dose increases.
Many people find that symptoms improve as their body adapts to treatment. Rates of gastrointestinal side effects reported with Foundayo appear to be broadly similar to those seen with injectable GLP-1 treatments, but perhaps less so than oral Wegovy - although again, head-to-head trials have not been performed to compare these medications directly.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects are uncommon but can include:
- Acute pancreatitis
- Gallstones and gallbladder inflammation
- Severe dehydration
- Significant gastrointestinal symptoms
- Allergic reactions
Severely low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) is generally uncommon when GLP-1 medications are taken alone but may occur when combined with certain diabetes medications such as insulin or sulfonylureas (eg gliclazide).
Anyone experiencing severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction should seek urgent medical attention.
Who should not take Foundayo?
GLP-1 medication like Foundayo is not suitable for everyone.
You should not take Foundayo if you:
- Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- Have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
- Are pregnant or planning a pregnancy
- Are breastfeeding
- Have a known allergy to Orforglipron or any ingredient in the tablet
Extra caution may be required in people with a history of pancreatitis, significant gastrointestinal disorders or previous bariatric surgery.
A full medical assessment should always be undertaken before starting treatment.
Can you switch between tablets and injections?
Yes. For some patients, switching between formulations may be appropriate.
In a clinical trial looking at weight maintenance, patients were able to switch directly from the highest dose of Mounjaro to Foundayo and tolerate the change well2. Switching from injected or oral Wegovy is also possible.
Switching between medications should be supervised by an appropriately trained healthcare professional, who can choose the right dose for you and help minimise side effects.
Is Foundayo available yet?
Not quite.
Although Foundayo received MHRA approval on 10 August 2026, supplies are not yet available in the UK.
Stock is expected to arrive in the coming months.
Like injectable Wegovy and Mounjaro, Foundayo will remain a prescription-only medicine and should only be used under appropriate medical supervision.
Final thoughts
The approval of Foundayo is an exciting addition to the treatments available to support weight care for patients living with obesity and overweight in the UK.
For people who prefer not to inject, want a more flexible and convenient pill option or who are looking for a way to maintain weight loss after injections, Foundayo may provide an attractive new choice.
As with all weight management medications, the best results occur when treatment is combined with personalised support around nutrition, physical activity, behaviour change and long-term health habits.
At Genwell, every patient is supported by a named doctor and a wider clinical team to help ensure treatment is safe, effective and tailored to their individual needs.
If you’d like to learn more about Foundayo, add your email address to the waiting list below.
Get notified when the Foundayo pill launches
Foundayo is expected to be available to prescribe in the UK in the coming months. Leave your email, and we’ll tell you as soon as it’s available through Genwell, including pricing once confirmed.
References:
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2. Aronne, L.J., Horn, D.B., le Roux, C.W. et al. Orforglipron for maintenance of body weight reduction: the double-blind, randomized phase 3b ATTAIN-MAINTAIN trial. Nat Med 32, 2679–2687 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-026-04386-7
3. Wharton S, Lingvay I, Bogdanski P, Duque do Vale R, Jacob S, Karlsson T, Shaji C, Rubino D, Garvey WT; OASIS 4 Study Group. Oral Semaglutide at a Dose of 25 mg in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2025 Sep 18;393(11):1077-1087. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2500969. PMID: 40934115.
4. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, Davies M, Van Gaal LF, Lingvay I, McGowan BM, Rosenstock J, Tran MTD, Wadden TA, Wharton S, Yokote K, Zeuthen N, Kushner RF; STEP 1 Study Group. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021 Mar 18;384(11):989-1002. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2032183. Epub 2021 Feb 10. PMID: 33567185.
5. Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, Wharton S, Connery L, Alves B, Kiyosue A, Zhang S, Liu B, Bunck MC, Stefanski A; SURMOUNT-1 Investigators. Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2022 Jul 21;387(3):205-216. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2206038. Epub 2022 Jun 4. PMID: 35658024.
