Foundayo and Wegovy injection compared
Foundayo and Wegovy both mimic GLP-1, a hormone that helps us feel full after we eat. They communicate with appetite centres in the brain to reduce hunger, but use different drugs and dosing schedules.3,4
Wegovy contains semaglutide, a peptide drug made from a chain of amino acids. The injection bypasses digestion, and semaglutide remains in the bloodstream long enough to be taken once a week.4
Foundayo contains orforglipron, a small molecule drug. After we swallow the tablet, orforglipron is absorbed from the digestive tract into the bloodstream. You can take Foundayo with or without food.3
| Comparison |
Foundayo |
Wegovy injection 2.4 mg |
Wegovy injection 7.2 mg |
| Routine |
One tablet a day |
Injection once a week |
Injection once a week |
| Dose in the trials below |
Equivalent to the licensed 17.2 mg tablet |
2.4 mg |
7.2 mg |
| Weight-loss trial |
ATTAIN-1 |
STEP UP |
STEP UP |
| Trial length |
72 weeks |
72 weeks |
72 weeks |
| Average weight loss, including those who dropped out |
11.2% |
15.6% |
18.7% |
| Average weight loss, estimated if treatment continued |
12.4% |
17.5% |
20.7% |
| Adult weight-management eligibility |
Obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition |
Obesity, or overweight with a weight-related condition |
Obesity, if a higher dose is needed |
The weight-loss figures come from trials in adults without diabetes. Neither the tablet nor injection starts at the dose shown here.1,2,3,4
ATTAIN-1 used capsules labelled 36 mg at its highest dose. The UK product information confirms equivalent drug exposure to the licensed 17.2 mg tablet, meaning an equivalent amount of the drug reaches the bloodstream.3
Why each trial reports two weight-loss figures
In their separate trials, Foundayo produced an average weight loss of 11.2% and Wegovy 7.2 mg produced 18.7%. These analyses included everyone assigned to treatment, including people who stopped taking the medication before the trial ended.1,2
Researchers also estimated weight loss assuming participants continued treatment for the full 72 weeks. Those estimates were 12.4% with Foundayo and 20.7% with Wegovy 7.2 mg.1,2
Comparing Wegovy’s 20.7% figure with Foundayo’s 11.2% figure mixes results calculated differently. The comparable pairs are 18.7% versus 11.2%, or 20.7% versus 12.4%.1,2
Weight loss varies from person to person
In ATTAIN-1, 54.6% of people taking the highest Foundayo dose lost at least 10% of their starting weight, while 18.4% lost at least 20%.1
Foundayo’s average weight loss of 11.2% therefore isn’t a maximum. Some people lost more, while others lost less.
Foundayo and Wegovy weren’t directly compared in these trials. The participants also differed, with an average starting body mass index (BMI) of 37.0 in ATTAIN-1 and 39.9 in STEP UP.1,2
We can use the averages to discuss likely outcomes, but these trials can’t tell us which medication would produce more weight loss for one person.
In these trials, participants also received diet and lifestyle guidance to improve their eating and exercise habits.
Some of the variation in weight loss between participants may relate to differences in eating habits and physical activity alongside the medication.
For example, some participants may have improved their eating habits and exercised more than others. These changes, along with the medication’s effect, may have increased weight loss in these individuals.
Other factors, such as individual response to the medication and genetic differences, may also contribute to the variation in weight loss outcomes.
The trials don’t establish how much differences in eating habits or physical activity explain the variation in weight loss.1,2
Who can take Wegovy 7.2 mg?
Wegovy 7.2 mg is licensed for adults with an initial BMI of at least 30 who need further weight loss.
A prescriber is able to approve the increase to 7.2 mg if you’ve been on 2.4 mg for at least 4 weeks.7
The higher dose isn’t licensed for weight management in adults with an initial BMI between 27 and below 30. Being eligible for Wegovy doesn’t automatically mean you’d be eligible for 7.2 mg.7
In STEP UP, Wegovy 7.2 mg produced an average weight loss of 18.7%, compared with 15.6% at 2.4 mg. That’s an additional 3.1 percentage points in the same trial, including people who stopped treatment.2
If you’re losing weight steadily on 2.4 mg and meeting your agreed health goals, you may not need to increase the dose to 7.2 mg.
If further weight loss is needed, your prescriber can consider 7.2 mg after reviewing your response to 2.4 mg and any side effects.4,7
Wegovy 2.4 mg is also licensed to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in adults with a BMI of at least 27 and existing cardiovascular disease, such as a previous heart attack or stroke.4
Foundayo doesn’t have this UK approval for reducing the risk of heart attacks or strokes. If reducing cardiovascular risk is a treatment goal, discuss that with your prescriber when comparing medications.3,4
In ATTAIN-1, Foundayo improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels compared with placebo.1
However, improvements in these risk factors don’t establish that Foundayo reduces heart attacks or strokes. Wegovy has published clinical trials measuring those events, which led to its UK approval for reducing cardiovascular risk.1,4
How do you take Foundayo and Wegovy?
Foundayo is taken once a day, while Wegovy is injected once a week. Which drug is right for you partly depends on whether you’d prefer a daily tablet or a weekly injection.
Foundayo tablets must be swallowed whole. You can take them at any time of day, with or without food, and you don’t need to refrigerate them.3
If you already take a tablet with breakfast, taking Foundayo at the same time may be easier to remember because it’s already part of your routine.
If you think you’d struggle to stick to the daily Foundayo routine, a weekly injection with a reminder may suit you better.
Wegovy pens need refrigeration before use. You can keep the FlexTouch pen below 30°C for six weeks after first use; check the leaflet for the specific pen supplied.4
Wegovy’s FlexTouch pen uses a very fine needle. If you’re anxious about injecting, ask your clinical team to show you how to use the pen.
Both medications start at a low dose and increase gradually to allow the body time to adapt to the drug and lower the risk of side effects.
How do the side effects compare?
Both Foundayo and Wegovy can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation. Taking a tablet doesn’t guarantee fewer digestive side effects than an injection.1,2
In STEP UP, digestive side effects affected 70.8% of people taking Wegovy 7.2 mg and 61.2% taking 2.4 mg.2
Changes in skin sensation, including sensitivity or burning, affected 22.9% of people taking 7.2 mg and 6.0% taking 2.4 mg.2
Wegovy’s higher dose produced more average weight loss, but also more side effects. If 2.4 mg is working well, consider whether the extra weight loss at 7.2 mg is worth the added risk of side effects.
In ATTAIN-1, side effects led 10.3% of people taking the highest Foundayo dose to stop treatment.1
If side effects are affecting your quality of life, speak with your prescriber about your options. They can review the dose or consider another treatment.3,4
Seek urgent medical advice for severe, persistent abdominal pain, particularly if it spreads to the back, or repeated vomiting that prevents you from keeping fluids down. These side effects may indicate pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) or dehydration.3,4
Our Foundayo side effects guide explains which symptoms to watch for and when to seek help.
How much do Foundayo and Wegovy cost?
At Second Nature, Foundayo costs £104 to £154 a month, and Wegovy injection costs £134 to £284 a month on a 12-month plan, depending on the dose.
The table shows the ongoing monthly price at every dose. Medication, delivery, dietitian support, and app access are included.
Second Nature monthly prices on a 12-month plan
| Foundayo |
Wegovy injection |
| Dose |
Cost per month |
Dose |
Cost per month |
| 0.8 mg |
£104 |
0.25 mg |
£134 |
| 2.5 mg |
£104 |
0.5 mg |
£154 |
| 5.5 mg |
£104 |
1.0 mg |
£164 |
| 9 mg |
£124 |
1.7 mg |
£194 |
| 14.5 mg |
£154 |
2.4 mg |
£214 |
| 17.2 mg |
£154 |
7.2 mg |
£284 |
The doses are listed from lowest to highest for each medication. Doses shown on the same row aren’t equivalent.
For either medication, a six-month plan costs £10 more per month than the prices shown. A monthly plan costs £25 more per month.
The £50 welcome discount applies only to the first month. All plans are billed monthly; the six- and 12-month plans involve a commitment, and early cancellation can require repayment of the commitment discounts received.
Other providers charge different prices, depending on the dose and whether they provide medication and prescribing alone or a support programme alongside it.
Compare the ongoing price at the dose prescribed, including delivery and any additional fees.
Our current treatment prices show the available plans and offers.
Can you take Foundayo or Wegovy with other medicines?
Your prescriber should review your other medicines before choosing between Foundayo and Wegovy. Some combinations require a different dose or closer monitoring.3,4
Our GLP-1 medication compatibility checker provides general guidance on taking Wegovy alongside common medicines and health conditions, helping you prepare for a discussion with your prescriber.
Foundayo increases blood levels of the active form of simvastatin, a medicine to lower cholesterol.
The UK prescribing information recommends halving the simvastatin dose when taken with Foundayo; your prescriber should arrange this change.3
The maximum Foundayo dose is 9 mg a day when taken with certain medicines, including the antibiotic clarithromycin. The trial averages for Foundayo 17.2 mg shouldn’t be used to predict weight loss at 9 mg.3
Wegovy can also require additional monitoring. If you take warfarin, a blood-thinning medicine, your clinical team should check your INR (a measure of how quickly your blood clots) more frequently when you start Wegovy.4
Does either medication affect the contraceptive pill?
Foundayo may reduce the contraceptive pill’s effectiveness. If you take the pill, switch to a non-oral contraceptive method or use condoms alongside the pill for 30 days after starting Foundayo and for 30 days after each dose increase.3
Wegovy isn’t expected to reduce the pill’s effectiveness, so its prescribing information doesn’t recommend the same routine contraceptive precautions when starting treatment or increasing the dose.4
Take home message
Wegovy produced more average weight loss in separate trials: 15.6% at 2.4 mg and 18.7% at 7.2 mg, compared with 11.2% with the highest Foundayo dose. These results include people who stopped treatment.1,2
Foundayo is taken as a daily tablet and has lower ongoing maintenance-dose prices at Second Nature.
Wegovy is injected once a week. Its 7.2 mg dose is available to eligible adults living with obesity who need further weight loss.7
If you’re choosing between Foundayo and Wegovy, consider your weight-loss goals, affordability, and whether you’d prefer a daily tablet or weekly injection.
Your prescriber can help you choose the right medication and dose based on your medical history, other medicines, and potential side effects.
Second Nature’s medication programme combines clinical oversight with personalised support from registered dietitians and nutritionists. We use balanced meals and practical support with eating habits, hunger, and emotional eating.
A peer-reviewed evaluation of Second Nature’s semaglutide-supported programme found an average weight loss of 19.1% at 12 months among 135 active subscribers.6
Among all 179 participants with 12-month weight data, including inactive subscribers, 77.7% achieved at least 10% weight loss.6
Second Nature's Mounjaro and Wegovy programmes
Second Nature provides Mounjaro or Wegovy as part of our Mounjaro and Wegovy weight-loss programmes.
Why choose Second Nature over other medication providers, assuming you're eligible?
Because peace of mind matters.
We've had the privilege of working with the NHS for over eight years, helping people across the UK take meaningful steps toward a healthier, happier life.
Our programmes are designed to meet people where they are, whether that means support with weight loss through compassionate one-to-one health coaching, or access to the latest weight-loss medications (like Mounjaro and Wegovy) delivered alongside expert care from a multidisciplinary team of doctors, psychologists, dietitians, and personal trainers.
At the heart of everything we do is a simple belief: real, lasting change comes from building better habits, not relying on quick fixes. We're here to support that change every step of the way.
With over a decade of experience, thousands of lives changed, and a long-standing record of delivering programmes used by the NHS, we believe we're the UK's most trusted weight-loss programme.
We hope to offer you something invaluable: peace of mind, and the support you need to take that first step.
Frequently asked questions
Is Foundayo the same as the Wegovy pill?
Foundayo contains orforglipron, while the Wegovy pill contains semaglutide. They are different medications.3
This guide compares Foundayo with the Wegovy injection. Our Wegovy pill versus Foundayo guide compares the two tablets.
Is Foundayo as effective as Wegovy injection?
In separate 72-week trials, average weight loss was 11.2% with the highest Foundayo dose, 15.6% with Wegovy 2.4 mg, and 18.7% with Wegovy 7.2 mg. These results include people who stopped treatment.1,2
Wegovy produced greater average weight loss, but the studies don’t show which medication will work better for an individual.
Can I switch from Wegovy injection to Foundayo?
Your prescriber can assess whether switching is suitable and explain when to start Foundayo and at which dose. The milligram numbers aren’t equivalent: a Wegovy dose can’t be used to calculate a Foundayo dose.
Can I take Foundayo and Wegovy together?
Don’t take Foundayo and Wegovy together. Wegovy’s product information advises against combining it with another GLP-1 medication.4
Does Foundayo cause fewer side effects because it’s a tablet?
Foundayo being a tablet doesn’t guarantee fewer side effects. Both drugs can cause digestive symptoms, and these weight-loss trials didn’t directly compare how well people tolerated Foundayo and Wegovy.1,2
Is Foundayo cheaper than Wegovy injection?
At Second Nature, ongoing maintenance-dose prices on a 12-month plan are £104 to £154 a month for Foundayo, compared with £214 for Wegovy 2.4 mg and £284 for Wegovy 7.2 mg.
Six-month and monthly plans cost more per month. Prices vary by provider, so check the ongoing cost and whether medication, delivery, and support are included.
Does Foundayo affect the contraceptive pill?
Foundayo may reduce the effectiveness of oral hormonal contraception. Use a non-oral method, such as a coil, or add a barrier method, such as condoms, for 30 days after starting and for 30 days after each dose increase.3
Can I use either medication when planning pregnancy?
Neither should be used during pregnancy. Stop Foundayo at least three weeks before a planned pregnancy, and Wegovy at least two months before.3,4
Discuss contraception and a plan for stopping treatment with your prescriber before trying to conceive.
Who can get Wegovy on the NHS?
You may qualify for Wegovy on the NHS in England if you have a BMI of 35 or higher and at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes.5
Adults with a BMI of 30 to 34.9 may also qualify if they have a weight-related condition and meet the criteria for specialist care.
For example, specialist support may be needed when previous weight-management treatment hasn’t worked.5
For people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean backgrounds, NICE usually reduces these BMI thresholds by 2.5. For example, the threshold of 35 becomes 32.5.5
A specialist weight-management service prescribes treatment, and NICE recommends a maximum treatment period of two years.5
Ask your GP whether you meet the referral criteria and whether your local service offers treatment.
