Foundayo (orforglipron): what it is, how it works, and when it’s coming to the UK

Jump to: What is Foundayo? | How effective is it? | How orforglipron works | How to take it | How Foundayo compares to other GLP-1s | Side effects | How to get Foundayo in the UK | Using Foundayo for weight maintenance | Frequently asked questions | Take home message

Foundayo (orforglipron) is a once-daily GLP-1 weight-loss pill that can be taken at any time of day, with or without food, and with no water restrictions.¹

The MHRA approved Foundayo on 10th August 2026, making the UK the first country in Europe to license it.¹

You can pre-order Foundayo through Second Nature now if you meet the eligibility criteria, ahead of it going on sale in the coming weeks.

In the main clinical trial, people on the highest dose lost an average of 11.2% of their body weight over 72 weeks.³

That’s less weight loss than injectable Mounjaro or Wegovy produce, but Foundayo needs no injection and no strict morning routine, which is what the Wegovy pill requires.

What is Foundayo?

Foundayo is the brand name for orforglipron, a once-daily oral GLP-1 receptor agonist made by Eli Lilly.¹

It belongs to the same class of medications as injectable Wegovy (semaglutide) and injectable Mounjaro (tirzepatide). All three reduce appetite and slow digestion by mimicking the hormone GLP-1.

Foundayo is different from other oral GLP-1s in two ways.

First, it’s a small molecule, not a peptide. Most GLP-1 medications, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, are peptides, which means they get broken down by stomach acid.

Foundayo’s small-molecule structure survives digestion intact, which is why it can be taken orally without special conditions.³

Second, it can be taken at any time of day, with or without food, with no water restrictions.¹ The Wegovy pill, the other oral GLP-1 licensed for weight loss, requires an empty stomach, no more than 120 ml of water, and a 30-minute fast after taking it.

Foundayo comes in six doses: 0.8 mg, 2.5 mg, 5.5 mg, 9 mg, 14.5 mg, and 17.2 mg. Treatment starts at the lowest dose and increases at intervals of at least a month, based on how you respond and what side effects you experience.¹

How effective is Foundayo?

The main evidence comes from the ATTAIN-1 trial, a 72-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.³

The trial enrolled 3,127 adults living with obesity, or with overweight and at least one weight-related condition, who didn’t have type 2 diabetes.

Participants were randomly assigned to receive orforglipron at 6 mg, 12 mg, or 36 mg, or a placebo, alongside a healthy diet and physical activity.

Weight loss results by dose:

• 7.5% average weight loss with 6 mg
• 8.4% with 12 mg
• 11.2% with 36 mg
• 2.1% with placebo

At the highest dose, 54.6% of participants lost at least 10% of their body weight, 36.0% lost at least 15%, and 18.4% lost 20% or more.³

The trial also found improvements in waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, and non-HDL cholesterol across all doses.³

A separate trial, ATTAIN-2, studied orforglipron in adults living with type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Eli Lilly reported that participants on the highest dose lost an average of 10.5% of their body weight over 72 weeks, with reductions in HbA1c (a measure of average blood sugar over about three months) of up to 1.8 percentage points.⁴

The ATTAIN-1 trial tested doses up to 36 mg in a capsule form, while the approved Foundayo tablets go up to 17.2 mg. The 17.2 mg tablet delivers the same dose as the trial’s 36 mg capsule.¹

How orforglipron works

Orforglipron mimics GLP-1, a hormone our body produces after eating, and works on the same receptors as injectable Wegovy and the Wegovy pill.

GLP-1 signals to the brain that we’re full, slows the rate at which food leaves the stomach, and helps regulate blood sugar.³

With that signal amplified by a medication, hunger drops and food noise quietens, so smaller portions feel satisfying and people find it easier to change what and how much they eat.

The difference between orforglipron and semaglitude is structural. Semaglutide is a modified version of the natural GLP-1 hormone. It’s a peptide, and peptides are normally destroyed by stomach acid.

Novo Nordisk solved this for the Wegovy pill by adding an absorption enhancer called SNAC that protects the drug in the stomach.⁵ Even with SNAC, the tablet needs strict fasting conditions to be absorbed properly.

Orforglipron was designed as a small molecule rather than a peptide. It doesn’t need protection from stomach acid because digestive enzymes don’t break it down, which is why it can be taken with food, at any time of day, without fasting.³

Orforglipron mimics GLP-1 only. Injectable Mounjaro (tirzepatide) mimics both GLP-1 and GIP, a second gut hormone, and works on both appetite and blood sugar through two routes rather than one.

Because Foundayo works on GLP-1 alone, it produces less weight loss on average than injectable Mounjaro.

How to take Foundayo

Foundayo is taken as one tablet once a day. There are no restrictions on when you take it or whether you’ve eaten.¹

Swallow the tablet whole. Don’t crush, break, or chew it.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day. Don’t take more than one tablet per day.

The tablets are stored at room temperature, so there’s no need for refrigeration.¹

Treatment follows a dose escalation schedule:

1. Start at 0.8 mg once a day
2. Increase to 2.5 mg after at least a month
3. Increase to 5.5 mg after at least a month
4. Further increases to 9 mg, 14.5 mg, or 17.2 mg are possible, based on how you respond and what side effects you experience

Not everyone will need to reach the highest dose. Your prescriber will adjust it based on your weight loss and how well you tolerate the medication.

How Foundayo compares to other GLP-1 medications

Injectable Mounjaro produces the greatest average weight loss of any GLP-1 medication available in the UK. Injectable Wegovy sits between Mounjaro and the oral options.

Foundayo produces less weight loss than the Wegovy pill (11.2% versus 13.6%), but it’s easier to take.

If sticking to the routine is a concern, taking a tablet at any time without fasting may lead to more consistent use in practice.

All four medications are now licensed in the UK. The Wegovy pill and both injections are on sale, and Foundayo is available to pre-order ahead of going on sale.

Side effects of Foundayo

Side effects are consistent with the broader GLP-1 medication class. The most common in the ATTAIN trials were:³

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Indigestion
• Abdominal pain

These side effects occurred most often during the dose escalation phase and were generally rated as mild to moderate.

Hair loss is also listed as a common side effect of Foundayo.¹ It’s usually a temporary response to rapid weight loss rather than a direct effect of the drug, and it’s reported across the GLP-1 class.

Treatment discontinuation because of side effects ranged from 5.3% to 10.3% across the orforglipron dose groups in ATTAIN-1, compared with 2.7% on placebo.³

Serious side effects are rare. Contact your GP or prescriber urgently if you have severe stomach pain that doesn’t settle, as this can be a sign of pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).

The U.S. label carries a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumours seen in animal studies, consistent with other GLP-1 medications.²

This risk hasn’t been confirmed in humans, but the medication isn’t recommended for anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (a rare thyroid cancer) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (an inherited condition affecting the hormone glands).²

How to get Foundayo in the UK

The MHRA approved Foundayo on 10th August 2026, making the UK the first country in Europe to license it.¹

It’s licensed for adults with a BMI of 30 or above, or a BMI between 27 and 30 with at least one weight-related condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.¹

The licence covers weight maintenance as well as weight loss, so Foundayo can be prescribed to help you keep weight off after losing it.¹

Foundayo isn’t on sale yet, because a newly approved medication takes a few weeks to reach pharmacies and providers. The Wegovy pill followed the same pattern, with approval on 11th June 2026 and sales starting around three and a half weeks later.

You can pre-order Foundayo through Second Nature now if you meet the eligibility criteria. You complete the medical assessment first, and your medication is dispatched as soon as Foundayo goes on sale.

Foundayo isn’t available on the NHS. NICE, the body that decides which medications the NHS funds, now needs to assess whether it represents good value, and there’s no confirmed timeline for that decision.¹

Injectable Mounjaro and injectable Wegovy are both available through private providers and, in some cases, through the NHS.

Using Foundayo for weight maintenance after injectable treatment

The ATTAIN-MAINTAIN trial tested whether people who had already lost weight on injectable GLP-1s could switch to orforglipron to keep it off.⁹

Participants who had reached a weight plateau on injectable Wegovy or Mounjaro were re-randomised to receive either orforglipron or a placebo for 52 weeks.

People who switched to orforglipron kept around 75 to 79% of the weight they’d lost. People who switched to a placebo kept around 38 to 49%.⁹

This supports a treatment route that didn’t previously exist: losing weight on the most effective injectable option, then moving to a daily tablet to maintain it. The UK licence covers this use.¹

For people who don’t want to stay on injections indefinitely, it’s an alternative to either continuing the injection or stopping treatment altogether.

Whether the effect holds beyond 52 weeks is still unknown. ATTAIN-MAINTAIN was relatively small, at 376 participants, and needs longer follow-up to confirm how durable the effect is.

Frequently asked questions

What is Foundayo?

Foundayo is the brand name for orforglipron, a once-daily oral GLP-1 weight-loss medication made by Eli Lilly. The MHRA approved it on 10th August 2026, and the FDA approved it in the U.S. on 1 April 2026.^1,2

Is Foundayo available in the UK?

Foundayo is approved in the UK but not yet on sale, and it’s expected to reach providers in the coming weeks.¹

You can pre-order it through Second Nature now if you meet the eligibility criteria, and your medication is dispatched once it goes on sale.

Can you pre-order Foundayo in the UK?

Yes. You complete a medical assessment first, and if a prescriber approves you, your first month’s medication is dispatched as soon as Foundayo goes on sale.

How much weight can you lose on Foundayo?

In the ATTAIN-1 trial, people on the highest dose lost an average of 11.2% of their body weight over 72 weeks.³

How do you take Foundayo?

One tablet once a day, at any time, with or without food. No water restrictions. Swallow it whole. If you miss a dose, take it the same day when you remember.¹

What are the side effects of Foundayo?

The most common side effects are nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, indigestion, and abdominal pain. Hair loss is also listed as a common side effect. Most side effects are mild to moderate and happen during dose escalation.^1,3

Is Foundayo the same as Mounjaro?

No. Foundayo contains orforglipron, which mimics GLP-1. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which mimics both GLP-1 and GIP.

Both are made by Eli Lilly, but they’re different medications. Mounjaro produces greater average weight loss and is a weekly injection.

How much does Foundayo cost?

UK pricing hasn’t been confirmed, and each provider will set its own monthly cost when it goes on sale.

In the U.S., the starting dose costs $149 a month for self-pay patients through LillyDirect, and as little as $25 a month with eligible commercial insurance and a savings card.⁴

Foundayo vs Wegovy pill: which is better?

The Wegovy pill produces more average weight loss (13.6% versus 11.2%), but Foundayo is easier to take because it has no fasting or timing restrictions.^3,6

The Wegovy pill is on sale in the UK now, and Foundayo is available to pre-order ahead of going on sale.

Can you switch from Mounjaro or Wegovy injections to Foundayo?

In the ATTAIN-MAINTAIN trial, people who switched from injectable Wegovy or Mounjaro to orforglipron kept around 75 to 79% of the weight they’d lost over 52 weeks.⁹

The UK licence covers weight maintenance, so this is a decision to make with your prescriber.

Is orforglipron a peptide?

No. Orforglipron is a small molecule, not a peptide. This is why it can be taken orally without the fasting requirements that peptide-based oral GLP-1s like the Wegovy pill need.³

What is the brand name for orforglipron?

Foundayo. It’s made by Eli Lilly, and the MHRA approved it on 10th August 2026.¹

When will a GLP-1 weight-loss pill be available in the UK?

The Wegovy pill has been on sale since July 2026, after MHRA approval in June.

Foundayo was approved in August 2026 and is expected to go on sale in the coming weeks. Both would need a NICE recommendation before the NHS could fund them.

Take home message

Foundayo is the first oral GLP-1 medication that can be taken without fasting, timing, or water restrictions.

It produces an average weight loss of 11.2% over 72 weeks at the highest dose, less than injectable Mounjaro or Wegovy.

The MHRA approved it on 10th August 2026, and it’s available to pre-order ahead of going on sale in the coming weeks. It isn’t available on the NHS.

For people who have avoided GLP-1 treatment because of needles, or because of the Wegovy pill’s morning routine, Foundayo removes both of those obstacles.

The ATTAIN-MAINTAIN results, and the UK licence, also make it an option for keeping weight off after losing it on an injection, though longer-term data are needed.

Whichever medication or format you choose, the evidence consistently shows that combining GLP-1 treatment with structured habit-change support produces better long-term results.

Second Nature’s programme pairs the medication with support from registered dietitians and nutritionists, built around a balanced plate of vegetables, protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats.

In a study published in JMIR Formative Research, active subscribers on the programme lost an average of 19.1% of their body weight at 12 months, with 77.7% losing at least 10%.¹⁰

References

1. Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. (2026). UK first in Europe to authorise orforglipron for weight management and type 2 diabetes.
2. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2026). FDA approves first new molecular entity under National Priority Voucher program. Press release, 1 April 2026.
3. Wharton, S., Aronne, L.J., Stefanski, A., et al. (2025). Orforglipron, an Oral Small-Molecule GLP-1 Receptor Agonist for Obesity Treatment. New England Journal of Medicine, 393(18), 1796-1806. (ATTAIN-1 trial)
4. Eli Lilly. (2026). FDA approves Lilly’s Foundayo (orforglipron), the only GLP-1 pill for weight loss that can be taken any time of day without food or water restrictions. Press release, 1 April 2026.
5. Buckley, S.T., Bækdal, T.A., Vegge, A., et al. (2018). Transcellular stomach absorption of a derivatized glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist. Science Translational Medicine, 10(467).
6. Wharton, S., Lingvay, I., Bogdanski, P., et al. (2025). Oral Semaglutide at a Dose of 25 mg in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 393(11), 1077-1087. (OASIS 4 trial)
7. Wilding, J.P.H., Batterham, R.L., Calanna, S., et al. (2021). Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11), 989-1002. (STEP 1 trial)
8. Jastreboff, A.M., Aronne, L.J., Ahmad, N.N., et al. (2022). Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 387(3), 205-216. (SURMOUNT-1 trial)
9. Aronne, L.J., Horn, D.B., le Roux, C.W., et al. (2026). Orforglipron for maintenance of body weight reduction: the double-blind, randomized phase 3b ATTAIN-MAINTAIN trial. Nature Medicine, 32(7), 2679-2687. (ATTAIN-MAINTAIN trial)
10. Richards, R., Whitman, M., Wren, G., et al. (2025). A Remotely Delivered GLP-1RA-Supported Specialist Weight Management Program in Adults Living With Obesity: Retrospective Service Evaluation. JMIR Formative Research, 9(1), e72577.