Few new medicines have generated as much public interest in recent years as weight-loss drugs, and the latest arrival, orforglipron (Foundayo), is likely to be no different. In August, the UK became the first country in Europe to approve this new GLP-1 tablet for weight management and type 2 diabetes.
For us, it’s another new drug to learn about (and learn how to pronounce). It’s still early days for orforglipron in the UK, but here’s our top-line look at what we know so far.
What is orforglipron and how is it different?
GLP-1 medications work by mimicking a gut hormone that slows digestion, reduces appetite, and improves blood sugar control. Existing options — liraglutide (Saxenda), semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy), and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) — are peptide-based injections (semaglutide also has an oral form, taken fasted).
Orforglipron is different: it’s a small-molecule tablet so it can be taken any time of day, with or without food, unlike semaglutide which needs to be taken when fasted.
How effective is it?
In its pivotal 72-week trial, patients on the highest dose who stayed on treatment lost an average of 12.4% of body weight, versus under 1% on placebo. Across all participants regardless of adherence, the average was closer to 11%. In a head-to-head diabetes trial, orforglipron produced a greater reduction in HbA1c than oral semaglutide, alongside greater weight loss.
For context, this places orforglipron slightly behind tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and the oral Wegovy tablet, which have generally shown somewhat larger average weight loss in their own trials, and ahead of liraglutide (Saxenda), the most modest performer of the group. These weren’t head-to-head trials, so treat cross-study comparisons with some caution.
What are the side effects?
Broadly consistent with the rest of the GLP-1 class: nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, indigestion, abdominal pain, headache, and hair loss. It carries the same warning as the other GLP-1s about a potential (unconfirmed in humans) rare thyroid cancer risk, and shouldn’t be used by anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2.
It may also reduce the effectiveness of the combined contraceptive pill, so additional contraceptive precautions may be advised when starting treatment or increasing the dose.
More generally, GLP-1 medications may affect the absorption of some oral medicines. If you are taking any regular oral medication, especially oral contraception or HRT, we would encourage you to discuss this with your doctor.
Is it available in the UK?
Yes. Orforglipron (Foundayo) has now been approved by the MHRA and is available for private prescription in the UK. It is not currently available through the NHS.
What does it cost?
Private prescription costs will vary between providers and according to dose. As a guide, the current cost ranges from £119 for the lower doses to £190 for the higher doses for a 30-tablet pack. This undercuts Mounjaro’s list price and is broadly in line with or below the Wegovy tablet. As a rough guide, the wider GLP-1 class currently runs from about £120 (Saxenda) up to £370 (Mounjaro) a month privately.
Which medication is right for me?
It depends on your goals, tolerance for side effects, preference for tablets over injections, and budget. Mounjaro tends to produce the strongest average weight loss; orforglipron offers a genuinely convenient tablet option without fasting rules; liraglutide remains the most established, lower-cost choice. We would encourage you to talk to your doctor about what may be best for you.
If you would like to discuss weight management or whether a GLP-1 medication may be suitable for you, please contact us to arrange an appointment with one of our GPs.
About the author
BA (Hons) MB BSMRCGP
“The most fulfilling part of this job is making a real difference to patients with timely diagnoses and supporting them going through a difficult time”.
I enjoy the full variety of General Practice and recognise the benefits in both continuity and time that private care affords. I have a particular interest in disease prevention, chronic disease management and paediatrics.
The key to our success is maintaining and improving our patients’ health, managing chronic disease meticulously and working alongside the best specialists when needed.
