Foundayo (orforglipron) is a once-daily oral GLP-1 receptor agonist authorised in the UK for weight management.

Foundayo represents an important development in GLP-1 treatment because it is taken as a daily tablet rather than an injection. Its active ingredient, orforglipron, is a small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly.

For eligible adults living with obesity or overweight and weight-related health conditions, Foundayo can be prescribed alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity to support long-term weight management.

On this page, we explain what Foundayo is, how orforglipron works, available Foundayo doses, clinical trial results, potential side effects and frequently asked questions about Foundayo in the UK.

What is Foundayo?

Foundayo is the brand name for orforglipron, a prescription-only oral GLP-1 receptor agonist.

GLP-1 medicines have become an important part of medical weight management. Foundayo differs from many established GLP-1 treatments because it is supplied as an oral tablet taken once daily.

Orforglipron is a non-peptide, small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist. This allows the medicine to be taken orally while activating GLP-1 receptors involved in appetite, food intake and metabolic regulation.

Foundayo should only be prescribed following an appropriate medical assessment.

How Does Foundayo Work for Weight Loss?

Foundayo contains orforglipron, which activates glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors.

GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone involved in appetite and glucose regulation.

By activating GLP-1 receptors, orforglipron can help regulate appetite and reduce calorie intake. When combined with appropriate dietary changes and increased physical activity, this can support clinically meaningful weight reduction.

Foundayo is designed to support long-term medical weight management, rather than cosmetic weight loss.

Individual results vary, and treatment should form part of a wider weight-management programme overseen by an appropriate healthcare professional.

Is Foundayo a Tablet?

Yes. Foundayo is a once-daily oral tablet.

This is one of the most significant differences between Foundayo and injectable GLP-1 weight-management medicines.

Orforglipron is a small molecule rather than a peptide. Foundayo can be taken orally and does not require an injection.

It can also be taken with or without food, making the dosing routine different from some other oral GLP-1 medicines.

Always follow the specific instructions supplied with your medicine and those given by your prescriber.

Foundayo Doses UK

Foundayo is available in several strengths to allow treatment to be gradually increased.

The Foundayo dose strengths are:

• Foundayo 0.8 mg
• Foundayo 2.5 mg
• Foundayo 5.5 mg
• Foundayo 9 mg
• Foundayo 14.5 mg
• Foundayo 17.2 mg

Foundayo is taken once daily.

Treatment begins with a lower dose and is gradually increased. This process is known as dose escalation or titration and is intended to improve tolerability as the body adjusts to treatment.

What is the Foundayo starting dose?

Treatment starts with Foundayo 0.8 mg once daily.

Dose escalation should only take place according to the treatment schedule prescribed by a healthcare professional.

What is the highest Foundayo dose?

The highest Foundayo strength is 17.2 mg once daily.

Not everyone will need the maximum dose. The most appropriate maintenance dose depends on factors including individual response and tolerability.

Never increase or change your Foundayo dose without speaking to your healthcare professional.

How Do You Take Foundayo?

Foundayo is taken once a day as an oral tablet.

Unlike some oral GLP-1 medicines, Foundayo can be taken with or without food.

Patients should:

• take Foundayo exactly as prescribed;
• follow their individual dose-escalation schedule;
• read the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with the medicine; and
• speak to their prescriber or pharmacist if they are unsure how to take their treatment.

Do not take more Foundayo than prescribed or alter your treatment schedule without medical advice.

Foundayo Weight Loss Results

The active ingredient in Foundayo, orforglipron, has been evaluated in an extensive clinical development programme.

One of the major Phase 3 studies investigated once-daily orforglipron over 72 weeks in adults with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related health condition, without diabetes.

Treatment was used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

At 72 weeks, average changes in body weight for doses corresponding to marketed Foundayo strengths were:

• Foundayo 5.5mg = −7.4%
• Foundayo 9mg = −8.3%
• Foundayo 17.2mg = −11.1%
• Placebo = −2.1%

These results show that participants receiving orforglipron experienced greater average weight reduction than those receiving placebo.

Individual weight-loss results vary. Clinical trial averages cannot predict how much weight an individual patient will lose with Foundayo.

Foundayo Clinical Trials

Several clinical studies have investigated orforglipron for obesity, overweight and associated metabolic conditions.

ATTAIN-1 Trial

ATTAIN-1 was a Phase 3 trial studying orforglipron in adults with obesity or overweight and at least one associated weight-related condition, excluding diabetes.

The study evaluated changes in body weight over 72 weeks.

Participants receiving orforglipron achieved statistically significant reductions in body weight compared with placebo.

The study provides important evidence supporting the use of once-daily oral orforglipron for weight management.

ATTAIN-1 weight-loss results

At 72 weeks, average weight reductions corresponding to marketed Foundayo doses were:

• 7.4% with 5.5 mg
• 8.3% with 9 mg
• 11.1% with 17.2 mg
• 2.1% with placebo

Participants also followed dietary and physical-activity interventions.

The trial used an investigational formulation of orforglipron at doses equivalent to the marketed Foundayo formulation.

ATTAIN-2 Trial

ATTAIN-2 studied orforglipron in adults living with obesity or overweight who also had type 2 diabetes.

This Phase 3, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved more than 1,600 participants and evaluated treatment over 72 weeks.

The study provides additional evidence about orforglipron in a population affected by both excess weight and type 2 diabetes.

As with all clinical studies, trial results describe outcomes across groups of participants and should not be interpreted as a guarantee of an individual patient's response.

What Are the Side Effects of Foundayo?

Like all prescription medicines, Foundayo can cause side effects, although not everybody will experience them.

GLP-1 receptor agonists are commonly associated with gastrointestinal side effects, particularly while starting treatment or increasing the dose.

Patients should consult the current UK Patient Information Leaflet for the complete list of Foundayo side effects, warnings and precautions.

If you develop severe, persistent or concerning symptoms while taking Foundayo, seek appropriate medical advice.

Who Can Take Foundayo?

Foundayo is a prescription medicine and will not be suitable for everyone.

A healthcare professional should assess factors including:

• your BMI and weight;
• weight-related medical conditions;
• your medical history;
• other medicines you take;
• previous weight-management treatment;
• pregnancy or plans for pregnancy; and
• other factors that may affect whether treatment is suitable.

Your prescriber will determine whether Foundayo is an appropriate treatment based on your individual circumstances.

Foundayo vs Weight Loss Injections

One of the key differences between Foundayo and many existing GLP-1 weight-management treatments is the way it is taken.

Foundayo is a tablet taken once daily, whereas several established weight-management medicines are administered by injection.

However, medicines should not be selected purely according to whether they are tablets or injections.

Different treatments contain different active ingredients, work in different ways and have different clinical evidence, contraindications, side-effect profiles and dosing schedules.

The most appropriate weight-management treatment should therefore be determined following an individual clinical assessment.

Foundayo vs Mounjaro

Foundayo and Mounjaro are different medicines.

Foundayo contains orforglipron, an oral GLP-1 receptor agonist taken as a daily tablet.

Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which acts on GIP and GLP-1 receptors and is administered by injection.

Foundayo should therefore not be described as an “oral Mounjaro”, and the two medicines should not be considered interchangeable.

Speak to an appropriate healthcare professional if you want to understand which treatment options may be suitable for you.

Foundayo vs Wegovy

Foundayo and Wegovy are also different prescription medicines.

Foundayo contains orforglipron, while Wegovy contains semaglutide.

Although both act on GLP-1 receptors, they are different active ingredients and may have different dosing instructions, clinical evidence, safety considerations and suitability criteria.

Patients should not switch between GLP-1 medicines without medical supervision.