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Foundayo (orforglipron) is an oral GLP-1 medicine authorised in the UK for weight management in eligible adults.
If you're researching how Foundayo works, what clinical trials have shown or how it differs from injectable treatments, you'll find answers to common questions below.
Foundayo is the brand name for orforglipron, a prescription-only GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly.
It is available as a once-daily tablet and is authorised in the UK for weight management in eligible adults, as well as for treating certain adults with type 2 diabetes.
For weight management, it is intended to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Foundayo activates GLP-1 receptors, which are involved in regulating appetite and blood glucose levels.
By acting on pathways that influence hunger and fullness, it can help reduce appetite and food intake. This may support weight loss when combined with appropriate dietary and lifestyle changes.
Foundayo is an oral medication taken as a tablet once daily.
Unlike injectable GLP-1 treatments, it does not require needles or injections. The tablets should be swallowed whole rather than crushed, broken or chewed.
Yes. Foundayo received authorisation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) on 10 August 2026.
However, regulatory approval does not guarantee availability through every pharmacy or private healthcare provider. Patients should check with their chosen provider for current availability
For weight management, Foundayo is authorised for adults with a body mass index (BMI) of:
A healthcare professional must assess individual suitability before prescribing. Meeting the BMI requirements does not automatically mean treatment is appropriate.
Yes. Foundayo is also authorised in the UK to improve blood glucose control in adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes, alongside diet and exercise.
It may be prescribed alone or in combination with certain other diabetes medicines, depending on the patient's clinical circumstances.
Yes. Foundayo has a separate weight-management indication for eligible adults, so a diagnosis of diabetes is not required for that purpose.
A prescriber must still confirm that you meet the relevant criteria and that treatment is suitable.
You should not combine Foundayo with another GLP-1 treatment or weight-loss medicine unless an appropriately qualified prescriber has specifically assessed and advised on the combination.
Taking multiple treatments together can increase the risk of adverse effects, and some combinations have not been adequately studied.
Foundayo is taken once daily.
Treatment starts at a lower dose, with increases made gradually according to the prescribed schedule, treatment response and tolerability.
You should always follow your prescriber's instructions rather than adjusting your dose yourself.
The UK-authorised Foundayo tablets are available in six strengths:
0.8 mg, 2.5 mg, 5.5 mg, 9 mg, 14.5 mg and 17.2 mg.
The usual starting dose is 0.8 mg once daily. Dose increases may be made after at least 30 days at the current dose, depending on the prescribed treatment plan. The maximum authorised daily dose is 17.2 mg.
No. Foundayo can be taken with or without food, at any time of day, without specific restrictions around water.
This differs from some other oral GLP-1 medicines that require particular administration conditions.
According to the UK prescribing information, if you miss a dose, you should resume dosing as soon as possible.
Do not take more than one Foundayo tablet in a day to make up for a missed dose. If you're unsure what to do, contact your pharmacist or prescriber.
Clinical trials have shown that orforglipron can support weight reduction in eligible adults.
In the 72-week ATTAIN-1 study, participants receiving the highest studied dose lost an average of approximately 11.2% of their starting body weight using the treatment-regimen analysis, compared with approximately 2.1% in the placebo group.
These are group averages from a clinical study, not predictions of individual results. Outcomes depend on factors including treatment response, dose, tolerability and lifestyle.
Foundayo begins acting on GLP-1 receptors after administration, but noticeable changes in appetite and body weight may take time.
Weight loss generally develops over weeks and months rather than immediately. Treatment response varies, and regular clinical reviews help determine whether the medicine remains appropriate.
Weight regain can occur after stopping weight-management medication, particularly if appetite increases or previous eating habits return.
Long-term weight management may involve continued lifestyle support and, where clinically appropriate, ongoing medication. Any decision to stop or change treatment should be discussed with your prescriber.
Foundayo, Mounjaro and Wegovy are different prescription medicines with different active ingredients, administration methods and clinical evidence.
Foundayo is taken orally, while the commonly used weight-management formulations of Mounjaro and Wegovy are administered by injection.
Results from separate clinical trials cannot establish which treatment is better for an individual. The most suitable option depends on medical history, treatment goals, tolerability and a clinician's assessment.
The most commonly reported side effects include nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, indigestion and abdominal pain.
These effects are often more noticeable during dose increases and may improve over time. However, some people experience more severe or persistent symptoms that require medical attention.
Acute pancreatitis has been reported in people receiving orforglipron.
Symptoms may include severe, persistent abdominal pain, sometimes spreading to the back, with or without vomiting. Seek urgent medical attention if these symptoms develop.
Hair loss has been reported as a side effect of Foundayo.
Hair shedding can also occur following substantial or rapid weight loss, so it isn't always possible to attribute it directly to the medicine.
If you notice persistent or significant hair loss, discuss it with your healthcare professional.
Foundayo should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
The UK prescribing information advises stopping Foundayo at least three weeks before a planned pregnancy. It may also reduce the effectiveness of oral hormonal contraceptives, so additional or alternative contraception is recommended for 30 days after starting treatment and after each dose increase.
Discuss pregnancy plans and contraception with your prescriber before treatment.
No. Foundayo is not suitable for everyone, even when the BMI eligibility criteria are met.
A healthcare professional will consider medical history, current medicines, potential interactions and relevant health conditions. Particular caution may be required for people with a history of pancreatitis or severe gastrointestinal disease.
Yes. Foundayo is a prescription-only medicine in the UK.
It must be prescribed following an appropriate clinical assessment and supplied through a legitimate pharmacy.
Foundayo has received UK regulatory authorisation, but this does not automatically make it available through the NHS.
At the time of the MHRA's August 2026 announcement, it was not available through the NHS. Access will depend on subsequent NHS commissioning and NICE decisions. Patients should check current NHS guidance for updates.
The cost of private treatment may depend on the prescribed dose, provider and any associated clinical services.
Patients should review the current pricing and treatment arrangements with their healthcare provider before proceeding.
You can read the UK-approved patient information leaflet and prescribing information for Foundayo, or speak with a qualified healthcare professional about its suitability.
For general information about weight management, visit our Weight Loss page.
