Foundayo

Foundayo Weight Loss Tablet

Foundayo is a once-daily weight loss tablet, taken with or without food. Timing does not matter. No injections. US-approved already, a UK launch is anticipated in late 2026.

What is Foundayo?

Foundayo (orforglipron) is a GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly, the same company behind Mounjaro. Most GLP-1 weight loss medications are injections. Foundayo is the first weight loss tablet of its kind. You can take it at any time of day, with or without food.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Foundayo in April 2026, but it is not yet available in the UK. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is expected to review the application in late 2026 or 2027. We will update this page when UK access is confirmed.

Who is Foundayo for?

Foundayo is prescribed in the US to adults with obesity or who are overweight with at least one weight-related condition. That means a BMI above 30, or above 27 with a condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, polycystic ovaries (PCOS), or sleep apnoea.

In the UK, NHS eligibility for GLP-1 weight loss treatments is set by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). It typically requires a higher BMI threshold. Until NICE reviews Foundayo, UK eligibility criteria are not confirmed. Private prescribers may apply different criteria to assess whether you are suitable for support with losing weight.

How does Foundayo work?

Foundayo mimics GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), a gut hormone released after you eat. It dials down hunger and cravings, and slows how quickly your stomach empties. Food sits in the stomach longer, so you feel full sooner and for longer. And it helps steady your blood sugar levels when they rise after eating, by triggering the release of insulin.

Wegovy, Mounjaro and Saxenda already target this pathway. They support weight loss by helping you to eat less. The difference is that Foundayo is a daily pill, not an injection.

How Foundayo works on appetite varies between individuals. Most people report reduced appetite and fewer cravings. This tends to develop gradually rather than appearing straight away. You should combine Foundayo with a healthy, balanced diet and increased physical activity for the best results.

How does the Foundayo pill compare to the Wegovy pill?

Both Foundayo and Wegovy tablets are daily oral GLP-1 weight loss treatments. The main difference between Foundayo vs Wegovy pill is when and how you take them.

The Challenges of Peptide-Based Medications

Until Foundayo, all GLP-1 medicines have been peptides (small proteins). Peptides break down in the stomach. Oral Wegovy uses an absorption enhancer called SNAC to protect the drug from stomach acid. But it requires strict fasting rules to work. An empty stomach, no more than 120mL water and at least 30 minutes before food, drink or taking other medication. Some patients manage this without issue. Others do not.

Why does the Foundayo pill offer more flexibility?

Foundayo is the first non-peptide GLP-1 treatment to receive approval for weight loss. It works differently. No absorption enhancer needed and no fasting rules. Foundayo is a small molecule that the gut can absorb directly.

Even with SNAC and strict fasting rules, the body only absorbs around 1% of each oral Wegovy dose. The rest is lost. Foundayo's smaller structure means the body absorbs around 79% of each dose, which is why it works without fasting or a chemical enhancer.

How effective is Foundayo for weight loss?

In the ATTAIN-1 trial, adults with obesity or overweight took Foundayo for 72 weeks. More than 3,100 adults, without diabetes, took part across nine countries.

Foundayo weight loss results varied by dose:

These figures include everyone who started the trial, whether they completed it or not. Average weight loss rose to 12.4% in people who stayed on the highest dose for the full 72 weeks. Almost half lost at least 10% of their starting body weight on the highest dose. The trial also saw reductions in waist size, cholesterol, blood fats, and blood pressure.

The separate ACHIEVE-4 clinical trial confirmed these improvements. It studied Foundayo in adults with type 2 diabetes, at higher risk of heart disease. It also found reductions in inflammation levels. Results will differ from person to person.

Foundayo compare Oral Wegovy weight loss results

Foundayo 36mg led to an average weight loss of 11.1% over 72 weeks in the ATTAIN-1 trial. In the OASIS 4 trial of oral Wegovy, average weight loss over 64 weeks was around 14%. Both oral treatments produce meaningful weight loss. The difference is convenience: Foundayo does not require fasting or timed dosing.

Although 36mg was the highest dose in the clinical trials, Lilly has confirmed that a 17.2mg dose is bioequivalent to the 36mg dose. This means that results for 17.2mg and 36mg should be very similar.

Foundayo dosage schedule

Foundayo dosage starts at 0.8mg. We increase the dose based on how you respond and how well you tolerate each step. A minimum of 30 days is spent on each strength:

0.8mg → 2.5mg → 5.5mg → 9mg → 14.5mg → 17.2mg (maximum)

Foundayo tablets come in all six strengths. Not everyone reaches the maximum of 17.2mg. The goal is to find the lowest effective dose for you. Some patients get results at 5.5mg or 9mg and stay there. Others stop because side effects outweigh the benefits at higher strengths.

How do I take Foundayo?

Take one tablet once daily. Swallow it whole. Do not break, crush or chew.

You can take it at any time of day, with or without food or water. You do not need to fast before or after dosing. We advise taking FOundayo at the same time each day.

If you miss a dose, take it the same day when remembered. Do not take two tablets in one day. If you've missed seven or more days in a row, seek clinical advice before restarting.

Foundayo Side Effects

Foundayo side effects are similar to what we see with other GLP-1 medications. They mainly affect the gut, a direct result of how these treatments work.

Increasing the dose gradually helps reduce the impact of these side effects. In the ATTAIN-1 trial, 3.5 to 7% of people on higher doses still stopped treatment because of stomach-related side effects. On placebo, that figure was around 0.4%.

If you notice anything unexpected, report side effects to our clinical team or through the Yellow Card scheme.

Common side effects

Nausea is the most common. It tends to be at its worst during the first 4 to 8 weeks of treatment and after each dose increase.

Other common Foundayo side effects include:

• Stomach pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Bloating (gas)
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Tiredness

Some people also experience:

• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Belching
• Hair loss

These are usually mild to moderate. Most ease as your body adjusts to the medicine.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are uncommon but require urgent attention. Stop taking the medicine immediately, and seek urgent medical attention if you experience any of the following:

Who should not take Foundayo?

Do not take Foundayo if you or a close family member has had medullary thyroid carcinoma (a type of thyroid cancer) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

The Foundayo prescribing information includes a boxed warning about thyroid tumours, including cancer. Animal studies have shown this with other GLP-1 medications. Whether the same risk applies to people is not yet known.

Seek medical advice if you are taking Foundayo and notice a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath.

Treatment is also not suitable if you have severe liver impairment or a known serious allergy to orforglipron.

Tell us before starting if you have a history of pancreatitis, kidney problems, delayed stomach emptying, diabetes-related eye disease, or scheduled surgery.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Foundayo may cause harm to an unborn baby. Use reliable contraception during treatment. See the drug interactions section for important information about oral contraceptive pills. Foundayo is not recommended for use during breastfeeding.

Does Foundayo interact with other medicines?

Tell us about all the medicines you take. Some combinations need dose changes or are best avoided.

Certain medicines slow down how your liver breaks down Foundayo. Examples include ketoconazole and clarithromycin. Slowing Foundayo breakdown means increased drug levels in your blood. And increased side effects. If you take one of these, Foundayo prescribing guidancesuggests limiting your dose to 9mg daily. Please speak to our clinical team so we can advise you on the most suitable dose for you. Ensure you advise us of all medications you are currently taking.

Some medicines speed up how your liver processes Foundayo (for example, carbamazepine or rifampicin). This can lower drug levels and make it less effective. We do not generally recommend using these medicines together.

In some cases, Foundayo can affect how well you process other medications:

• Insulin and sulfonylureas (a type of diabetes tablet): combining these with Foundayo may increase hypoglycaemia risk. Your GP or diabetic clinic may need to adjust the dose.
• Simvastatin: Foundayo can increase how much of it reaches your bloodstream. Prescribing guidance recommends keeping simvastatin at 20mg daily or below while on treatment. Let your GP know if you are taking simvastatin and plan to start using Foundayo.
• Oral contraceptive pills: the pill may not work as well while you are on treatment. Use a barrier method or non-oral contraceptive for 30 days after starting and 30 days after each dose increase.

Foundayo slows stomach emptying, which may affect how quickly your body absorbs other oral medicines. We should be aware of all other medicines you take to check for potential interactions with Foundayo.

If you are having surgery or a procedure under general anaesthetic, tell your medical team you take Foundayo. GLP-1 medicines slow stomach emptying. This raises the risk of food or liquid entering the lungs while under sedation.

How should I store Foundayo?

Store Foundayo at room temperature (20–25°C). The tablets are light-sensitive, so it is important to keep them in the original bottle and carton. Place the cap on after use. Keep them away from direct light and out of the reach of children.

How much will Foundayo cost in the UK?

Once the MHRA approves Foundayo, price in the UK will depend on a few things. Eli Lilly will set the list price. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) will decide whether to recommend it for NHS funding. Private prescription services will set their own prices separately.

Sign up for updates to learn when Foundayo becomes available in the UK, including pricing and eligibility guidance.

Key takeaways

• Foundayo is FDA-approved and anticipated in the UK in late 2026 or 2027. The medicine cannot yet be prescribed or bought in the UK.
• One tablet, once a day. No injections and no fasting. In clinical trials, the highest dose led to an average weight loss of 11.1% over 72 weeks.
• Side effects are mainly stomach-related and tend to ease over time. Not everyone tolerates higher doses, and weight loss varies between individuals.

How do I get Foundayo in the UK?

The Foundayo orforglipron tablet is not yet available in the UK. If approved, Foundayo will be a once-daily tablet alternative to injectable GLP-1 treatments.

Join our waitlist, and we will notify you when Foundayo becomes available.

Written by Qualified Experts

All of our medication and condition content is written by UK qualified pharmacists and doctors.

Authored: 04/05/2026

Shereen Amin

GPhC Reg: 2073003

Pharmacist Independent Prescriber & Medical Writer

MPharm | University of Manchester

Medically reviewed: 04/05/2026

Zahra Qureshi

GPhC Reg: 2216331

Senior Pharmacist

MPharm | Strathclyde University

 

References

Foundayo (Orforglipron) Prescribing Information, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026

FDA Approves First New Molecular Entity Under National Priority Voucher Program, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2026

FDA Approves Foundayo (Orforglipron), Eli Lilly and Company, 2026

Orforglipron, an Oral Small-Molecule GLP-1 Receptor Agonist for Obesity Treatment, New England Journal of Medicine, 2025

ACHIEVE-4, the Longest Phase 3 Study of Lilly's Foundayo (Orforglipron) to Date, Eli Lilly and Company, 2026

Orforglipron: A Comprehensive Review of an Oral Small-Molecule GLP-1 Receptor Agonist for Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2026

The Pharmacological Basis for Nonpeptide Agonism of the GLP-1 Receptor by Orforglipron, Science Translational Medicine, 2024

Effect of Food Consumption on the Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Tolerability of Orforglipron, Diabetes Therapy, 2024

Disposition and Absolute Bioavailability of Orally Administered Orforglipron in Healthy Participants, Clinical Pharmacology in Drug Development, 2025

Transcellular Stomach Absorption of a Derivatized Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist, Science Translational Medicine, 2018

Oral Semaglutide 25 mg in Adults with Overweight or Obesity, New England Journal of Medicine, 2025

Wegovy (Semaglutide) Prescribing Information, Novo Nordisk, 2026

Yellow Card Scheme, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency