Foundayo (Orforglipron) Tablets

What is Foundayo (Orforglipron)?

Foundayo is a groundbreaking oral weight loss medication manufactured by Eli Lilly, the makers of Mounjaro. Its active ingredient, orforglipron, is a small-molecule, non-peptide GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist. Approved by the MHRA for use in the UK, Foundayo offers a highly effective alternative to weekly injectable treatments like Wegovy and Mounjaro.

It is indicated for adults living with obesity (a Body Mass Index of 30 or above) or overweight adults (a BMI of 27 or above) who also have at least one weight-related condition, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.

How Does Foundayo Work?

Foundayo mimics the action of the GLP-1 hormone naturally produced in your gut after eating. This hormone is responsible for regulating appetite, digestion, and blood sugar levels. By activating GLP-1 receptors in the brain and digestive system, Foundayo:

• Significantly reduces hunger and stops intense cravings.

• Increases feelings of fullness, helping you eat smaller portion sizes.

• Delays gastric emptying, so you stay satisfied for longer after a meal.

• Improves blood glucose control by boosting insulin production when sugar levels are high.

When combined with a reduced-calorie diet and a healthy exercise programme, clinical trials have shown Foundayo can help patients achieve an average weight loss of up to 12.4% over 72 weeks at the highest doses.

The Oral GLP-1 Advantage

Until recently, the most effective GLP-1 weight loss treatments required regular self-injections. Foundayo changes the landscape. It is the perfect option for patients who have a phobia of needles or simply prefer the convenience and discretion of a daily pill. Furthermore, unlike earlier oral GLP-1 medications (such as the oral semaglutide pill), Foundayo does not require you to take it on an empty stomach. It is designed to be taken flexibly—with or without food and water.

Additional information

Directions

Always take Foundayo exactly as your healthcare provider has told you. The dosage is gradually increased over several months to minimise gastrointestinal side effects and allow your body to adjust.

Standard Dosage Schedule (Titration):

• Starting Dose: 0.8 mg taken orally, once daily for the first 30 days.

• Step 2: Increase to 2.5 mg once daily for the next 30 days.

• Step 3: Increase to 5.5 mg once daily for the next 30 days.

• Your prescriber will advise you on further dose escalations (available up to 17.2 mg daily) based on your weight loss progress and how well you tolerate the medication.

How to Take:

• Take one tablet by mouth once a day.

• You can take Foundayo at any time of day, with or without food.

• Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew the tablet, as this affects how the medicine is absorbed.

If you miss a dose: Take it as soon as you remember. However, do not take two doses in the same day. If you miss taking Foundayo for 7 or more consecutive days, contact your healthcare provider to discuss how to safely restart your treatment.

Side Effects

Like all medicines, Foundayo can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The majority of side effects are mild to moderate and tend to settle as your body adjusts to the medication.

Very Common & Common Side Effects (affecting up to 1 in 10 people):

• Nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (being sick)

• Diarrhoea or constipation

• Dyspepsia (indigestion) and acid reflux (GERD)

• Stomach pain or abdominal cramping

• Headaches and fatigue

• Eructation (burping) and flatulence

• Mild hair loss (associated with rapid weight loss)

Severe Side Effects (Seek immediate medical attention):

• Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis): Symptoms include swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, severe rash, breathing difficulties, or a very rapid heartbeat.

• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas): Severe, persistent pain in your stomach area that will not go away, which may radiate to your back, with or without vomiting.

• Gallbladder problems: Pain in the upper stomach, fever, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), or clay-coloured stools.

Important Warnings & Precautions

Do not take Foundayo if you are allergic to orforglipron or any of the ingredients in this medicine.

Consult your doctor or our prescribing pharmacists before taking Foundayo if you:

• Have a personal or family history of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

• Are currently taking other GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines (such as Wegovy, Mounjaro, Ozempic, or Saxenda). Foundayo should not be combined with other GLP-1 treatments.

• Have a history of pancreatitis, kidney problems, or severe gastrointestinal diseases.

• Are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant. You should stop taking Foundayo at least two months before trying to get pregnant.

Drug Interactions: Inform your prescriber of all medicines you take, particularly strong CYP3A4 inhibitors/inducers or medications with a narrow therapeutic index, as Foundayo slows stomach emptying and can affect how other oral medicines are absorbed.

Ingredients

• Active Ingredient: Orforglipron (available in 0.8 mg, 2.5 mg, 5.5 mg, 9 mg, 14.5 mg, and 17.2 mg strengths).

• Inactive Ingredients (Excipients): Please refer to the Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) included in the physical packaging for a full, comprehensive list of inactive excipients and binding agents.

Storage Instructions

• Keep out of the sight and reach of children.

• Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place.

• Keep the tablets in their original blister packaging to protect them from moisture and light.

• Do not use this medicine after the expiry date stated on the carton and blister pack.

• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your local pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer use.

Frequently Asked Questions