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\n\t\tIt could work out a fair whack cheaper, but results aren\u2019t quite as dramatic as jabs (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tIt could work out a fair whack cheaper, but results aren\u2019t quite as dramatic as jabs (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a new kid on the block when it comes to weight loss treatments<\/a> \u2014 and it\u2019s set to give jabs a run for their money.<\/p>\n This week, the UK became the first country in Europe to\u00a0approve the use of orforglipron \u2014 branded as Foundayo \u2014 for weight management\u00a0and\u00a0type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n Made by Mounjaro<\/a> manufacturer Eli Lilly, it\u2019s one of two GLP-1 pills<\/a> to receive Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) authorisation.<\/p>\n But while it\u2019s got the go-ahead to be sold via private prescription, there\u2019s no indication of whether Foundayo will be offered via the NHS.<\/p>\n Still, many experts are optimistic about the drug, with Dr Simon Cork, senior lecturer in physiology at Anglia Ruskin University, describing it as a \u2018big step forward in the treatment of obesity.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tAsk Metro<\/p>\n Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about \u2013 powered by Metro and trusted publications.<\/p>\n Glasgow University Professor of Metabolic Medicine, Naveed Sattar, added: \u2018The arrival of another effective oral option is a positive development and should help more people access treatment that best suits their needs and preferences.\u2019<\/p>\n How does Foundayo work?<\/p>\n Like semaglutide and tirzepatide (the active ingredients in Mounjaro, Wegovy and Ozempic<\/a>), orforglipron\u00a0is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which mimics a naturally occurring hormone, glucagon-like peptide released by the body after eating \u2014 just in the form of a pill<\/a> to be taken once a day.<\/p>\n \t\t According to the MHRA, it \u2018acts on areas of the brain that regulate appetite, helping people feel fuller for longer, reducing hunger and decreasing food cravings.\u2019<\/p>\n At the same time, the medication regulates blood sugar, making it an effective treatment \u2018for patients with\u00a0insufficiently controlled\u00a0type 2 diabetes.\u2019<\/p>\n Who is it for?<\/p>\n Foundayo is licensed for adults with insufficiently controlled diabetes, a BMI of 30 or above, or a BMI of between 27 and 30 and at least one weight-related comorbidity such as high blood pressure, heart disease, or obstructive sleep apnoea.<\/p>\n Dr Earim Chaudry, chief medical officer of Voy<\/a>, tells Metro that people trialled on the highest dose of Foundayo lost an average of 12.4% of their body weight over 72 weeks, with around 1 in 5 participants without diabetes losing at least 20%.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tWhat is your opinion on the new weight loss pill Foundayo?<\/p>\n It sounds promising.Check<\/p>\n It’s just another expensive treatment.Check<\/p>\n I’d rather see non-pharmaceutical solutions promoted.Check<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tSign up to Metro’s The Slice newsletter for your guide to what’s on in London, with trusted reviews, offers and giveaways.<\/p>\n Although results aren\u2019t quite as dramatic as with jabs (Mounjaro users lose on average 22.5%) he says the pills can be a good alternative for \u2018people who\u2019ve been put off other weight loss medications, either because of needle anxiety<\/a> or the food restrictions that some oral options require.\u2019<\/p>\n \u2018Unlike the Wegovy pill, it can be taken at any time of day, with or without food, which offers more flexibility for people who want that,\u2019 Dr Chaudry adds.<\/p>\n Common side effects<\/p>\n The MHRA lists the\u00a0most common side effects<\/a>\u00a0for those taking orforglipron as nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, indigestion,\u00a0and abdominal pain.<\/p>\n Dr Chaudry notes that this is \u2018consistent with other GLP-1 weight loss medications\u2019, adding: \u2018Stomach issues are common early on with this class of medicine, and tend to settle down as the body gets used to the medication and the dose, especially alongside small lifestyle adjustments.\u2019<\/p>\n Anyone who suspects they\u2019re having a side effect from this medicine is encouraged to talk to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse, and report it directly to the Yellow Card scheme<\/a>.<\/p>\n How much does it cost?<\/p>\n While exact pricing may differ when Foundayo becomes available to buy later this month, Dr Simon Cork says it\u2019s \u2018likely to be much cheaper than currently available medications.\u2019<\/p>\n Simple Online Pharmacy currently estimates a monthly supply will cost between \u00a3100 and \u00a3117, depending on dosage, but for those who sign up for a six-month plan with Voy, it\u2019ll start from \u00a369 each month.<\/p>\n In comparison, a minimum dose of Mounjaro currently comes in at \u00a3130 to \u00a3225 per month (not including introductory subscription discounts), with maintenance doses costing up to \u00a3359.<\/p>\n Wegovy jabs can work out slightly more affordable on the lower end, starting from around \u00a385 for a 0.25mg dose. If you\u2019re on the maximum 7.2mg however, you\u2019re looking at anywhere between \u00a3200 and \u00a3400 for a month\u2019s worth.<\/p>\n Do you have a story you\u2019d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Lilly_OFG_Tablet_G1_TopView_JPG-e1786466240744.jpg\")
\n\t\tFoundayo is an orforglipron drug made by Mounjaro manufacturer Eli Lilly (Picture: Eli Lilly)<\/p>\n
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