For many people considering medical weight management, the idea of weekly injections can be one of the biggest barriers to starting treatment.
Now there is another option.
Foundayo® (orforglipron) is a new once-daily weight management tablet that works on the GLP-1 pathway – offering an alternative for suitable patients who would prefer an oral medication rather than an injectable treatment.
But how does Foundayo work, how effective is it, and how does it compare with treatments such as Mounjaro and Wegovy?
Here’s what you need to know.
What is Foundayo?
Foundayo is the brand name for orforglipron, a GLP-1 receptor agonist used for weight management.
GLP-1 medications have transformed medical weight management over recent years, with treatments such as Wegovy and Mounjaro helping many patients achieve significant and sustainable weight loss when used alongside appropriate dietary and lifestyle changes.
The major difference with Foundayo is simple:
It comes as a tablet rather than an injection.
Foundayo is taken once daily and can be taken with or without food, without the fasting or water restrictions associated with some other oral GLP-1 medicines.
This may make it an attractive option for patients who would like medical support with weight loss but would prefer not to use injections.
How does Foundayo work?
Foundayo works by targeting receptors for a naturally occurring hormone called GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1).
GLP-1 plays an important role in appetite regulation.
By activating GLP-1 receptors, Foundayo can help to:
- reduce appetite
- increase feelings of fullness after eating
- reduce hunger and cravings
- make it easier to eat smaller portions
- support better control over food intake
One of the things patients frequently describe when taking GLP-1 medication is a reduction in what has become known as “food noise” – the persistent thoughts about food, snacking or what to eat next.
By helping to regulate appetite, treatment can make it easier to implement sustainable changes to eating habits.
How effective is Foundayo for weight loss?
Clinical studies of orforglipron have demonstrated significant weight loss.
In a major clinical trial, people receiving the highest dose lost approximately 11% of their starting body weight on average over 72 weeks, alongside diet and physical activity.
It is important to remember that this is an average. Some people will lose considerably more, while others may lose less.
Medical weight management should therefore never be viewed as simply taking a medication and expecting a predetermined amount of weight loss.
At Aeternum, we look at the whole picture – including your health, nutrition, lifestyle, progress and long-term weight-management goals.
Foundayo vs Mounjaro – what’s the difference?
This is likely to be one of the biggest questions for patients.
Both medications can support weight loss, but they work slightly differently.
Foundayo is a GLP-1 receptor agonist and is taken as a daily tablet.
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) targets both GIP and GLP-1 receptors and is administered as a once-weekly injection.
Clinical trials of Mounjaro have generally demonstrated greater average weight loss than has currently been demonstrated with Foundayo.
That doesn’t automatically mean Mounjaro is the best choice for everyone.
The most appropriate medication depends on several factors, including your medical history, previous treatments, weight-loss goals, side effects, lifestyle and personal preferences.
For somebody who strongly prefers not to inject, for example, a daily oral treatment may be particularly appealing.
What about Foundayo vs Wegovy?
Wegovy is another GLP-1 treatment used for weight management.
Injectable Wegovy contains semaglutide and is normally administered once weekly.
Foundayo works on the same GLP-1 pathway but contains a different active ingredient – orforglipron – and is taken orally every day.
Again, there isn’t one medication that is automatically “best”.
The aim should always be to find the treatment that is safe, clinically appropriate and sustainable for the individual patient.
How do you take Foundayo?
Foundayo is taken once a day.
One of its advantages is flexibility: it can be taken with or without food and does not require a specific fasting period.
Treatment starts at a lower dose and is gradually increased according to the recommended dosing schedule and your clinical response.
Increasing medication gradually is important because it gives your body time to adjust and can help to minimise side effects.
You should never increase your dose more quickly than advised by your prescriber.
Does Foundayo have side effects?
Like all medicines, Foundayo can cause side effects.
The most commonly reported side effects are gastrointestinal and may include:
- nausea
- diarrhoea
- constipation
- vomiting
- indigestion or abdominal discomfort
These types of symptoms are also commonly associated with other GLP-1 treatments and may be more noticeable when starting treatment or increasing the dose.
This is one of the reasons appropriate medical assessment and ongoing clinical support are so important.
Medication should not simply be viewed as a product to purchase online. It is a prescription-only treatment that needs to be appropriate for your individual health circumstances.
Who might Foundayo be suitable for?
Foundayo may be an option for adults who meet the clinical criteria for medical weight management.
However, BMI alone does not determine whether a particular medication is appropriate.
Before prescribing weight-loss medication, your clinician should consider factors including:
- your current weight and BMI
- existing medical conditions
- medications you currently take
- previous weight-management treatments
- potential contraindications
- side-effect risk
- your personal goals and expectations
Not everybody will be suitable for Foundayo, and another treatment may sometimes be more appropriate.
Can I switch from Mounjaro or Wegovy to Foundayo?
Potentially, but switching between weight-management medications should always be discussed with a qualified prescriber.
If you’ve successfully lost weight using Mounjaro or Wegovy, you may be wondering whether a tablet could eventually form part of your longer-term maintenance strategy.
This is an area we expect to generate significant interest.
However, switching isn’t simply a matter of stopping one medication and starting another. Your current dose, progress, side effects, medical history and treatment goals all need to be considered.
A clinician can discuss the available options with you and determine the safest and most appropriate approach.
Weight loss is only part of the journey
At Aeternum, our approach to medical weight management has never been about simply supplying weight-loss medication.
Medication can be an incredibly useful tool, but successful long-term weight management also involves understanding nutrition, preserving muscle mass, developing sustainable eating habits and having a plan for maintaining your results.
This becomes particularly important as you approach your target weight.
The goal isn’t simply:
“How quickly can I lose weight?”
A much better question is:
“How can I lose weight safely and build a strategy that helps me maintain it?”
Is Foundayo right for me?
Foundayo represents an exciting development in medical weight management, particularly for people looking for an alternative to injectable GLP-1 treatments.
But newer doesn’t automatically mean better, and the right treatment will be different for every patient.
If you’re considering medical weight management, our clinical team can assess your health, discuss the different treatment options available and help you decide which approach is most appropriate for you.
Medical Weight Management at Aeternum Aesthetics
Our medically led weight-management service provides personalised treatment alongside ongoing clinical and lifestyle support.
Whether you’re considering Foundayo, Mounjaro, Wegovy or simply want to understand your options, your journey starts with an individual assessment.
Ready to find out which weight-management treatment could be right for you?
