Foundayo (Orforglipron)

How to take Foundayo

Foundayo is taken as one tablet once daily and can be taken at any time of day, with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole, with water if needed, and do not break, crush or chew it. Do not take more than one Foundayo tablet per day.

There are no specific fasting or water restrictions when taking Foundayo, so the dose does not need to be scheduled around meals. Taking it at a consistent time each day may also help you remember your daily dose.

Always follow the dosing instructions provided by our clinician and the patient information leaflet.

Foundayo side effects

Like all medicines, Foundayo tablets can cause side effects, although not everyone will experience them. Nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting are most common when starting orforglipron and tend to decrease over time in most people.

Very common side effects (may affect more than 1 in 10 people) include:

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Indigestion (dyspepsia)
• Abdominal pain
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) when Foundayo tablet is used with insulin, with or without certain other diabetes medicines

Common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people) include:

• Low blood sugar when used with a sulfonylurea alone or alongside other type 2 diabetes medicines
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Fast pulse
• Low blood pressure
• Abdominal bloating
• Burping
• Reflux or heartburn
• Gas (flatulence)
• Gallstones
• Hair loss
• Tiredness
• Increased levels of pancreatic enzymes, such as lipase and amylase, in the blood

Uncommon side effects (may affect up to 1 in 100 people) include:

• Low blood sugar when orforglipron is used without insulin or a sulfonylurea
• An unusual sense of taste
• An unpleasant or abnormal sensation when touched
• Acute pancreatitis, which can cause severe and persistent pain in the stomach and back and requires immediate medical attention.

Some serious orforglipron side effects have also been reported where the frequency is not known. These include sudden changes in vision, bowel obstruction, severe constipation, serious allergic reactions and kidney problems. Seek medical advice promptly if you develop severe or concerning symptoms.

See the Foundayo patient information leaflet for the complete list of side effects and safety information.

How long do Foundayo side effects last?

Common Foundayo side effects may last from a few days to a few weeks, although this can vary between individuals. Nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting are more common when first starting treatment and may also occur around dose increases. These effects often improve as your body adjusts to the medicine.

If side effects persist, become worse or are difficult to manage, speak to our clinician for advice.

What to do if you get Foundayo side effects

Some common digestive side effects may be managed with simple changes to your diet and daily routine:

• Nausea: Try smaller, more frequent meals and avoid foods that make your symptoms worse.
• Vomiting: Take small, regular sips of water to help prevent dehydration and seek medical advice if you cannot keep fluids down.
• Diarrhoea: Drink plenty of fluids to replace the water your body loses and help prevent dehydration.
• Constipation: Keep well hydrated, gradually increase dietary fibre where appropriate and remain physically active.
• Indigestion: Eating smaller meals and avoiding foods that trigger your symptoms may help.

Speak to a healthcare professional before taking medicines to manage orforglipron side effects if you are unsure whether they are suitable alongside Foundayo.

When to seek medical help

Some Foundayo side effects require prompt medical attention. Contact a healthcare professional immediately if you develop symptoms of a serious reaction or complication, including:

• Acute pancreatitis: Severe, persistent stomach pain that may spread to your back.
• Sudden changes in vision: Sudden loss of vision or a noticeable change in your eyesight.
• Bowel obstruction: Severe stomach pain, abdominal swelling or bloating, vomiting, or being unable to pass stool or wind.
• Severe constipation: Difficulty opening your bowels, particularly with significant stomach pain or bloating.
• Serious allergic reaction: Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, dizziness or weakness.
• Kidney problems or severe dehydration: Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea may cause significant fluid loss and affect kidney function.

Tell your doctor, anaesthetist or other healthcare professional that you are taking Foundayo before any surgery or procedure requiring anaesthesia or deep sedation.

Foundayo warnings

Foundayo may not be suitable for everyone. Before starting treatment, tell our clinician about any medical conditions you have so they can determine whether the medicine is appropriate for you.

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

Before taking Foundayo, tell our clinician if you:

• Have or have previously had pancreatitis
• Take insulin or a sulfonylurea for diabetes, as this can increase the risk of low blood sugar. You may need to monitor your blood glucose as instructed by our clinician, and your diabetes medicine dose may need to be adjusted.
• Have severe problems with digestion or severe gastroparesis
• Have kidney problems, as vomiting or diarrhoea may lead to dehydration
• Take medicines for high blood pressure, as low blood pressure can occur
• Have gallbladder problems
• Have diabetic retinopathy, macular oedema or other problems with your eyes or vision
• Are due to have surgery requiring anaesthesia
• Have or have previously had severe heart failure

Do not use Foundayo during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you are planning a pregnancy, speak to our clinician about changing your treatment, as Foundayo tablets should be stopped at least three weeks beforehand.

Foundayo and other medications

Tell our clinician about any medicines you are taking, have recently taken or may take while using Foundayo. Some medicines can change the amount of orforglipron in your blood, while Foundayo can also affect how certain other medicines work.

Medicines that may increase the concentration of Foundayo in your blood include:

• Clarithromycin, used to treat bacterial infections
• Itraconazole or ketoconazole, used to treat fungal infections
• Ritonavir or telaprevir, used to treat viral infections

Medicines that may reduce the amount of Foundayo in your blood include:

• Carbamazepine or phenytoin, used to treat seizures
• Bosentan, used to treat pulmonary hypertension
• Efavirenz, used to treat viral infections
• Rifampicin, used to treat bacterial infections
• St John's wort, a herbal product used for depression and anxiety

Foundayo may also increase the amount of certain medicines in your blood, including simvastatin and rosuvastatin, which are used to lower cholesterol, and topotecan, which is used to treat certain cancers. The clinician can advise whether additional monitoring or changes to your treatment are required.

Orforglipron pill may reduce the effectiveness of oral hormonal contraceptives. If you use oral contraception, you should consider using an additional barrier method, such as a condom, or switching to a non-oral contraceptive method for 30 days after starting the Foundayo pill and for 30 days after each dose increase.

Foundayo alternatives

Foundayo is one of several prescription weight management treatments available in the UK. These options vary in their formulation, active ingredient, dosing schedule and mechanism of action.

Please note: *The weight-loss results are taken from separate clinical trials with different participants, doses, study designs and analysis methods. They are not direct head-to-head comparisons, and individual results can vary.

Foundayo vs Wegovy pill

Foundayo and the Wegovy pill are both once-daily GLP-1 medicines authorised for weight management, but they contain different active ingredients. Foundayo contains orforglipron, a non-peptide small molecule, while the Wegovy pill contains semaglutide, a peptide-based GLP-1 receptor agonist.

The main practical difference is how they are taken. Foundayo can be taken once daily at any time, with no food or water restrictions. The Wegovy pill must be taken on an empty stomach with a small amount of water, followed by a 30-minute wait before eating, drinking or taking other oral medicines.

Foundayo vs Mounjaro

Foundayo and Mounjaro are both developed by Eli Lilly but differ in their active ingredients, formulation and mechanism of action. Foundayo tablet contains orforglipron and is taken as a once-daily tablet, while Mounjaro contains tirzepatide and is administered as a once-weekly injection.

Foundayo binds to GLP-1 receptors, whereas Mounjaro targets both GIP and GLP-1 receptors, making it a dual receptor agonist. Both treatments can help regulate appetite and increase feelings of fullness, but the most appropriate option will depend on individual treatment needs and clinical suitability.

Foundayo vs Wegovy

Foundayo and Wegovy are both GLP-1 receptor agonists used for weight management, but they contain different active ingredients and are taken differently. Foundayo tablet contains orforglipron and is taken as a once-daily tablet, while Wegovy contains semaglutide and is administered as a once-weekly injection.

Both treatments act on GLP-1 receptors involved in appetite regulation and feelings of fullness. The main practical difference is their formulation and dosing schedule, with Foundayo providing a daily oral option and Wegovy providing a weekly injectable option.

Switching to Foundayo from other weight loss treatments

If you are already using Mounjaro, Wegovy injection or Wegovy pill, you may be able to switch to Foundayo without necessarily beginning at the lowest 0.8 mg dose. The appropriate starting dose depends on your current treatment and dose.

Switching should always be assessed by a clinician. Do not use the dose information below to change treatment yourself.

Can you switch from Mounjaro to Foundayo?

Yes, switching from Mounjaro to Foundayo may be possible. Your starting Foundayo dose can depend on the Mounjaro dose you are currently taking.

Current Mounjaro dose	Foundayo dose
2.5 mg weekly	0.8 mg daily
5 mg weekly	2.5 mg daily
7.5 mg weekly	2.5 mg daily
10 mg weekly	5.5 mg daily
12.5 mg weekly	9 mg daily
15 mg weekly	9 mg daily

Can you switch from Wegovy Injection to Foundayo?

Yes, moving from a weekly Wegovy injection to daily Foundayo tablets may be possible. The Foundayo dose can vary according to your current Wegovy strength.

Current Wegovy injection dose	Foundayo dose
0.25 mg weekly	0.8 mg daily
0.5 mg weekly	0.8 mg daily
1 mg weekly	2.5 mg daily
1.7 mg weekly	5.5 mg daily
2.4 mg weekly	9 mg daily
7.2 mg weekly	9 mg daily

Foundayo may provide an alternative for people who prefer a daily tablet rather than a weekly injection.

Can you switch from Wegovy Pill to Foundayo?

Yes, switching from the Wegovy pill to Foundayo may be possible. Your starting Foundayo dose can depend on the Wegovy pill strength you are currently taking.

Current Wegovy pill dose	Foundayo dose
1.5 mg daily	0.8 mg daily
4 mg daily	0.8 mg daily
9 mg daily	2.5 mg daily
25 mg daily	5.5 mg daily

One practical difference is that Foundayo can be taken on a full or empty stomach without specific food or water restrictions.

Please note: Switching doses vary between individuals. Do not switch treatments or change your dose unless advised by a clinician.

Switching to Foundayo: Visual guide to dose changes

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Is Foundayo available to buy in the UK?

Yes, Foundayo is now available in the UK. It can be accessed privately through regulated healthcare providers, including Mayfair Weight Loss Clinic, subject to clinical assessment and prescription. NHS access is considered separately through the NICE evaluation and commissioning process.

Please note: Avoid buying Foundayo tablets from unregulated or unauthorised online sellers.