Foundayo for Weight Loss: Everything You Need to Know
Foundayo for Weight Loss: Everything You Need to Know
Foundayo is one of the newest weight-loss treatments available in the UK, and unlike many of the GLP-1 treatments people are already familiar with, Foundayo is a tablet rather than an injection.
Its active ingredient is orforglipron, a GLP-1 receptor agonist developed by Eli Lilly. It was authorised by the MHRA in August 2026 for weight management and type 2 diabetes, making the UK the first country in Europe to approve the treatment.
For people who are interested in GLP-1 weight-management treatment but would prefer not to use injections, Foundayo offers another option.
So how does it work, who may qualify, how effective is it and what should you know before considering it?
What is Foundayo?
Foundayo is a prescription-only daily tablet containing the active ingredient orforglipron.
It belongs to a group of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. This is the same broad class of treatment used by a number of injectable weight-management medicines, but orforglipron has been developed so that it can be taken orally.
Foundayo is authorised for weight loss and weight maintenance alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
How does Foundayo work for weight loss?
GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone involved in appetite and blood-sugar regulation.
Foundayo mimics the effects of GLP-1 and acts on areas involved in appetite regulation. This can help people:
- Feel fuller for longer
- Experience less hunger
- Reduce food cravings
- Eat less overall
For someone who has repeatedly found hunger and appetite difficult to manage while trying to lose weight, this may make maintaining a reduced-calorie diet easier.
Foundayo is not intended to replace healthy eating or physical activity. It is prescribed as part of an overall weight-management approach.
Who can use Foundayo for weight loss?
In the UK, Foundayo is authorised for weight management in adults with an initial:
- BMI of 30 or above, or
- BMI between 27 and 30 with at least one weight-related health condition
Examples of weight-related conditions include type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol or blood-fat levels, obstructive sleep apnoea and cardiovascular disease.
Meeting the BMI criteria does not automatically mean Foundayo will be suitable for you. As a prescription medicine, your medical history, current medication and other health factors need to be reviewed by a qualified prescriber first.
How do you take Foundayo?
One of the main differences between Foundayo and treatments such as weekly weight-loss injections is that Foundayo is taken once a day as a tablet.
It can be taken at any time of the day, with or without food, and there are no special food or water restrictions around taking the dose. The tablet should be swallowed whole.
Treatment normally begins at a lower dose before being increased gradually.
The authorised tablet strengths are:
- 0.8 mg
- 2.5 mg
- 5.5 mg
- 9 mg
- 14.5 mg
- 17.2 mg
The starting dose is 0.8 mg once daily. After at least 30 days, this is normally increased to 2.5 mg. Further increases may then be made at intervals of at least 30 days depending on response and tolerability.
The maximum authorised dose is 17.2 mg once daily.
Not everybody will necessarily need to reach the highest dose. Dose changes should only be made following advice from the prescribing clinician.
How effective is Foundayo for weight loss?
Orforglipron has been studied in large Phase 3 clinical trials.
In the ATTAIN-1 study, people without diabetes who were living with obesity or overweight received different doses of orforglipron alongside diet and physical activity support.
After 72 weeks, average body-weight reductions were approximately:
- 7.8% at the trial dose equivalent to the current 5.5 mg tablet
- 9.3% at the dose equivalent to the current 9 mg tablet
- 12.4% at the dose equivalent to the current 17.2 mg tablet
The placebo group lost approximately 0.9% on average.
Individual results vary significantly, and clinical-trial averages cannot predict how much weight any individual person will lose.
Is Foundayo the same as Mounjaro or Wegovy?
No.
Foundayo, Mounjaro and Wegovy are separate prescription medicines.
Foundayo contains orforglipron and is taken as a daily tablet. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, while Wegovy contains semaglutide.
Although these medicines can all be used as part of weight-management treatment, they are not interchangeable and should not be directly compared simply on the basis of dose.
Which treatment is most appropriate depends on the individual patient and should be decided following clinical assessment.
Foundayo tablets vs weight-loss injections
For some patients, the biggest attraction of Foundayo will simply be that it does not require an injection.
A daily tablet may appeal to people who:
- Do not like needles
- Would prefer an oral medicine
- Find storing or using injection pens inconvenient
- Prefer taking a daily tablet as part of their normal routine
That does not mean a tablet will automatically be the best option for everybody.
Weekly injections may suit some people better, while others may prefer a daily tablet. Suitability, expected benefits, side effects, medical history and patient preference should all be considered.
What are the side effects of Foundayo?
Like all medicines, Foundayo can cause side effects.
The most commonly reported effects are gastrointestinal. These include:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Abdominal discomfort or pain
Clinical studies found that gastrointestinal side effects were generally mild or moderate and were more common while doses were being increased.
Less common but potentially serious side effects can occur, including acute pancreatitis. Anyone taking Foundayo should read the Patient Information Leaflet supplied with the medicine and seek medical advice if they develop concerning symptoms.
Can you take Foundayo during pregnancy?
Foundayo should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
The prescribing information also states that orforglipron may reduce the effectiveness of oral hormonal contraceptives when treatment is started and following dose increases, so this should be discussed with the prescribing clinician.
This is one of the reasons a proper medical assessment is important before starting treatment.
Can you get Foundayo on the NHS?
At the time of writing, Foundayo is not yet routinely available through the NHS for weight management.
Although it has been authorised by the MHRA, NICE is carrying out a separate appraisal to decide whether orforglipron should be recommended for NHS use for managing overweight and obesity. NICE currently lists publication of that guidance for 18 November 2026.
Foundayo can, however, be prescribed privately where a clinician considers it appropriate.
Do you need a prescription for Foundayo?
Yes.
Foundayo is a prescription-only medicine.
You should not buy or use Foundayo without an appropriate clinical assessment and prescription from a qualified healthcare professional.
A proper assessment should consider your BMI, health history, current medication, previous weight-management treatment and any factors which could affect whether Foundayo is appropriate for you.
Is Foundayo right for me?
Foundayo could be an interesting option for people who meet the eligibility criteria for medical weight-management treatment and would prefer a daily tablet rather than an injection.
However, there is no single treatment that is right for everybody.
The best starting point is a clinical assessment so that the available options can be considered based on your individual circumstances.
At Keltoi, weight-management treatment is subject to clinical assessment by a UK prescriber. If treatment is suitable, the clinician can discuss the options available and determine which treatment is appropriate for you.
Treatment is subject to clinical assessment. Prescription medicines are not suitable for everyone.