Foundayo (orforglipron) has recently received MHRA approval for weight management and CheqUp is getting ready to bring it to you. While we prepare, it’s a good time to understand what side effects to expect and how they’re usually managed, so you feel informed from day one.
Like other GLP-1 medicines, Foundayo can cause side effects. The most common are digestive symptoms such as nausea, constipation, diarrhoea and vomiting, particularly during the early weeks of treatment or after a dose increase. For most people, these are mild to moderate and ease as the body adapts. Knowing what’s normal, what can help and when to seek advice can make the early weeks feel much more manageable.
Getting ready for Foundayo
Foundayo has only just been approved in the UK, and our clinical team is finalising how we’ll support you once it’s available. We’ll publish a full guide to taking Foundayo closer to launch. In the meantime, here’s what we know so far about side effects and how they’re usually managed.
Why do side effects happen?
Foundayo is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, though unlike the Wegovy Pill it’s a small, non-peptide molecule and doesn’t rely on the same absorption technology.3 It works in a similar way to other GLP-1 medicines: slowing how quickly food leaves your stomach and reducing appetite. These are the same effects that support weight management, but they also explain why some people notice digestive symptoms in the early weeks.
Everyone responds differently. Some people experience very few side effects, while others notice more as their body adjusts. This is part of why Foundayo is introduced gradually, in six dose steps over several months,2 giving your body time to adapt at each stage before moving to the next.
What the ATTAIN-1 trial showed
In the ATTAIN-1 trial, digestive side effects, including nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, dyspepsia and abdominal pain, were among the most commonly reported, occurring in more than 1 in 10 participants taking Foundayo. Nausea affected more than 1 in 4 people taking Foundayo, and up to 1 in 3 at higher doses, with constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, indigestion and abdominal pain also common. This is a similar pattern to other GLP-1 medicines, including the Wegovy Pill and injectable treatments4,5. As with those medicines, side effects were generally most noticeable around dose increases and tended to ease as treatment continued.
Common side effects and what may help
| Side effect | Self-care tips |
| Nausea | Eat slowly, choose smaller meals, avoid rich or greasy foods and stay hydrated. |
| Vomiting | Sip fluids regularly to stay hydrated and choose simple, easy-to-digest foods until symptoms settle. |
| Constipation | Increase fluids, include fibre-rich foods where tolerated and keep moving throughout the day. |
| Diarrhoea | Stay hydrated and choose simple, easy-to-digest foods until symptoms settle. |
| Dyspepsia (indigestion) | Avoid large meals, eat more slowly and avoid lying down immediately after eating. |
| Abdominal pain or bloating | Smaller meals, regular movement and avoiding overeating may help. Speak to your clinical team if pain is severe or persistent. |
Less common but more serious adverse effects include:
Severe gastrointestinal reactions
Pancreatitis
Gall bladder disorders
Low blood sugar if used with other glucose lowering medicines
Low blood pressure
Dehydration leading to kidney injury
If you suspect you are experiencing any of the above it is important to seek medical attention.
What to eat when side effects are at their worst
Unlike the Wegovy Pill, Foundayo doesn’t need to be taken on an empty stomach, so you have more flexibility around food and timing. That said, when nausea or digestive discomfort is at its most noticeable, typically in the first week of a new dose, what you eat can still make a practical difference. Clinical guidance for GLP-1 medicines generally recommends bland, low-fat foods during periods of stomach upset.
Foods that tend to be well tolerated include:
- Plain rice, oats or toast
- Bananas or soft fruit
- Broth-based soups
- Eggs, grilled chicken or white fish
- Plain Greek yoghurt or cottage cheese
These foods are easier for a slowing digestive system to process and are less likely to trigger or worsen nausea. They’re not a permanent way of eating; they’re a short-term strategy for the days when symptoms feel more disruptive.
As symptoms ease, the aim is to gradually return to a more balanced plate of lean protein, cooked vegetables, wholegrains and soft fruit. Your appetite and tolerance will guide that transition.
Alongside the practical tips above you can take over the counter remedies to help manage your GI symptoms whilst your body adjust to the medication such as: Gaviscon for any reflux, laxatives such as senna or lactulose (short term), loperamide for any loose stools (short term) and pepto-bismol. Check with your clinician before starting any new over-the-counter medicine, especially if you’re pregnant, have kidney or liver problems, or take other medicines. If you see no improvement after using the self care medication listed above then please contact your clinician for more information.
When to speak to your clinical team
Contact your clinical team if you experience:
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea that’s stopping you keeping food or fluids down
- Signs of dehydration, such as dizziness, feeling faint or passing very little urine
- Severe or persistent abdominal pain, particularly if it spreads to your back
- Constipation that isn’t improving with dietary changes
- Sudden changes to your vision
- A lump in your neck, difficulty swallowing or a hoarse voice that doesn’t go away
- Symptoms of low blood sugar, such as shakiness, sweating or confusion, especially if you’re also taking a sulfonylurea for type 2 diabetes
- Any symptoms that concern you or feel unusual
The clinical team can review your symptoms, advise on management and adjust your dose escalation schedule where needed. You do not need to wait until symptoms become severe before reaching out.
If you experience severe or persistent abdominal pain, stop taking your treatment and seek urgent medical advice through NHS 111 or your GP.
You will not have to manage this alone
Side effects can feel disruptive, particularly in the first few weeks of any new treatment. Once Foundayo is available through CheqUp, you won’t be figuring this out on your own. Your Clinician will be there to review your treatment and make adjustments where needed, and your Health Coach can help with practical strategies around food choices and meal timing, in the same way they support you on our other treatments today.
References
- Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. UK first in Europe to authorise orforglipron for weight management and type 2 diabetes. GOV.UK; 10 August 2026.
- Foundayo (orforglipron) film-coated tablets 0.8mg, 2.5mg, 5.5mg, 9mg, 14.5mg and 17.2mg: UK Summary of Product Characteristics, Eli Lilly Nederland B.V. (10 August 2026).
- Wharton S, Aronne LJ, Stefanski A, et al; ATTAIN-1 Trial Investigators. Orforglipron, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity treatment. N Engl J Med. 2025;393(18):1796-1806. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2511774
- Jastreboff AM, Aronne LJ, Ahmad NN, et al; SURMOUNT-1 Investigators. Tirzepatide once weekly for the treatment of obesity. N Engl J Med. 2022;387(3):205-216. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2206038
- Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al; STEP 1 Study Group. Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(11):989-1002. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2032183
