Jump to:
- How does the Orforglipron Pill work?
- What does the evidence show?
- Who is it suitable for?
- How to take it
- Dosing schedule
- What to expect in the first few weeks
- Potential side effects
- Other medications
- Storing your tablets
- The Orforglipron Pill as part of the CheqUp Method
In the United States it is marketed under the brand name Foundayo. The UK brand name has not yet been confirmed.
The Orforglipron Pill is not yet available in the UK. CheqUp will offer it when it becomes available. Join the waitlist to be among the first to know when it launches.
This guide covers everything you need to know: how the Orforglipron Pill works, who it is suitable for, how to take it and what to expect.
How does Orforglipron Pill work?
The Orforglipron Pill works by binding to and activating GLP-1 receptors in the body. GLP-1 is a hormone your body produces naturally after eating. It signals to your brain that you are full, slows the rate at which your stomach empties and helps regulate blood sugar.
In people living with obesity or excess weight, these signals are often weaker or shorter-lived than they need to be. Orforglipron amplifies them.
What makes orforglipron different from some other oral weight loss tablets is how it is absorbed. It is a non-peptide, small-molecule treatment, which means it does not need an absorption enhancer or a specific fasting routine to reach the bloodstream. The practical effect is that appetite reduces, food feels more satisfying more quickly, and cravings, particularly for calorie-dense foods, can ease over time.
What does the clinical evidence show?
The Orforglipron Pill has been studied in the ATTAIN-1 Phase 3 trial: a 72-week clinical trial in adults with obesity, without diabetes. Results at the highest dose showed:
- Average weight loss of 11.2%
- More than half of participants (54.6%) achieved at least 10% weight loss
- Around one in five participants achieved 20% or more weight loss
A separate Phase 3 study, ATTAIN-MAINTAIN, looked at people switching from injectable GLP-1 treatments to the Orforglipron Pill. Over 52 weeks, the trial demonstrated that orforglipron successfully maintained weight loss after switching, supporting its use as a continuation or step-down option for people who have been on injectable therapy.
Individual results will vary.
Who is the Orforglipron Pill suitable for?
The Orforglipron Pill may be suitable for adults with:
- A BMI of 30 or above, or
- A BMI of 27 or above alongside at least one weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure, pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, fatty liver disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, PCOS or cardiovascular disease
Lower BMI thresholds apply for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean backgrounds, where the health risks associated with excess weight typically occur at a lower BMI.
The Orforglipron Pill is not suitable for everyone. When it becomes available, your CheqUp Clinician will carry out a full clinical assessment before any prescription is issued.
The Orforglipron Pill is not suitable if you:
- Are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning to conceive
- Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or MEN 2
- Have active or a history of pancreatitis
- Have active gallbladder disease
- Have severe kidney impairment (eGFR below 30)
- Have severe liver impairment or a history of liver cirrhosis
- Are currently taking another GLP-1 treatment
- Have type 1 diabetes
- Are under 18
How to take the Orforglipron Pill
Flexible timing
The Orforglipron Pill can be taken at any time of day, with or without food. Simply swallow one tablet whole once a day. The only recommendation is to take it at roughly the same time each day to build a consistent habit.
Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush or chew it.
Also avoid:
- Taking more than one tablet per day
- Breaking, crushing or chewing the tablet
- Taking it alongside another GLP-1 treatment
- Grapefruit juice, which can affect how the medication is absorbed
Orforglipron Pill dosing schedule
The Orforglipron Pill starts at a low dose and increases gradually over around four to five months. This titration period gives your body time to adjust and reduces the likelihood of side effects.
| Steps | Dose | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1: Starter dose | 0.8mg | At least 30 days |
| Step 2: Step up dose | 2.5mg | At least 30 days |
| Step 3: Step up dose | 5.5mg | At least 30 days |
| Step 4: Step up dose | 9mg | At least 30 days |
| Step 5: Maximum dose | 17.2mg | Ongoing |
Your maintenance dose may be 5.5mg, 9mg or 17.2mg depending on your individual response and how well each dose is tolerated. Each dose increase happens only when the previous dose is well tolerated. Do not adjust your dose without speaking to your CheqUp Clinician first.
What to expect in the first few weeks
Appetite reduction tends to build gradually over the first few weeks as the dose increases rather than arriving all at once. This is normal.
Nausea is the most commonly reported side effect of this weight loss tablet and is most likely in the first few weeks and after each dose step-up. Eating smaller, plainer meals, avoiding rich or fatty foods and staying well hydrated can all help. It usually eases as your body adjusts.
Side effects after dose increases may feel more noticeable in the day or two following each step-up. This is expected and typically settles quickly. If a particular dose feels difficult to manage, speak to your CheqUp Clinician. Staying at a lower dose a little longer is always an option.
Your Health Coach is there from the start to help you build the habits that make this weight loss tablet work well. Do not wait until your next clinical review to raise something. That is what your Health Coach calls are for.
Potential side effects of the Orforglipron Pill
Side effects are most common in the first few weeks of taking this weight loss pill and after each dose increase. They tend to ease as your body adjusts. The most common include:
- Nausea
- Constipation or diarrhoea
- Indigestion or heartburn
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Burping or flatulence
- Hair loss (most common in the earlier stages of treatment)
Less commonly, some people experience gallbladder issues or acute pancreatitis. If you develop sudden, severe abdominal pain, seek medical attention promptly.
Staying well hydrated is important throughout, particularly if nausea or vomiting is affecting how much you are drinking.
Other medications to be aware of
Because the Orforglipron Pill slows gastric emptying, it can affect how quickly your stomach absorbs other medications taken at the same time. If you take any medication where consistent absorption matters, such as levothyroxine, warfarin or ciclosporin, make sure your CheqUp Clinician knows before you start. They will advise on timing.
The Orforglipron Pill also interacts with certain medications that affect the CYP3A4 enzyme. These include some antifungals (such as itraconazole and ketoconazole), certain antibiotics (such as clarithromycin), some HIV medications and some antidepressants. Your CheqUp Clinician will review your full medication list at your consultation. If you start any new medication while taking the Orforglipron Pill, let your Clinician know.
Oral contraceptives: the Orforglipron Pill can affect how well an oral contraceptive pill is absorbed, particularly in the early weeks of treatment and after each dose increase. Speak to your Clinician at your consultation. They will advise on whether to add a barrier method or switch to a non-oral method for that period.
Storing your Orforglipron Pill tablets
- Keep tablets in their original blister pack
- Store at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and moisture
- Do not take a tablet that appears damaged or discoloured
The Orforglipron Pill as part of the CheqUp Method
The Orforglipron Pill works best as part of a complete weight health approach. At CheqUp, it is prescribed alongside a healthy diet and regular physical activity. Every member also gets ongoing clinical oversight, a dedicated Health Coach and the Weight Watchers app, free with their membership, giving you daily accountability backed by decades of behavioural science.
The medication creates the conditions. The CheqUp Method helps you make the most of them.
Frequently asked questions about the Orforglipron Pill
Do I need to take the Orforglipron Pill on an empty stomach?
No. The Orforglipron Pill can be taken at any time of day, with or without food. The only recommendation is to take it at roughly the same time each day.
How much weight can you lose with the Orforglipron Pill?
The ATTAIN-1 Phase 3 trial recorded average weight loss of 11.2% over 72 weeks at the highest dose. More than half of participants at that dose achieved at least 10% weight loss, and around one in five achieved 20% or more. Individual results will vary.
What if I miss a dose of the Orforglipron Pill?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember on the same day or the following day. Do not take two doses on the same day to catch up. If you miss seven or more consecutive doses, speak to your CheqUp Clinician before restarting. It is often better to step back down to a lower dose to avoid a return of side effects.
Can I take the Orforglipron Pill if I have type 2 diabetes?
Possibly, depending on your current diabetes medication. Your CheqUp Clinician will review your HbA1c levels and current medications at your consultation.
When will the Orforglipron Pill be available through CheqUp?
The Orforglipron Pill is not yet available in the UK but is coming to CheqUp later this year. Join the waitlist to be among the first to know when it launches.
