A new daily weight loss pill, made by the same pharmaceutical company that makes the Mounjaro jab has been approved for use in the UK.
It’s estimated 8.25 million people in the UK have either taken, are taking or are considering taking GLP-1 weight loss medications, according to a survey by The Food Foundation.
The latest drug, Foundayo, has been approved for treating weight loss as well as type 2 diabetes – making the UK the first country in Europe to green light the treatment for both conditions.
The Eli Lilly pill is the second GLP-1 oral pill approved for use in the UK after Novo’s Wegovy pill in June, but it won’t yet be available on the NHS.
Here, The Independent breaks down everything you need to know about the new weight loss pills.
How does it work?
Orforglipron, sold as Foundayo, is a type of weight loss drug, also known as a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
These types of drugs work by mimicking the natural hormone which regulates blood sugar, appetite and digestion.
They can be prescribed to lower blood sugar in people living with type 2 diabetes, but can also help people to lose weight by reducing food cravings and slow down how quickly food is digested.
Dr Donald Grant, GP at The Independent Pharmacy, said: “Foundayo works in much the same way as injectable GLP-1 medicines, mimicking a hormone the body naturally releases after eating.
“Alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, this can support weight loss over time. For people with type 2 diabetes, it also helps lower blood sugar levels when they’re running high.”
How much will Foundayo cost?
Unlike Novo’s Wegovy pill, Foundayo will only be available privately.
“Whilst this tablet is approved for use in the UK, it is not available currently via the NHS,” the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said.
Foundayo will launch in the UK later this month via private prescription.
According to an Eli Lilly spokesperson, the pill will carry a lower UK list price than Mounjaro, which is listed at £330 for a month’s supply, but did not provide further details on pricing.
How do you take Foundayo?
Foundayo is a pill that can be taken once daily. But it’s main advantage against the Wegovy pill is that it can be taken without food or water restrictions.
In comparison, the Wegovy pill requires patients to take it on an empty stomach with a small amount of water and wait 30 minutes before consuming food, beverages or other medications.
Foundayo, like other weight loss drugs, is also designed to be taken long term but Dr Simon Cork, from Anglia Ruskin University, warned the weight-loss benefits of Foundayo were less than other treatments.
However, he stressed that patients would still see “significant, clinically meaningful changes to their weight”.
What are the side effects?
Although GLP-1 agonists have many benefits, like many drugs, there is a long list of possible side effects.
Nausea, diarrhoea, stomach cramps and vision problems are just some of the side effects listed in guidance by NICE.
However, they can also cause fatigue, drowsiness, headaches and hair loss.