Foundayo (Orforglipron): What you need to know

Foundayo is a weight loss treatment that is being developed by Lilly with the active ingredient orforglipron. Foundayo is a daily pill and GLP-1 medication. 

It is currently not available in the UK.

On this page, we’ll cover:

• What is Foundayo?
• How does Foundayo work?
• The most popular questions about Foundayo?

What is Foundayo?

Foundayo tablets contain orforglipron. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have approved this medication for use in the UK to manage weight loss and help control type 2 diabetes. It is not available in the UK, or on LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor.

How effective is orforglipron?

Clinical trials showed that patients on the highest dose of orforglipron were able to lose weight over 72 weeks compared to placebo, though this was done alongside several healthy lifestyle changes (like increased exercise and healthier diet) which would have also contributed.

When will Foundayo be available in the UK?

Foundayo was authorised for use in the UK by the MHRA in August 2026. It is not available for prescription.

How does Foundayo work?

Orforglipron, the active ingredient in Foundayo, is a GLP-1 receptor agonist – it mimics the GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1) hormone, which is normally released after eating. This causes your body to react as it would with the natural hormone:

• Affecting blood sugar levels
• Slowing digestion
• Feeling fuller for longer, leading to a lower appetite

Orforglipron should be taken alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased regular exercise.

Who can take Foundayo?

Foundayo is a prescription-only medicine (POM). You can only be prescribed Foundayo if it has been considered an appropriate treatment for you by a clinician. Foundayo is not suitable for everyone.

According to the patient information leaflet, Foundayo should be used alongside a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults with either:

• A BMI of 30 kg/m² or greater
• A BMI of at least 27 kg/m² but less than 30 kg/m² with at least one ‘weight related health problem) like high blood pressure or history of heart attack / stroke
  

Foundayo side effects

In Lilly’s trials for orforglipron, side effects were mostly gastrointestinal and generally mild to moderate. The most common of these were:

• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Dyspepsia
• Constipation
• Vomiting

In the trial, three doses of orforglipron were tested (3mg, 12mg and 36mg, alongside a placebo). Generally, patients on the higher doses saw a higher rate of adverse events, though patients on 12mg experienced more nausea, dyspepsia and constipation than those on 36mg (although this was only by several percent).

Foundayo FAQs

Where can I get Foundayo?