The Ultimate Guide to Foundayo UK

Posted on September 2, 2026 by Sally-Anne Turner

The Ultimate Guide to Foundayo UK

After what seems like a wait that has lasted an eternity, it is finally here! The second GLP-1 oral medication in the UK, Foundayo, is the new weight loss pill going on sale in private clinics and via online pharmacies.

Composed of a slightly different protein to the Wegovy pill (semaglutide tablets), this medication has fewer adherence restrictions but does have some side effects and contraindications with other medications. And, as always, we are here to walk you through them, to help you decide whether this could be the right weight loss medication for you.

When you are trying to lose weight with medication, you need something a bit more targeted than a prescription after a short consultation. At the Bodyline Clinic, our clinical team has over 18 years of experience helping people around the UK to lose weight successfully. We can tailor your weight loss journey to your needs, and we have the medical insight to offer specialised care to groups who are often rejected from online pharmacies for GLP-1 treatments.

What is Foundayo?

The long-awaited Eli Lilly weight loss pill, or Foundayo, is the brand name for orforglipron. It is an oral GLP-1 agonist.

Different from semaglutide UK, the orforglipron weight loss pill is a small-molecule, non-peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist. In simple terms, it binds to and activates the GLP-1 receptor. As you may know from our “Ultimate Guide to the Wegovy Pill” piece, this is a receptor that is involved in appetite regulation, and so this medication will help to reduce food noise and help you to feel fuller for longer. This medication is also great for improving blood-glucose control and increasing glucose-dependent insulin secretion.

To clarify here, Foundayo tablets are NOT an oral version of Mounjaro. Both are manufactured by Eli Lilly, but Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, which is both a GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist. At the time of writing, there is no oral tirzepatide medication. So, if you see that advertised online, don’t buy it, as it is likely black market!

When is Foundayo available in the UK?

Foundayo weight loss pills are already available in the UK, through private weight loss clinics, like the Bodyline Clinic and online pharmacies.

It is not currently available on the NHS. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is predicting that it will publish its final guidance and decision on Foundayo (orforglipron UK) for weight management on 18 November 2026. So, watch this space for any news on that!

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) authorised orforglipron on 10 August 2026 for:

1. weight management, including both weight loss and weight maintenance.
2. improving glycaemic control in adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes.*

*A note here. At the Bodyline Clinic, we do not offer this medication for treatment of diabetes.

Foundayo is a prescription-only medicine (POM). To get access to this, patients who want to take it will need to undergo an assessment from a healthcare professional before it can be prescribed. For insight, we have written some blogs on the patient journey with GLP-1’s, which you can check out.

Before getting access to Foundayo, your clinical team should assess your:

1. Body mass index, or BMI. You can calculate this with a BMI calculator.
2. Your general health.
3. Weight-related conditions.
4. Your medical history.
5. Current medication.
6. Previous weight loss attempts.

In the UK, to access Foundayo for weight loss, the MHRA states that a person must have:

1. BMI of 30 kg/m° or above, or
2. BMI of 27–29.9 kg/m° with at least one weight-related comorbidity.*

* Weight-related comorbidities can include type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea and cardiovascular disease.

How much does Foundayo cost?

It’s brand new; it seems amazing: how much does it cost?

Good question! Orforglipron price per month will vary based on where you get it from and the level of clinical care that is needed. As before, it’s not currently available on the NHS.

However, with higher levels of monitoring, the cost will likely be higher. Even if you tick all the boxes for eligibility, it is safer to have additional monitoring to keep you healthy as you go through this treatment.

Taking the Foundayo Pill

The schedule for taking Foundayo is straightforward according to the MHRA Guidelines.

You take it:

1. once a day
2. at any time of day
3. with or without food
4. without a requirement to fast
5. without a restriction on how much water you drink around the dose.

You should not crush or chew the tablet, and if it is broken, discard it. For it to have the desired effect, it needs to be in one piece.

The Dosages Explained

The doses of the Foundayo pill are titrated upwards until the lowest dose is achieved for the patient to get to the weight that they want. There is NO maintenance dose.

1. Month 1- starter dose- 0.8 mg once daily.
2. Month 2- 2.5 mg once daily.
3. Month 3- 5.5 mg once daily.
4. Month 4- 9 mg once daily.
5. Month 5- 14.5 mg once daily.
6. Maximum dose - 17.2 mg once daily.

You will need to remain on each dose for a minimum of 30 days before you increase to the next dose. During this time, your clinical team should assess you for how you are tolerating the dose and how it is impacting your weight loss.

As with any GLP-1 medication, if you have an adverse reaction or have a secondary health condition, then your timeline may be different,

If you have missed a dose, you should take it as soon as possible. However, you should not take more than one tablet in a day. If you have missed more than two doses, you should seek advice from your prescriber on how to proceed safely.

The Foundayo pill is a long-term treatment, with most clinical trials noting the effects over 72 weeks. When you have established the lowest dose to maintain your weight, you should seek regular guidance from your prescribing team about how long you may need to take it to continue your weight loss, or to keep your weight stable.

Foundayo Side Effects

It’s a GLP-1. So, it’s got side effects! Luckily, these do not differ from other GLP-1medications, with the most notable being gastrointestinal side effects.

The UK product information lists the following as very common relating to orforglipron side effects (occurring in 1 in 10 people)

1. Nausea and vomiting
2. Constipation
3. Diarrhoea
4. Indigestion/dyspepsia
5. Abdominal pain.

Common side effects (over 1 in 100 people) include:

1. Abdominal bloating/distention
2. Burping
3. Acid reflux/GERD
4. Flatulence (gas)
5. Dizziness
6. Headache

As with other GLP-1 tablets, for this medication to be considered tolerable, the gastrointestinal side effects should be mild to moderate. The side effects like nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea were also noted to be more frequent when Foundayo was being escalated to a higher dose.

In the phase 3 weight-management studies, gastrointestinal adverse events occurred in:

1. 60.1% of people taking 6 mg
2. 67.4% taking 12 mg
3. 68.7% taking 36 mg

So, if you have these side effects when starting Foundayo, it is nothing to worry about! However, if you find it hard to keep food or fluids down, then you should seek immediate medical attention and alert your prescriber.

Serious Side Effects

According to the MHRA product information insert, patients should be aware that this medication does come with some warnings about acute pancreatitis, extreme GI reactions, dehydration, kidney injury, gallbladder disease and allergic reactions. People who are taking it and have diabetes should also be aware of the risk of hypoglycaemia, particularly when used alongside insulin or sulfonylureas.

So, if you notice any persistent and severe abdominal pain when taking this GLP-1 medication, you should seek immediate medical attention. This could point to acute pancreatitis, which can be life-threatening.

We should point out here that the more serious side effects of Foundayo occurred in around 0.2 % of those who took part in the clinical trials. If you have any worries about these side effects, or questions, you should ask your clinical team or GP for advice.

Is it Effective for Weight Loss?

It’s a brand-new medication in the UK, so we have little to no insight into how it may impact the average patient who is taking it.

However, what we DO have is its impact in clinical trials.

ATTAIN-1: After 72 weeks, people taking the highest 36 mg dose lost an average of 12.4% of their body weight, compared with 0.9% with placebo. Around 77% achieved at least 5% weight loss.

ATTAIN-2: In people with obesity/overweight and type 2 diabetes, the 36 mg dose resulted in an average 10.5% weight loss over 72 weeks, compared with 2.2% with placebo. Improvements were also seen in measures such as blood pressure and cholesterol.

So, yes, Foundayo is an effective weight loss tool. However, for this medication to work as desired, you should also stick to the diet prescribed and do the exercises as recommended. If you find that you aren’t losing any weight on Foundayo, you should talk to your prescriber.

Suitability and Contraindications

In the UK, prescriptions for Foundayo are only suitable for:

1. Adults with a BMI ≥30, or
2. Adults with a BMI ≥27 but <30 who have at least one weight-related condition.

As before, it can be used for adults who have poorly controlled type 2 diabetes to help them improve their blood glucose.

At the Bodyline Clinic, we have recently obtained clinical authorisation to prescribe GLP-1’s to adults who have a BMI of 25 and up. So, if you are worried that you may not fit the suitability criteria based on your BMI being just over 25, give our team a call.

Pregnancy

GLP-1s, in general, are not recommended for use during pregnancy.

However, Foundayo comes with a warning relating to a lack of studies into how it affects pregnant women. Also, this medication has been tested in animal trials and was found to increase toxicity. While no developmental effects were seen in monkeys or in a definitive rabbit study, an initial rabbit study found reduced foetal and placental weights and external malformations at very high exposures.

If you are planning to become pregnant, you should stop taking orforglipron at least three weeks before you begin trying to conceive. If you discover you are pregnant while taking Foundayo, stop taking it immediately and speak to your GP.

If you are breastfeeding, you should not start taking Foundayo. It is not currently known whether it can pass into human breast milk.

The Contraceptive Pill and Foundayo

Our team at the Bodyline Clinic have recently released a blog on how and why Foundayo may impact the contraceptive pill.

Due to slower gastric emptying that is associated with Foundayo, if you are taking the contraceptive pill (combination or mini), it has been noted that these GLP-1 pills can reduce the effectiveness of this oral contraception, as the levels of hormones in the blood can fluctuate.

So, people taking the contraceptive pill are advised to either:

1. switch to a non-oral contraceptive method, or
2. use a barrier method such as condoms

for 30 days after starting Foundayo and for 30 days after every dose increase.

Foundayo Not Working?

Even though it is brand new, there are still other weight loss medication options in the UK.

You may find that Foundayo doesn’t work for you as you wanted it to. And it is not the only medication for weight loss that our team have in stock.

1. Wegovy injectables (POM)
2. Wegovy UK pill (POM)
3. Mounjaro injectables (POM)
4. Orlistat capsules (POM)
5. Xenical capsules (POM)
6. Orlos (available from registered pharmacies after consultation)
7. Nevolat injectables (POM)
8. Alli (available from registered pharmacies after consultation)

Everyone has heard of Ozempic. However, a core distinction between these GLP-1’s and Ozempic is that Ozempic is prescribed to treat diabetes. It is not licensed for weight loss.

Why Choose our Team at Bodyline?

We are aware that there is something of a race to the bottom when it comes to GLP-1’s. Who can offer these drugs the cheapest and ship them the fastest, with minimal impact on daily life?

If you want to lose weight safely and with all the clinical oversight needed to hit your weight loss goals, the cheapest option simply won’t cut it. You need the care of a clinical team, who can offer medically backed insights and who are involved in GLP-1 research with pharmaceutical giants like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.

Our team at the Bodyline Clinic offer personalised plans for weight loss with GLP-1’s, ensuring that your health is maintained while you hit your goals. We offer in-person or digital consultations and ensure that you are involved in your care plan. If you’ve been rejected for GLP-1s elsewhere due to a health issue, we may be able to help.

So, if you want something that is more tailored and medically supported, contact our team today.

FAQs

What is Foundayo?

Foundayo is the brand name for orforglipron. It is a once daily oral GLP-1 receptor agonist which, when used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, is suitable for weight management. In the UK, it is also prescribed to help blood glucose control in adults who have insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes.

How much weight can you lose with Foundayo?

According to the results of the ATTAIN- 1 clinical trial, people taking the highest dose of Foundayo achieved an average weight loss of 12.4% after 72 weeks. Depending on how severe your side effects are, or if you have any secondary health issues, it may take you longer to reach your weight loss goals.

What are the Foundayo doses?

The UK tablet doses of Foundayo are 0.8 mg, 2.5 mg, 5.5 mg, 9 mg, 14.5 mg and 17.2 mg. Treatment begins at 0.8 mg, and each dose is increased every 30 days. There is no maintenance dose, with patients advised taking the lowest dose to reach their desired weight loss goals.

Can Foundayo affect the contraceptive pill?

Yes. The MHRA states that orforglipron can reduce the effectiveness of oral hormonal contraceptives due to slower gastric emptying. Additional contraception is therefore recommended for 30 days after starting treatment and for 30 days after every dose increase.

Can I take Foundayo while pregnant?

No. You should not take this medication during pregnancy. You should stop taking Foundayo for a minimum of three weeks before you intend to get pregnant. If you discover that you are pregnant while taking Foundayo, stop taking it and speak to your doctor.

What happens if I miss a Foundayo dose?

You should take the next dose as soon as you remember. Do not take more than one tablet in a day. If you miss two or more doses, speak to your prescriber.

Is Foundayo available on the NHS?

At the time of writing, the NHS cannot prescribe Foundayo. However, the NICE assessment is scheduled to release its decision and guidance on this medication by the 18th of November 2026.

References and Sources

Eli Lilly and Company. Foundayo 9 mg film-coated tablets: Summary of Product Characteristics. electronic Medicines Compendium (emc). 2026.

Eli Lilly and Company. Foundayo 14.5 mg film-coated tablets: Summary of Product Characteristics. electronic Medicines Compendium (emc). 2026.

Eli Lilly and Company. Foundayo 0.8 mg, 2.5 mg, 5.5 mg, 9 mg, 14.5 mg and 17.2 mg film-coated tablets: Patient Information Leaflet. electronic Medicines Compendium (emc). 2026.

Horn DB, Ryan DH, Giljanovic Kis S, Alves B, Mu Y, Kim SG, et al. Orforglipron, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, for the treatment of obesity in people with type 2 diabetes (ATTAIN-2): a phase 3, double-blind, randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2026;406(10522):2927-2944. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(25)02165-8.

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. UK first in Europe to authorise orforglipron for weight management and type 2 diabetes. GOV.UK. 2026 Aug 10.

Wharton S, Aronne LJ, Stefanski A, Alfaris NF, Ciudin A, Yokote K, et al. Orforglipron, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity treatment. N Engl J Med. 2025;393:1796-1806. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2511774.