New Foundayo weight loss pill now available from pharmacies in the UK
Key Points
- A new weight loss pill called Foundayo is now available from pharmacies in the UK.
- It is an orally administered GLP-1 medication which helps with weight loss and the management of type 2 diabetes.
- The prescription-only medication is available to those with a BMI over 30, or a BMI over 27 and at least one weight-related comorbidity.
- Foundayo was approved earlier this month by the MHRA, making the UK the first country in Europe to authorise the GLP-1 tablet.
The United Kingdom has become the first country in Europe to offer the daily pill orforglipron for treatment of type 2 diabetes and weight loss.
Orforglipron, also called Foundayo, is made by the American pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly, and is available from today at pharmacies across the UK.
It is an orally administered GLP-1 tablet that helps with weight loss and for managing symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Foundayo is taken once per day and begins at a dosage of 0.8mg, rising as quickly as each month thereafter as necessary, up to daily doses of 17.2mg.
The pill is licensed for those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher, or those who have a BMI above 27 and at least one weight-related condition.
Orforglipron is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which mimics the naturally occurring hormone released by the body after eating. It helps patients feel fuller for longer, reduces hunger, and decreases food cravings.
This makes it an effective treatment for those struggling with weight loss or for people with type 2 diabetes who struggle to manage their sugar levels.
Side effects include nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, vomiting, dyspepsia, and abdominal pain.
Foundayo was authorised for prescription at UK pharmacies earlier this month by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
“Following rigorous assessment of orforglipron’s safety, quality, and effectiveness, we are pleased to be the first regulator in Europe to authorise this tablet for weight management and type 2 diabetes,” said MHRA Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access Julian Beach.
“As with all GLP-1 receptor agonists, this is a prescription-only medication, and the MHRA will keep the safety and effectiveness of orforglipron under close review.”
