A New Weight-Loss Tablet Has Been Approved in the UK: What Is Orforglipron?

The world of medical weight management continues to develop rapidly, and there has been another important development for people looking for alternatives to injectable weight-loss treatments.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved orforglipron, brand name Foundayo, for weight management and type 2 diabetes in the UK.

The approval, announced on 10 August 2026, makes the UK the first country in Europe to authorise orforglipron and means there are now two oral GLP-1 treatment options approved for weight management in the UK.

So, what exactly is orforglipron, how does it work, and could tablets eventually become a more common alternative to weight-loss injections?

What is orforglipron?

Orforglipron is a once-daily GLP-1 receptor agonist tablet developed by Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical company behind Mounjaro.

GLP-1 medicines mimic the effects of a naturally occurring hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, which is released by the body after eating.

Among its effects, GLP-1 can influence the areas of the brain responsible for appetite.

This can help people:

• Feel fuller for longer

• Experience less hunger

• Reduce food cravings

• Eat smaller portions

• Reduce their overall calorie intake

  
  

When combined with appropriate changes to diet and physical activity, this can support significant and sustainable weight loss.

Who has orforglipron been approved for?

The MHRA has authorised orforglipron for weight loss and long-term weight management alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults who have:

A BMI of 30 or above, or

A BMI between 27 and 30 with at least one weight-related health condition.

It has also been approved to improve blood glucose control in people with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes.

As with other GLP-1 treatments, orforglipron is a prescription-only medicine and will not be suitable for everybody. A clinical assessment is required before treatment can be prescribed.

How is it different from weight-loss injections?

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of orforglipron is that it comes as a tablet rather than an injection.

Treatments such as Mounjaro and injectable Wegovy have transformed medical weight management, but some people remain uncomfortable with injecting themselves.

An effective tablet could therefore provide another option for people who are unable or reluctant to use injections.

There is another potentially important difference.

Orforglipron is taken once a day and can be taken at any time of the day without restrictions around food or water.

This could make it relatively straightforward to incorporate into a person's daily routine.

How effective is orforglipron?

Clinical studies have produced encouraging results.

In a Phase III study involving people with obesity, average weight loss increased according to the dose of orforglipron being taken.

Over 72 weeks, participants receiving the doses studied lost an average of approximately:

• 7.5% of their body weight at 6mg

• 8.4% at 12mg

• 11.2% at 36mg

  
  

This compared with approximately 2.1% weight loss in the placebo group.

It is important to remember that weight-loss results vary considerably between individuals and medication should form part of a wider approach involving nutrition, activity and long-term lifestyle changes.

What are the possible side effects?

Like other medicines that act on the GLP-1 receptor, orforglipron can cause side effects.

The MHRA lists the most common side effects as:

• Nausea

• Constipation

• Diarrhoea

• Vomiting

• Indigestion

• Abdominal pain

  
  

Side effects can differ between individuals, which is one of the reasons medical weight-management treatments should be prescribed and monitored appropriately.

If you are taking any weight-management medication and experience side effects that concern you, speak to your pharmacist, doctor or other healthcare professional.

Does this mean weight-loss injections are being replaced?

No.

The arrival of oral GLP-1 medicines doesn't mean established injectable treatments are disappearing.

Instead, we are beginning to see more choice within medical weight management.

For some people, a weekly injection may be the most convenient and appropriate treatment. Others may prefer taking a daily tablet.

The most suitable treatment will depend on a number of factors, including someone's medical history, weight-management goals, other medicines, potential side effects and personal preferences.

There isn't one weight-loss treatment that is automatically "best" for everybody.

Is orforglipron available on the NHS?

Although orforglipron has now received MHRA approval, it is not currently available through the NHS.

New medicines have to go through additional processes before decisions are made about routine NHS use, including assessment by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

NICE guidance relating to orforglipron for overweight and obesity is currently being developed.

MHRA approval therefore doesn't automatically mean that a medicine will immediately be available through every NHS or private weight-management service.

Why are oral GLP-1 treatments important?

Until recently, many people associated GLP-1 weight-management medicines almost exclusively with injections.

That is changing.

Having oral alternatives could potentially make medically supported weight management accessible and acceptable to more people, particularly those who have avoided treatment because of concerns about needles or injections.

It also demonstrates just how quickly this area of medicine is developing.

Rather than having only one or two options available, the future of weight management is increasingly likely to involve a range of treatments that can be selected according to the needs of the individual patient.

Weight-loss medication is only part of the picture

Whether someone uses an injection or a tablet, medication should not be viewed as a replacement for good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle.

Because GLP-1 treatments can significantly reduce appetite, it can actually become more important to think carefully about the quality of the food you are eating.

Eating enough protein, maintaining a balanced diet, keeping hydrated and remaining physically active can all help support healthy weight loss.

The aim shouldn't simply be to make the number on the scales fall as quickly as possible. The goal is to lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way while protecting muscle mass and ensuring your body continues to receive the nutrients it needs.

Another big step forward for weight management

The approval of orforglipron is another significant development in what has already been an incredibly fast-moving area of healthcare.

For people who don't like the idea of injections, the development of effective oral GLP-1 medicines could be particularly welcome.

However, these treatments are still prescription medicines and should only be obtained following an appropriate clinical assessment from a regulated healthcare provider.

Never purchase GLP-1 or weight-loss medicines from unregulated websites, social media sellers or other unofficial sources.

As more treatments become available, having professional advice becomes even more important. Rather than simply choosing the medicine receiving the most attention online, patients should be supported to find an option that is safe, appropriate and realistic for their individual circumstances.

Thinking about medical weight management?

If you're considering weight-loss treatment, speak to our pharmacy team.

We can discuss your goals, explain the different treatment options available and help you understand whether medically supported weight management may be suitable for you.

All treatments are subject to an individual consultation, clinical assessment and suitability.

Information correct at the time of publication: August 2026.

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