The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has authorized Eli Lilly’s orforglipron, marketed as Foundayo, for weight management and type 2 diabetes.With the approval, the UK has become the first country in Europe to authorize Lilly’s once-daily GLP-1 tablet. It is also the second oral GLP-1 weight-loss medicine authorized in the UK after Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy.“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,” said Julian Beach, MHRA Executive Director of Healthcare Quality and Access.Who Can Take Foundayo?Orforglipron is a prescription-only pill and is authorised for weight loss and weight maintenance in adults with:A BMI of 30 or above; orA BMI between 27 and 30 with at least one weight-related condition.It is also authorised to improve blood sugar control in adults with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes.How Is Foundayo Taken?Unlike injectable GLP-1 medicines such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, Foundayo is taken as a once-daily tablet. It can be taken at any time of day, with no restrictions on food or water.Treatment starts at 0.8 mg and is gradually increased through 2.5 mg, 5.5 mg, 9 mg, 14.5 mg and 17.2 mg, with at least one month at each dose level. Patients should follow the dosing instructions provided with the medicine.Is Foundayo Available on the NHS?Although Foundayo has been authorized for use in the UK, it is not currently available through the NHS. The NHS availability will depend on established processes, including assessment by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). The MHRA urged people to buy the prescription only GLP-1 medicines from a registered pharmacy, with a prescription from a doctor. Buying GLP-1 medicines from unregulated sellers carries serious health risks.What Is Foundayo and How Does It Work?Orforglipron is Eli Lilly’s first oral GLP-1 medicine for weight management, marketed as Foundayo. It was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in April this year.The medicine is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that mimics the action of glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone involved in appetite and blood sugar regulation.By activating GLP-1 receptors, orforglipron helps reduce hunger and food cravings and increases feelings of fullness. Along with diet and lifestyle changes, this can support weight loss.In people with type 2 diabetes, it also helps lower blood glucose levels. Unlike some oral GLP-1 medicines, orforglipron does not require patients to take it on an empty stomach or avoid food and water around the time of dosing.Is Foundayo Better Than Injectable Mounjaro or Wegovy? A recent clinical trial led by Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian showed that Foundayo may be help prevent rebound weight gain caused by GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro.The ATTAIN-MAINTAIN trial included people who had previously taken tirzepatide or semaglutide and whose weight loss had plateaued.Among those who switched from tirzepatide, patients maintained an average 74.7% of their previous weight reduction, compared with 49.2% in the placebo group.Among those who switched from semaglutide, patients maintained 79.3% of their previous weight reduction, compared with 37.6% in the placebo group.These findings suggest that orforglipron may help people maintain weight loss after switching from injectable GLP-1 treatment. Foundayo: Side Effects and Safety ConcernsFoundayo is not approved for use in children. Its safety information also includes a warning about the potential risk of thyroid tumours, including thyroid cancer.Patients should seek medical advice if they develop symptoms such as:A lump or swelling in the neckHoarsenessDifficulty swallowingShortness of breathReported side effects include:NauseaConstipationDiarrhoeaVomitingIndigestionStomach painHeadacheAbdominal bloatingFatigue.