Trial Shows That Daily Weight Loss Pill Can Cut Body Weight By A Fifth: Which Pills Are More Effective?

A daily pill for weight loss can help people reduce their body weight by as much as a fifth, according to a large clinical trial that researchers say could reshape obesity treatment and make therapies more accessible. The drug, called orforglipron and manufactured by Eli Lilly, works by targeting the same GLP-1 receptors as popular injectable drugs such as Mounjaro and Wegovy.The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes meeting in Vienna, followed 3,127 adults with obesity but no diabetes across multiple countries. After 72 weeks, one in five participants taking the pill lost 20% or more of their body weight, a result health experts are calling a potential breakthrough.Also Read: Eli Lilly Sends Weight-Loss Pill For Approval: Is Oral GLP-1 As Effective As The Injections?How Orforglipron WorksOrforglipron belongs to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists, medications that lower blood sugar, slow digestion, and suppress appetite. These drugs mimic hormones naturally released in the gut, signaling to the brain a feeling of fullness.While injectable GLP-1 drugs have been hailed as transformative, a pill version is seen as a “holy grail” because it is easier to store, distribute, and take, reducing the barriers to treatment. Pills are also expected to be cheaper than weekly injections, widening access for millions.Results of the 72-Week TrialParticipants were randomly assigned to receive different daily doses of orforglipron, ranging from 6 mg to 36 mg, or a placebo. All had a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.Average weight loss:7.5% with the lowest dose (6 mg)11.2% with the highest dose (36 mg)Proportion of patients with major weight reduction on 36 mg:54.6% lost at least 10% of body weight36% lost at least 15%18.4% lost at least 20%Beyond weight reduction, the study noted improvements in blood pressure, waist circumference, and cholesterol levels. Side effects were mostly gastrointestinal, such as nausea and diarrhea, and were generally mild to moderate.Lead researcher Dr. Sean Wharton of McMaster University said:“This could mean an expansion of obesity interventions to groups who are currently excluded due to the cost of and lack of access to injectable medications.”Why the Pill MattersThe rise of GLP-1 drugs has already begun to reshape obesity and diabetes treatment. But injections create added costs and logistical hurdles for health services. A pill that achieves similar results could be a turning point for how obesity is managed globally.Experts stress, however, that while the pill’s results are promising, it is not yet approved by the FDA or other global regulators. Eli Lilly has said it expects strong demand once it launches, potentially within the next year.Eli Lilly vs Novo NordiskThe trial’s publication coincides with another headline-making announcement: Eli Lilly reported that orforglipron outperformed rival Novo Nordisk’s oral drug, oral semaglutide (Rybelsus), in Novo Nordisk's own head-to-head study on Type 2 diabetes patients.Blood sugar control at 52 weeks:Orforglipron (36 mg): 2.2% reduction in HbA1cOral semaglutide (14 mg): 1.4% reductionWeight loss:Orforglipron: average 9.2% (19.7 pounds)Oral semaglutide: average 5.3% (11 pounds)When including all patients regardless of discontinuation, weight loss with orforglipron was 8.2% compared to 5.3% with oral semaglutide.Eli Lilly’s chief scientific officer Dan Skovronsky said the pill could serve as “the main medicine” for patients needing both diabetes and obesity management. Independent experts have also praised the results. Dr. Michael Weintraub of NYU Langone noted the pill’s blood sugar control is “impressive not only compared to other oral medications but also injectables.”Caveats and Next StepsDespite the strong results, analysts caution against declaring a clear winner in the oral weight-loss pill race. Novo Nordisk is awaiting FDA approval for a 25 mg version of oral semaglutide for obesity and has tested a 50 mg dose. Higher doses could narrow or close the gap between the two companies.Dr. Jaime Almandoz of UT Southwestern Medical Center said:“It’s a little too early to say that one is the leader in this class. But having head-to-head data helps doctors make better decisions for patients.”Eli Lilly says it plans to apply for regulatory approval of orforglipron for diabetes in 2026, with a global launch expected as early as next year. Detailed results from its head-to-head study will be presented at an upcoming medical meeting.

Trial Shows That Daily Weight Loss Pill Can Cut Body Weight By A Fifth: Which Pills Are More Effective?

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Trial Shows That Daily Weight Loss Pill Can Cut Body Weight By A Fifth: Which Pills Are More Effective?

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