With the approval of this new drug, a simple daily tablet could be enough to treat obesity.
A turning point for access to weight loss treatments. “This convenient oral tablet provides significant weight loss and is an obesity treatment designed for real life”welcomes David A. Ricks, CEO of the manufacturing laboratory, Eli Lilly, in a press release. But how does this new weight loss drug actually work in the body? And how many kilos can you lose?
Until now, the most effective treatments against obesity, such as Ozempic® or Wegovy®, require weekly injections, a constraint that holds back many patients, especially since Ozempic® presents a potentially blinding ophthalmic complication. The new medication called “Foundayo®” is taken orally in the form of a tablet. Just one tablet per day is enough, at any time, with or without meals. The first dose starts at 0.8 mg then is increased by the doctor to 2.5 mg, 5.5 mg… It is therefore marketed by the American Eli Lilly and Company, but its active molecule, orforglipron, was discovered by the Japanese Chugai Pharmaceutical. Orforglipron mimics GLP-1, a natural hormone that helps regulate hunger and blood sugar levels, to cause lasting satiety and reduce appetite.
12 kilos lost, lower cholesterol…
The results of the clinical trials seem convincing: participants who received the maximum dose and completed the treatment lost an average of 12.4 kg, or 12.4% of their body weight, compared to only 1 kg for the placebo group. “Foundayo® also led to a reduction in many markers of cardiovascular risk, including waist circumference, non-HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and systolic blood pressure.” Foundayo® is by prescription only and intended for long-term use. It is aimed at adults who are obese (BMI greater than or equal to 30) or overweight (BMI greater than or equal to 27) accompanied by at least one weight-related complication, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or cardiovascular disorders. It must be combined with a diet dedicated to weight loss and increased physical activity.
What side effects?
“The evaluation team (…) carried out a high-quality and in-depth analysis of the product, as well as a rigorous benefit-risk analysis”said Prof. Tracy Beth Høeg, acting director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER). But like any medicine, Foundayo® can cause side effects. The most common according to the laboratory are: nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, headache, abdominal distension, fatigue, belching, gastroesophageal reflux, flatulence and hair loss. “Foundayo® can cause thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer” adds its manufacturer. Watch for symptoms such as a lump or swelling in the neck, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, or shortness of breath. If you experience any of these symptoms, consult your doctor.
It is in the United States that the drug was authorized on April 1, 2026, by the American Medicines Agency (FDA). It will be available from April 6, for amounts ranging from 25 to 149 dollars per month depending on the case (20 to 130 euros). Lilly has offered its drug in more than 40 countries. We do not know if France is affected to date.
