'Holy grail' of weight loss pills has 22 side effects Brits should know now it's available in UK
A new weight-loss pill that treats diabetes and helps with weight loss is now available throughout pharmacies across the UK.
Orforglipron, dubbed the ‘holy grail’ of weight-loss pills, will be sold as Foundayo as the UK is the first European country to green lit the tablets made by American pharmaceutical firm Eli Lilly.
The once-daily pill works as a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, mimicking your body's natural GLP-1 hormone to activate target receptors, which reduces appetite, slows stomach emptying and stimulates insulin release to manage blood sugar.
While Orforglipron works in the body immediately after your first dose, there can be noticeable side effects over time.
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Listed side effects vary from indigestion to stomach pain, while more serious side effects can include Thyroid tumors and pancreatitis, according to the Eli Lilly website.
"GI side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea occurred most often when starting or increasing the dose of Foundayo, but they generally decreased over time," Eli Lilly explains.
"If you have any side effects that bother you or that don't go away, talk to your doctor."
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Indigestion
- Stomach (abdominal) pain
- Headache
- Swollen belly
- Feeling tired
- Belching
- Heartburn
- Gas
- Hair loss
Serious side effects
- Thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer
- Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)
- Severe stomach problems
- Dehydration that may lead to kidney problems
- Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), particularly when used with insulin or a sulfonylurea
- Serious allergic reactions
- Changes in vision in people with type 2 diabetes
- Gallbladder problems
- Food or liquid entering the lungs during surgery or procedures involving anesthesia or deep sedation
"These are not all the possible side effects of Foundayo. Talk to your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or doesn’t go away," Eli Lilly said.
Who qualifies for Foundayo?
The drug is licensed for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or above, or those with a BMI of between 27 and 30 and at least one weight-related condition.
It can also be used to improve blood sugars in patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.
The pill is to taken once a day, at any time, with no food or water restrictions.
Dosage begins at 0.8mg, climbing to 2.5mg, 5.5mg, 9mg, 14.5mg and 17.2mg, while patients will spend a minimum of one month at each dosage level.
Watch out for fake Foundayo tablets
Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, said: “This is another significant day with a second weight loss pill available from today in certain pharmacies.
“This is particularly significant for patients who cannot or do not want to take an injectable medicine and could make weight loss treatment available to a wider range of patients.
“It is easier for criminals to provide fake, unlicensed or counterfeit versions of oral medications than injectables and patients must make sure they only access weight loss treatments through safe and regulated pharmacies.
“There must now be a redoubling of efforts within Government and the NHS to use pharmacies to make sure more eligible patients in clinical need can get weight loss treatments on the NHS, rather than the current postcode lottery that exists for weight management services via GPs.”
Anish Vij