Foundayo Approved in the UK: How Eli Lilly's New Weight Loss Pill Compares With Wegovy and Mounjaro

The UK has become the first country in Europe to approve Foundayo (orforglipron), a new once-daily GLP-1 weight loss tablet from Eli Lilly.

The MHRA authorised Foundayo on 10 August 2026 for weight management in eligible adults and for improving blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.

For patients who prefer tablets over injections, Foundayo could become one of the most important new additions to the UK weight loss market.

What is Foundayo?

Foundayo contains orforglipron, a GLP-1 receptor agonist that helps reduce hunger, increase fullness and reduce food cravings.

Unlike injectable Mounjaro, Foundayo is taken as a once-daily tablet.

It is also different from the new Wegovy tablet because Foundayo can be taken at any time of day, with or without food and without restrictions on water intake.

The MHRA-approved dosing schedule starts at 0.8mg once daily and can gradually increase through:

• 2.5mg
• 5.5mg
• 9mg
• 14.5mg
• 17.2mg

Patients remain on each dose for at least one month before increasing.

How Much Weight Was Lost in Clinical Trials?

Foundayo was studied in the large Phase 3 ATTAIN-1 trial, which included 3,127 adults with obesity or overweight and a weight-related condition who did not have diabetes.

After 72 weeks, average weight loss with the highest studied dose was 12.4% of body weight, equivalent to approximately 27.3lb (12.4kg).

Around 59.6% of participants on the highest dose lost at least 10% of their starting body weight, while 39.6% lost at least 15%.

The trial also found improvements in markers associated with cardiovascular risk, including triglycerides, blood pressure and non-HDL cholesterol.

Foundayo in People With Type 2 Diabetes

The Phase 3 ATTAIN-2 trial studied people who had obesity or overweight alongside type 2 diabetes.

At 72 weeks, participants receiving the highest dose lost an average of 10.5% of their body weight, compared with 2.2% with placebo.

Average HbA1c reduction reached 1.8 percentage points at the highest dose.

Foundayo vs Wegovy Pill vs Mounjaro

The treatments work differently and should not be compared solely by headline weight-loss percentages because the clinical trials involved different patients and study designs.

However, there are some important practical differences.

Foundayo's biggest practical advantage is convenience.

Unlike Wegovy tablets, patients do not need to fast beforehand or wait before eating, drinking or taking other medicines.

Mounjaro remains different because tirzepatide activates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, whereas Foundayo targets GLP-1 alone.

Is Foundayo More Effective Than Mounjaro?

Not based on the available trial results.

Foundayo produced average weight loss of around 12.4% at 72 weeks at the highest dose in ATTAIN-1.

Injectable tirzepatide has produced higher average weight-loss figures in its own obesity trials.

However, these are not head-to-head studies, so the percentages should not be treated as a direct comparison.

Foundayo may instead appeal to patients who value the convenience of a tablet and do not want weekly injections.

Foundayo vs Wegovy Tablet

This could become the more interesting comparison.

Both are once-daily GLP-1 tablets, but their administration is quite different.

Foundayo

• Can be taken at any time
• Can be taken with or without food
• No water restrictions

Wegovy tablet

• Taken after fasting
• Taken with a small amount of water
• Patients must wait before eating, drinking or taking other oral medicines

For many patients, Foundayo may therefore be easier to fit into everyday life.

What Side Effects Were Seen?

The most commonly reported side effects in Foundayo trials were gastrointestinal, including:

• Nausea
• Constipation
• Diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Indigestion
• Abdominal pain

In ATTAIN-1, gastrointestinal side effects were generally described as mild to moderate, although some participants discontinued treatment because of adverse effects.

Who Is Foundayo Approved For?

For weight management, Foundayo is authorised alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity for adults with:

• A BMI of 30 or above, or
• A BMI between 27 and 30 with at least one weight-related health condition.

It is a prescription-only medicine, so treatment requires an appropriate clinical assessment.

When Will Foundayo Be Available in the UK?

Although Foundayo is now MHRA-approved, it is not currently available through the NHS.

Eli Lilly has said that it expects Foundayo to launch in the UK through private prescription later in August 2026.

A NICE assessment will be required before any wider NHS availability is decided.

UK private pricing has not yet been officially announced, although Lilly has indicated that its private list price is expected to be lower than Mounjaro.

What Does This Mean for UK Weight Loss Prices?

Foundayo adds another major competitor to a market already dominated by Mounjaro and Wegovy.

For PriceMyMeds users, the important question will be how much private providers charge once the medicine launches.

We expect pharmacies and online clinics to begin publishing Foundayo prices shortly after launch.

PriceMyMeds will compare:

• Foundayo prices by dose
• Delivery charges
• Consultation fees
• New-patient offers
• Subscription requirements
• Ongoing treatment prices

Final Thoughts

Foundayo could become a significant new option in the UK weight loss market.

Its clinical trials showed meaningful weight loss, but its biggest difference may be convenience rather than superior efficacy.

It offers a once-daily tablet without the fasting requirements of Wegovy tablets and without the injections required for Mounjaro or injectable Wegovy.

The next big question is price.

Once UK pharmacies begin offering Foundayo, PriceMyMeds will add provider prices so patients can compare the cost across the different doses.

Important Information

Foundayo is a prescription-only medicine and is not suitable for everyone. Treatment can only be supplied following an appropriate clinical assessment.

PriceMyMeds does not prescribe, dispense or sell medicines. This article is for general information and price-comparison purposes and does not replace medical advice.