Orforglipron, the newest GLP-1 weight loss tablet in the UK
What is orforglipron?
Orforglipron is a new type of oral weight loss medication that belongs to a group called GLP-1 receptor agonists. It comes as a tablet you take by mouth, rather than an injection like Mounjaro and Wegovy.
Developed by Eli Lilly, orforglipron is designed to help people lose weight by mimicking a natural hormone in your body called GLP-1. This hormone plays an important role in controlling your appetite and blood sugar levels.
How orforglipron works for weight loss
When you take orforglipron, it works in several ways to help you lose weight:
- It slows down how quickly food leaves your stomach, helping you feel fuller for longer.
- It reduces your appetite, so you naturally want to eat less.
- It helps your body manage blood sugar levels more effectively.
- It may reduce cravings for certain foods.
As a result, you’ll eat smaller portions without feeling hungry, making it easier to stick to a reduced-calorie diet.
Oral vs injectable GLP-1 medications
Many people find the idea of weekly weight loss injections daunting. Orforglipron offers a simpler alternative – one tablet taken once a day. This could make a real difference if you're needle-phobic or prefer the convenience of oral medication.
While injectable GLP-1s like Mounjaro have been hugely successful, having an oral option means more people can access this treatment. The tablet form also makes travelling easier and removes the need for needle disposal.
Development timeline
Eli Lilly has been developing orforglipron since 2018, and has made steady progress through clinical trials. As of early 2025, orforglipron is in late-stage testing, and the results look promising, with an estimated UK launch date in 2026-2027.
How effective is orforglipron?
Orforglipron is effective in clinical trials involving thousands of participants, showing an average weight loss of 10-15%. Let’s take a closer look at what these studies have shown so far.
Phase 2 trial results for weight loss
In these studies, participants without diabetes who took orforglipron lost an average of 10-15% of their body weight over 36 weeks. To put this in perspective, if you weigh 100kg, you could expect to lose 10-15kg.
What's encouraging is that most people tolerated the medication well, with side effects generally improving over time as their bodies adjusted.
Phase 3 ATTAIN trials
The ATTAIN programme is Eli Lilly's comprehensive phase 3 trial series for orforglipron. These larger studies are designed to confirm the medication's safety and effectiveness.
The ATTAIN-1 study followed over 3,000 people for 72 weeks. Together with ATTAIN-2, the programme has involved more than 4,500 participants worldwide, testing three different doses of orforglipron against a placebo.
What the results show
The findings from ATTAIN-1, announced in August 2025, exceeded expectations. People taking the highest dose of orforglipron (36mg) lost an average of 12.4% of their body weight – that's about two stone (27 pounds) for someone starting at 16 stone.
Even more impressive, nearly 40% of people on this dose lost 15% or more of their starting weight.
But weight loss wasn't the only benefit. The medication also improved several important health markers:
- Lower cholesterol levels
- Reduced blood pressure
- Decreased inflammation in the body
These improvements suggest orforglipron could help protect against heart disease, not just weight loss.
What happens next
More findings from the ATTAIN programme will be shared before the end of 2025. Eli Lilly plans to submit orforglipron for approval by regulators before the end of the year.
Orforglipron for type 2 diabetes
Orforglipron is in development for both weight loss and type 2 diabetes. In studies involving people with diabetes, the medication improved blood sugar control whilst also promoting weight loss, a double benefit that many diabetes medications don't offer.
Orforglipron vs other weight loss medications
Choosing the right weight loss medication can feel overwhelming. Here's how orforglipron compares to other options available or coming soon to the UK market.
Orforglipron vs Rybelsus (oral semaglutide)
Both are oral GLP-1 medications, but there are key differences. Rybelsus must be taken on an empty stomach with no more than 120ml of water. You must also wait 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything else. Orforglipron appears to be more flexible, potentially allowing you to take it with or without food.
However, Rybelsus is currently only approved for diabetes, whereas orforglipron is being developed for weight loss and diabetes, with potentially higher doses.
Orforglipron vs Wegovy/Ozempic (injectable semaglutide)
Wegovy has set the bar high for weight loss medications, with an average weight loss of 15-17%. Early data suggests orforglipron may achieve similar results, but in tablet form.
The main trade-off is convenience versus proven effectiveness. Wegovy requires weekly injections but has years of real-world evidence. Orforglipron offers daily tablets but is still building its evidence base.
Orforglipron vs Mounjaro (tirzepatide)
Mounjaro (tirzepatide) works on two hormone pathways (GLP-1 and GIP) compared to orforglipron's single pathway. This dual action leads to impressive weight loss of around 20% or more. However, it requires weekly injections.
For some, the extra weight loss potential of Mounjaro may outweigh the inconvenience of injections. Others may prefer orforglipron's oral route even if it means less dramatic results.
Orforglipron vs orlistat
Orlistat comes in a capsule and works completely differently by blocking fat absorption from food. While it's been around longer and is available without a prescription (for lower strengths), it typically produces modest weight loss (5-10%) and can cause unpleasant digestive side effects if you eat fatty foods.
Orforglipron's approach of reducing appetite may be more tolerable and effective for most people, though it will require a prescription and be more expensive.
Orforglipron vs Mysimba
Mysimba is a weight loss tablet that combines two medications that work on parts of the brain to reduce appetite. Users experience between 5-10% weight loss. However, orforglipron's GLP-1 mechanism is considered more effective.
Orforglipron side effects
Like all medications, orforglipron can cause side effects. Understanding what to expect can help you make an informed decision and manage any issues that arise.
Common side effects
The most common side effects are similar to other GLP-1 medications:
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Vomiting
- Stomach discomfort
- Decreased appetite (this is partly how it works)
- Fatigue
Most people find these effects are worst in the first few weeks and improve as their body adjusts. Starting with a low dose and increasing gradually helps minimise discomfort.
How to manage orforglipron side effects
The digestive side effects can be challenging at first, but there are ways to manage them:
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals
- Avoid fatty or spicy foods
- Stay well-hydrated
- Consider anti-nausea remedies if needed
Most people find they can identify trigger foods and adjust their diet accordingly. The good news is that these effects often signal the medication is working.
How to take orforglipron
Take Orforglipron once a day, at the same time each day with water. It’s likely to be ‘titrated’ which means you will gradually increase your dose each month. However, you will still take it in the same way to the same schedule.
Orforglipron titration
The typical pattern may involve:
- Weeks 1-4: Starting dose (likely 12mg)
- Weeks 5-8: Intermediate dose (likely 24mg)
- Week 9 onwards: Full dose (likely 36-45mg)
This gradual increase is called titration. It helps your body adjust and lowers any side effects. Your prescriber may adjust this schedule based on your progress and any side effects you experience.
Food requirements
One of orforglipron's advantages is its flexibility. Unlike some oral medications, it appears to work whether taken with or without food. This means you can fit it into your routine more easily.
You may find taking it at the same time each day helps you remember. Choose a time that works with your lifestyle – perhaps with breakfast or before bed.
How long does treatment last?
Weight loss medications like orforglipron are typically used for at least 12 months to achieve the best results. However, some people continue longer-term to maintain their weight loss.
Your prescriber will review your progress regularly. If you're losing weight and tolerating the medication well, you can usually continue as long as needed.
What happens when you stop taking orforglipron?
When you stop taking orforglipron, your appetite will likely return to previous levels. Without the medication's help, maintaining weight loss becomes more challenging.
Studies show that people typically regain weight after stopping GLP-1 medications. This doesn't mean the treatment failed – it means obesity is a chronic condition that may need ongoing management.
Some people use the medication to lose weight, then work hard to maintain through lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. Others may need longer-term treatment.
Availability and approval timeline
We understand you're eager to know when orforglipron might be available. Here's what we know about the approval process.
Expected FDA approval timeline
Eli Lilly aims to seek regulatory approval for orforglipron this year (2025) for weight management, followed by an application for type 2 diabetes treatment in 2026.
In the United States, the FDA review process typically takes 12-18 months, which means the medication could become available by late 2026 or early 2027, provided the phase 3 results remain positive.
Orforglipron availability in the UK
After US approval, Eli Lilly will need to submit data to the MHRA for a UK licence, followed by NICE reviewing the drug's clinical and cost-effectiveness for NHS prescribing.
If regulatory reviews and NICE guidance go smoothly, orforglipron could be available in the UK as early as 2026, with some sources suggesting 2026-2027. It’s more likely to be available privately before becoming accessible through the NHS.
Pricing expectations
While official pricing isn't set, we can make educated guesses based on similar medications. Injectable GLP-1s typically cost between £100-300 per month privately. NHS availability would significantly reduce costs for eligible patients.
The introduction of oral options may also help bring down prices across the category through competition.
Who is a good candidate for orforglipron?
Not everyone needs or suits weight loss medication. Here's guidance on whether orforglipron might be right for you.
BMI requirements
Weight loss medications like orforglipron are typically prescribed for those with a:
- BMI of 30 or above (obesity)
- BMI of 27 or above with weight-related health conditions
Medical conditions that may benefit
Certain health conditions make weight loss particularly important:
- Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
- High blood pressure
- Sleep apnoea
- Fatty liver disease
- Osteoarthritis affecting weight-bearing joints
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
If you have any of these conditions, losing weight with orforglipron could improve multiple aspects of your health.
When to consider oral vs injectable weight loss treatments
Consider orforglipron if you:
- have a fear of needles
- travel frequently
- prefer the simplicity of tablets
- have tried injections, but they didn’t work for you
- want to start with a GLP-1 but feel intimidated by injections
Consider injections if you:
- want the most established treatment
- prefer less frequent dosing (weekly vs daily)
- don't mind injections
- want the highest possible weight loss percentage
Sources
Lilly to present new research in the treatment of diabetes and obesity. Lilly Investor News. [Accessed 28 August 2025]
Lilly’s phase 2 results published in New England Journal of Medicine. Lilly Investor News. [Accessed 28 August 2025]
Lilly’s oral GLP-1 orforglipron delivers weight loss average 27.3%. Lilly Investor News. [Accessed 28 August 2025]
Efficacy and safety of oral orforglipron in patients with type 2 diabetes. The Lancet. [Accessed 28 August 2025]
