Key takeaways

  • Foundayo is used for weight loss in adults with obesity or who are overweight with a weight-related condition.
  • It is available as an oral tablet taken once per day. Foundayo can be taken with or without food.
  • More common side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Possible serious side effects may include low blood sugar, pancreatitis, kidney injury, and gallbladder disease.

Foundayo is a new non-peptide glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1) agonist. It works to help reduce appetite.

The active ingredient of Foundayo is orforglipron, but Foundayo is only available as a brand-name medication.

Foundayo has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Foundayo is FDA-approved for weight loss and weight management. Specifically, it’s used for adults:

Foundayo is used in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

More common side effects reported with Foundayo include:

Most mild side effects are temporary and should improve within a few days to a few weeks as your body adjusts to the medication.

Experiencing side effects? After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. If you develop a side effect while taking this drug and want to tell the FDA about it, visit MedWatch or call 800-FDA-1088.

Serious side effects

Possible serious side effects reported with Foundayo include:

  • low blood sugar
  • serious digestive side effects
  • acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
  • acute kidney injury
  • low blood pressure
  • acute gallbladder disease
  • pulmonary aspiration
  • allergic reaction

Talk with your doctor if you experience serious side effects while taking Foundayo. If you experience side effects that feel life-threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.

Boxed warning: Risk of thyroid cancer

Foundayo has a boxed warning for a risk of thyroid cancer.

Other GLP-1s caused thyroid tumors in animal studies, but it is unknown if they cause them in humans. Orforglipron (the active ingredient in Foundayo) is not pharmacologically active in rats or mice, so it’s not known if Foundayo causes thyroid tumors in rodents.

People who have had or have a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) should not take Foundayo.

Talk with your doctor to learn more about this risk.

Foundayo is available as an oral tablet to be swallowed whole. You should not break, split, or chew them.

It can be taken with or without food.

Foundayo is typically taken once per day. The starting dose of Foundayo is 0.8 milligrams (mg) once daily. Your doctor will slowly increase your dose over time until they find the right dose for you. Typically, you stay on a dose for at least 30 days.

Doses are typically increased to 2.5 mg, 5.5 mg, 9 mg, 14.5 mg, and 17.2 mg. The maximum dose of Foundayo is 17.2 mg daily.

What to do if you take too much Foundayo

Taking too much of a medication can cause serious symptoms.

If you take too much Foundayo, call Poison Help at 800-222-1222 or use its online tool. But, if symptoms are serious, mention calling 911 (or local emergency number) and going to the emergency room.

The cost of Foundayo may vary depending on your location, the pharmacy you use, and your insurance coverage.

The manufacturer of Foundayo, Eli Lily, offers savings options. Check out the drug’s website for details and to find out if you are eligible.

If you don’t have insurance, a third-party coupon or savings program may still help lower your out-of-pocket costs.

Optum Perks is owned by RVO Health. By clicking on this link, we may receive a commission. Learn more.

Foundayo is a newer GLP-1 agonist. There are some similarities and differences between it and other GLP-1s, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide.

Orforglipron
Semaglutide
Tirzepatide
Orforglipron
Semaglutide
Tirzepatide

Foundayo

Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus

Mounjaro, Zepbound

GLP-1 receptor agonist

GLP-1 receptor agonist

GLP-1/GIP dual receptor agonist

oral tablet

  • injection (Ozempic, Wegovy)
  • oral tablet (Wegovy, Rybelsus)

injection

once daily

  • injection: once weekly
  • oral tablet: once daily

once weekly

with or without food

  • injection: with or without food
  • oral tablet: empty stomach

with or without food

weight loss

  • type 2 diabetes (Rybelsus, Ozempic)
  • weight loss (Wegovy)
  • lower risk of cardiovascular problems (Ozempic, Rybelsus, Wegovy)
  • prevent worsening kidney function (Ozempic)
  • MASH (Wegovy)
  • type 2 diabetes (Mounjaro)
  • weight loss (Zepbound)
  • obstructive sleep apnea (Zepbound)

up to 11.2% in 72 weeks

about 15-19% in 72 weeks

about 15-22% in 72 weeks

Digestive side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, were usually the more common side effects reported for all GLP-1 medications.

Below are a few safety considerations for Foundayo.

Interactions

Foundayo may interact with other medications, supplements, herbs, vitamins, food, lab tests, or vaccines. Be sure to talk with your doctor about all the other medications you are taking before you start treatment with Foundayo.

Foundayo slows gastric emptying, so it can impact how well other oral medications can be absorbed into the body. Other potential interactions for Foundayo include:

  • simvastatin (Zocor)
  • CYP 3A4 inhibitors, such as ketoconazole, clarithromycin, or grapefruit juice
  • CYP 3A4 inducers, such as rifampin (Rifadin) or carbamazepine (Tegretol)
  • insulin
  • sulfonylureas, such as glipizide (Glucotrol XL) or glimepiride

This is not a complete list of medications. Be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Key terms

CYP stands for “Cytochrome P450”. These are enzymes that help break down medications in your body.

Drugs that are CYP inhibitors block that specific enzyme. This means they can slow down the break down of medications that use that enzyme, which can lead to that drug staying in the body longer and increasing the risk of side effects.

Drugs that are CYP inducers ramp up that specific enzyme. This means they can speed up the break down of medications that use that enzyme, which can lead to that drug being less effective.

Warnings

If you have certain health conditions, Foundayo may not be right for you. Talk with your doctor if any of the following conditions apply to you:

  • family or personal history of MTC or MEN 2
  • previous allergic reaction to the medication
  • pancreatitis
  • kidney problems
  • low blood sugar
  • diabetic retinopathy or macular edema
  • gallbladder problems
  • planned surgery

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Foundayo while pregnant. Animal studies showed possible harm to the fetus, but animal studies don’t always predict how a drug will affect humans. Talk with your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

It’s not known whether it’s safe to take Foundayo while breastfeeding. Talk with your doctor about the safest way to feed your child while taking Foundayo.

Birth control pills and Foundayo

Foundayo slows gastric emptying, which means it can affect the absorption of oral medications. If you are taking birth control pills, talk with your doctor. They may want to switch you to a non-pill option.

Foundayo is a new GLP-1 medication that can help with weight loss and weight management in certain adults. It is available as an oral tablet you take once daily.

If you have questions about whether Foudayo is right for you, talk with your doctor.

Disclaimer: While Healthline strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses. Learn more about our approach to content integrity.