Foundayo (orforglipron) and Wegovy (semaglutide) belong to a class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. GLP-1 medications work by mimicking a natural hormone that regulates appetite in the brain. They tell your body you are full, which helps you eat less and lose weight.
The drugs do similar things and have similar side effects, but differ in how you take them. The table below compares the main features of Foundayo and Wegovy.
| Foundayo (orforglipron) | Wegovy (semaglutide) | |
|---|---|---|
| How you take it | daily pill | weekly injection or daily pill |
| Who it’s for | weight loss | weight loss and heart health |
| How it works | mimics GLP-1 hormone | mimics GLP-1 hormone |
| Common side effects | nausea, vomiting, diarrhea | nausea, vomiting, diarrhea |
| Dosage | • 0.8 mg • 2.5 mg • 5.5 mg • 9 mg • 14.5 mg • 17.2 mg | • 0.25 mg • 0.5 mg • 1 mg • 1.7 mg • 2.4 mg • 7.2 mg |
| Cost (self-pay) | starts at $149 per month | starts at $149 per month (tablet) or $199 per month (injection) |
Both drugs are approved for adults with obesity or those who are overweight with at least one weight-related health problem, like high blood pressure. Wegovy also has an extra approval to help reduce the risk of major heart problems, like heart attacks or strokes, in adults with heart disease.
You take Foundayo and Wegovy in different ways. However, for both drugs, you start at a low dose and increase it gradually until you reach a maintenance dose. However, it’s not necessary to increase the dose each month if the current dose is working well for you.
Foundayo is a tablet you swallow once a day, with or without food. The dosage starts at 0.8 milligrams (mg) daily and can go up to 17.2 mg.
Wegovy was first approved as a once-weekly injection that you give yourself in the stomach, thigh, or arm. However, it’s now also available as a once-daily tablet that you take on an empty stomach with a small amount of water.
Wegovy injections usually start at 0.25 mg once weekly and can be increased to 2.4 mg or 7.2 mg. The tablet version goes from 1.5 mg up to 25 mg daily.
The side effects of Foundayo and Wegovy are similar because they work in the same way. Common side effects are digestion-related, such as:
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- constipation
It’s also possible you’ll experience headaches, fatigue, or hair loss.
The price you’ll pay for Foundayo and Wegovy varies depending on your dosage, how long you take it, the form you use, and the pharmacy that supplies it.
If you’re considering trying a GLP-1 medication, talk with your doctor about the best option for you.
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