Foundayo (orforglipron) Side Effects

Foundayo is the first non-peptide glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP) weight loss tablet to be approved in the UK. It contains the active ingredient, orforglipron, and is taken daily with or without food, with no fasting restrictions, making it a more flexible option compared to other weight loss pills.

In clinical trials, Foundayo has been shown to help you achieve an average weight loss of 12.4% over 72 weeks at the maximum dose. However, like all medications, Foundayo can cause side effects. Here, we explore the potential Foundayo side effects, how you can manage them, and when you should seek medical help.

The most common Foundayo side effects in clinical trials were mild, temporary and similar to other GLP-1 treatments, including the Wegovy pill.

The most common Foundayo side effects, affecting more than 1 in 10 people, are:

• feeling sick
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• being sick
• indigestion
• stomach pain
• Low blood sugar when used with certain medications most commonly used to treat diabetes

These are most common when you first start treatment or when you increase your dose. Orforglipron binds to the GLP-1 receptors in the gut and brain, which changes hunger signals and can slow down how quickly food moves through your stomach, which can lead to feeling or being sick, and diarrhoea.

In clinical trials, gastrointestinal side effects were reported in 68.7% of people given the highest orforglipron dose. However, only 6.8% stopped treatment because of them, compared to 0.6% given a placebo.

Common Foundayo side effects, affecting up to 1 in 10 people, are:

• low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) when Foundayo is taken with a sulfonylurea alone or in combination with up to 2 other type 2 diabetes medications
• dizziness
• headache
• fast pulse
• low blood pressure
• bloating
• burping
• reflux or heartburn
• gas
• gallstones
• hair loss
• feeling tired
• increased levels of pancreatic enzymes in your blood

Foundayo side effects typically last from a few days to a couple of weeks. They tend to peak within the first 2 weeks of starting treatment or after a dose increase, but ease off as your body gets used to orforglipron.

If you get any side effects that last longer than 2 weeks or are difficult to manage, you should speak to your doctor. They may advise lowering your Foundayo dose or consider changing to an alternative weight loss medication.

Although the most common Foundayo side effects can be uncomfortable, there are things you can do to manage them at home, and make your weight loss journey easier.

Feeling sick

Feeling sick is one of the most common Foundayo side effects, and although it can make you feel like you are going to be sick, that doesn’t always happen. Most cases of nausea can be managed by:

• eating smaller, more regular meals, such as 6 smaller meals throughout the day rather than 3 large meals
• avoiding high-fat, greasy, or spicy foods which can irritate your stomach
• choosing plain, bland foods, like crackers, rice, and toast
• sipping water throughout the day to stop you from becoming dehydrated
• trying herbal teas, like peppermint or ginger to help settle your stomach

Constipation

Constipation can be unpleasant and uncomfortable, causing symptoms including fewer bowel movements, bloating, and hard to pass stools. You can manage constipation by:

• continuously drinking fluids throughout the day to help soften stools
• slowly increasing your fibre intake by including foods like fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, and beans into your daily diet
• increasing the amount of exercise you do to help your bowels function normally – a gentle walk after a meal can really help
• speaking to a pharmacist about over the counter stool softeners or laxatives that are safe to take with orforglipron

Diarrhoea

Because orforglipron binds to the GLP-1 receptors in the body, it changes how the gut moves and processes fluid, which can cause diarrhoea in some people. You may experience loose, watery stools, a frequent need to go to the bathroom, and stomach pain.

You can help manage diarrhoea by:

• keep drinking fluids, especially water and electrolyte drinks, to help prevent dehydration
• eat bland foods, like toast, bananas, and rice
• avoid fried, greasy, or fatty foods that may make your symptoms worse
• speak to a pharmacist about anti-diarrhoea medications that are safe to take with orforglipron

Being sick

Being sick is most common when you first start taking Foundayo, after a dose increase, and sometimes at higher doses. For most people, vomiting improves as your body gets used to orforglipron, but in some cases, it can be severe.

If you are being sick, you can make yourself more comfortable by:

• taking small sips of water frequently to prevent dehydration
• eating plain, bland foods when you feel able to
• avoiding strong smells or foods that can make you feel sick, where possible
• getting plenty of rest until you are feeling better

Indigestion, stomach pain, and acid reflux

As well as feeling and being sick, indigestion and stomach pain are also common Foundayo side effects. They can include symptoms like heartburn, getting a sour or unpleasant taste in your mouth, a burning feeling in your stomach, or feeling very full after eating.

These symptoms are uncomfortable, but can be managed by:

• adjusting your portion sizes, so that you eat smaller meals
• stopping eating when you feel full to stop overeating
• avoiding lying down after eating for at least 30 minutes
• avoiding trigger foods, such as spicy, greasy, fatty, or acidic foods
• not eating late at night or before bed
• speaking to a pharmacist about taking antacids

Serious side effects are possible when taking orforglipron, but they are less common than others. However, these cannot be managed at home and will require medical attention, and in some cases, will be an emergency.

Possible serious Foundayo side effects and their symptoms are:

• inflamed pancreas – signs include severe stomach pain that radiates to the back and does not go away
• bowel obstruction – severe stomach pain, a swollen stomach, being sick, or not being able to pass wind or open your bowels
• severe constipation – bloating, and feeling unable to open your bowels
• serious allergic reactions – signs include swelling of your lips, eyes, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, cold skin, feeling dizzy or weak
• increased chance of food or liquid entering the lungs during surgery or other procedures – tell your doctor or surgeon that you are taking Foundayo before surgery
• kidney problems – signs include dehydration caused by being sick or having diarrhoea, and can sometimes require treatment such as kidney dialysis

Can orforglipron cause pancreatitis?

Yes, orforglipron can cause acute pancreatitis, but it is an uncommon side effect that has been reported in up to 1 in 100 people. Acute pancreatitis is where your pancreas suddenly becomes swollen and inflamed.

Signs of pancreatitis include:

• severe stomach pain that does not go away
• severe stomach pain that spreads to your sides and back
• feeling worse after you eat, move, or lie down
• high temperature
• feeling or being sick

If you get any pancreatitis symptoms, you should get an urgent appointment with your doctor, or if the pain is severe and has spread to your back, you’re bloated, have difficulty breathing, or the skin on your stomach is blue or appears bruised, call 999 or go to A&E.

Can orforglipron cause thyroid damage?

No, orforglipron does not cause thyroid damage and it is not listed as a potential side effect in the UK. Animal studies have shown that there is an increased chance of thyroid C-cell tumours when they are exposed to GLP-1 medications, which has led to a boxed warning in the US for orforglipron-containing medications, including Foundayo. However, these results are not reflected in human studies. As a precaution, if you notice any neck lumps or changes whilst taking orforglipron then contact your doctor promptly.

For most people who get Foundayo side effects, they will be mild, temporary, and often manageable. However, there are some instances where Foundayo side effects need to be assessed and treated by a doctor.

If you get any of the following side effects, call 999 or get someone to take you to A&E straight away:

• swelling of your lips, tongue, face, or throat
• difficulty breathing
• itchy, skin rash
• collapse or fainting
• severe stomach and back pain

If you get any of the following side effects, get an urgent in person medical review:

• gallbladder issues – yellowing of your skin or eyes (jaundice) with a fever and upper right stomach pain
• persistent vomiting or severe diarrhoea – especially if it stops you from keeping fluids down for more than 24 hours as this can cause dehydration and kidney problems
• signs of low blood sugar – signs include dizziness, shaking, sweating, confusion, and is more common if you take orforglipron with other diabetes medications
• sudden changes in your vision – could suggest underlying diabetic eye disease

If you get any side effects that are causing you concern, are getting worse, or are difficult to manage, speak to your doctor.

Foundayo has a similar side effect profile to other GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Mounjaro, Wegovy, and the Wegovy pill. They can all cause digestive side effects, including feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, and constipation.

However, a key difference between GLP-1 pills, like Foundayo and the Wegovy pill, and Mounjaro and Wegovy, is that the tablets do not cause injection site reactions as they are taken by mouth.

Are Foundayo side effects worse than injectable GLP-1 medicines?

No, there is no evidence to suggest that Foundayo side effects are worse than injectable GLP-1 medications. Orforglipron shares a similar side effect profile with weight loss injections, with mild gastrointestinal side effects being the most commonly reported across all GLP-1’s.

Not everyone will get side effects when they take Foundayo or other weight loss medications, and how much they affect you can depend on several factors, including how your body responds to the active ingredient, your genes, age, and whether you make the necessary lifestyle changes.

How soon after starting Foundayo do side effects begin?

Most Foundayo side effects usually begin within the first few days of starting the medication, and after a dose increase. However, they tend to settle down as your body gets used to orforglipron, and not everybody who takes it will get side effects.

Does Foundayo cause low blood sugar?

No, Foundayo itself does not cause low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), but when it is taken with other diabetes medications, such as insulin or sulfonylureas it can. You should tell your doctor before taking orforglipron if you have type 2 diabetes or you are taking any other medications.

Does Foundayo affect the liver?

No, orforglipron is not known to cause liver injury. The weight loss caused by orforglipron often improves liver enzyme levels over time. However, orforglipron is not advised for people with severe liver problems due to a lack of safety data.

Does Foundayo cause hair loss?

Yes, hair loss is listed as a common Foundayo side effect that can affect up to 1 in 10 people. However, hair loss is usually a temporary condition called telogen effluvium, which is not caused by orforglipron itself, but is triggered by the rapid weight loss the medication causes and the stress this puts the body under. This results in excess hair shedding. If you are concerned about hair loss while taking orforglipron, speak to your doctor.