Foundayo vs Wegovy

Foundayo and Wegovy are both glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists that are approved for weight loss in the UK. However, they contain different active ingredients, have different dosing schedules, and are available in different forms.

Foundayo is a daily weight loss pill that contains the active ingredient orforglipron and is manufactured by Eli Lilly, the same company that produces Mounjaro. While Wegovy is a once-weekly semaglutide-containing injection made by Novo Nordisk. Although Wegovy can produce greater average weight loss, Foundayo is a flexible pill that removes the need for injections.

Here, we look at the main differences between Foundayo, the first non-peptide GLP-1 pill approved in the UK, and Wegovy.

Foundayo and Wegovy work in the same way to help you lose weight, but there are some key differences, including their active ingredients, how you take them, their effectiveness, and their side effects.

Wegovy contains the active ingredient semaglutide, and Foundayo contains orforglipron. They are both GLP-1 agonists and work by:

• lowering your appetite
• slowing digestion to help you stay feeling fuller for longer
• regulating your blood sugar levels

How to take Foundayo vs Wegovy

One of the key differences between Foundayo and Wegovy is how and when you take them. Foundayo is a daily tablet, while Wegovy is a once-weekly injection that you administer yourself.

Foundayo is swallowed whole every day, preferably at the same time each day to ensure that the levels of orforglipron remain consistent in your body. Unlike other GLP-1 tablets, such as the Wegovy pill, there are no fasting or water restrictions, so you can take it with or without food.

The Wegovy injection is taken once weekly, on the same day each week for consistency. Each pen comes filled with 4 doses except for the 7.2mg pen which is single use, so there is no need to draw up any medication. However, you should rotate your injection site each week to minimise the chance of injection site reactions, such as redness, swelling, and pain.

How to store Foundayo vs Wegovy

There is a difference between how you must store Foundayo and how in-use and unopened Wegovy pens should be stored.

No, Foundayo is not as effective as Wegovy. Clinical trials have shown that users on the highest dose (7.2mg) of Wegovy lost an average of 20.7% of their starting weight, while similar clinical trials showed that those taking the highest dose (17.2mg) of Foundayo lost an average of 12.4% of their starting weight.

Does Foundayo work as well as Wegovy for everyone?

Because they contain different active ingredients, Foundayo and Wegovy are not equally effective for everyone. Clinical trials show that the maximum 7.2mg dose of Wegovy produces greater average weight loss results than the maximum Foundayo dose over 72 weeks.

Foundayo and Wegovy share similar side effects because they both belong to the same class of medication, GLP- receptor agonists, and work in the same way. However, research suggests that there are small differences in how frequently certain digestive side effects occur.

One of the key differences between Foundayo and Wegovy side effects is that Wegovy can cause injection site reactions, whereas Foundayo does not. So, if you have experienced recurrent redness, pain, or swelling when injecting Wegovy, you may consider switching to a weight loss injection.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are uncommon, but both treatments may be associated with:

• acute pancreatitis – inflammation of the pancreas
• gallbladder problems – including gallstones or inflammation of the gallbladder
• severe or persistent digestive problems – potentially including delayed stomach emptying or bowel obstruction
• dehydration and kidney problems – particularly after prolonged vomiting or diarrhoea
• severe allergic reactions – swelling of the face, eyes, lips, or tongue, difficulty breathing or swallowing
• low blood sugar – mainly when used with insulin or medicines such as sulfonylureas
• worsening diabetic eye disease –particularly after a rapid improvement in blood glucose
• sudden changes or loss of vision – potentially caused by the rare eye condition NAION

When should I seek medical help?

Call NHS 111 or contact your doctor urgently if you experience:

• severe, persistent stomach pain, particularly if it spreads to your back, with or without vomiting
• pain beneath the right ribs, fever, yellow skin or eyes, or pale stools
• repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, especially if you cannot keep fluids down
• signs of dehydration, including very dark urine, urinating less frequently, dizziness or confusion
• severe constipation with abdominal swelling, pain, vomiting or an inability to pass stools or wind
• worsening eyesight or other new visual symptoms
• shaking, sweating, hunger, confusion or weakness that may indicate low blood sugar

Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if:

• your lips, tongue, mouth or throat suddenly swell
• you are struggling to breathe or swallow
• you become very confused, faint, or unresponsive
• you have a seizure
• you experience sudden loss of vision

Another key difference between Foundayo and Wegovy is the dosing schedule. For both medications, you will begin your treatment on a low dose and gradually increase it until you reach a maintenance dose that is right for you. The reason for this is to allow your body to get used to the active ingredient and reduce the chance of side effects.

Foundayo dosing schedule

Foundayo is taken once a day, at any time that is convenient for you. It should be taken at the same time every day, but it can be taken with or without food. This makes it a more flexible and convenient weight loss pill for some people.

The Foundayo dosing schedule is as follows:

• Month 1 (starting dose) – 0.8mg
• Month 2 – 2.5mg
• Month 3 – 5.5mg
• Month 4 – 9mg
• Month 5 – 14.5mg
• Month 6 (maximum dose) – 17.2mg

Wegovy dosing schedule

Wegovy is injected once per week, on the same day each week. There are no food or drink restrictions, so you can take it at any time. You’ll start Wegovy on a low dose and increase it every 4 weeks until you reach either the 2.4mg or 7.2mg dose.

The Wegovy dosing schedule is as follows:

• Weeks 1 to 4 – 0.25mg
• Weeks 5 to 8 – 0.5mg
• Weeks 9 to 12 – 1mg
• Weeks 13 to 16 – 1.7mg
• Weeks 17 to 20 – 2.4mg
• Weeks 21+ – 7.2mg

It depends. Wegovy and Foundayo follow the same price pattern for the first two lowest doses. For example, starting doses Foundayo 0.8mg and Wegovy 0.25mg are both £99 at Superdrug Online Doctor. The step up dose for Foundayo (2.5mg) and Wegovy (0.5mg) also both cost £119. However, the next step up dose for Wegovy (1mg) is higher in price than the following step up dose for Foundayo (5.5mg) at Superdrug Online Doctor. If you are titrating up to the highest maintenance dose, Foundayo 17.2mg is £199 and Wegovy 7.2mg is £285. This makes the Wegovy more expensive over time.

However, how much you pay for treatment depends on your current dose needs and what your doctor recommends. For example, not everybody titrates to the highest maintenance dose of Wegovy or Foundayo. Even though Foundayo may appear to work out cheaper than Wegovy, it depends on your treatment plan, and costs can vary.

Compare the cost of Wegovy and Foundayo:

Wegovy price at Superdrug Online Doctor:

Foundayo price at Superdrug Online Doctor:

Yes, it is possible to switch from Wegovy to Foundayo if your doctor approves. The Foundayo dose you can switch to will depend on your current injection dose.

A doctor will advise you on how to safely switch from the Wegovy injection to Foundayo, and discuss the reasons why you want to switch, and whether there is anything you could do to maximise the effectiveness of your current medication.

Some people may consider switching from Wegovy to Foundayo after reaching their target weight to help maintain their progress. If you are considering Foundayo as a weight loss maintenance option, start a consultation with one of our doctors.