Orforglipron by Eli Lilly

Orforglipron is part of a group of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help reduce hunger and control blood sugar levels. Unlike other weight loss medications that come as injections, Orforglipron is a pill which patients take orally. As such this could be a better option for patients who don’t want to deal with needles or who have had reactions at injection sites.

The structure of this new medication gives it properties that make it more effective on the GLP-1 receptors, so a tablet is sufficient to have a significant impact. It is currently being studied in clinical trials, but early results show that it could help treat patients with obesity by helping them lose weight.

Orforglipron works by targeting hunger and glucose metabolism. Here’s how:

• It reduces your appetite. Orforglipron helps increase the hormone GLP-1 in the body. GLP-1 reduces the hunger signals from the brain so that patients aren’t tempted to each so much, reducing their calorie intake. 
• It slows down your stomach. By slowing the movement of food from the stomach, when a patient eats a meal they feel fuller sooner, so they eat smaller meals. 
• It regulates blood sugar. Orforglipron increases the amount of insulin glucose-lowering glucagon secreted by the pancreas, whilst also suppressing the amount of glucose-increasing glucagon released. This combination maintains lower blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

While Orforglipron is still in trials, early studies show promising results:

• Participants lost 15% of their body weight. In clinical trials, people taking Orforglipron lost an average of 15% of their body weight over 36 weeks. This makes it comparable to some weight loss injections like Wegovy or Saxenda, but with the convenience of a pill.
• Works for different people. The medication appears to be effective for people with a range of conditions, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. This means it could be a good option for people who haven’t had success with other weight loss methods.
• Long-term weight loss. While more research is needed, early data suggests that Orforglipron may help people keep the weight off long-term, especially if they maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Like most medications, Orforglipron has side effects, but most of them are mild and reduce over time.

Gastrointestinal side‐effects were predominant side effects, being dose‐dependent, with nausea, vomiting, constipation, and gastroesophageal reflux being the predominant ones.

Common side effects of Orforglipron

There are some common side effects of Orforglipron, including nausea, vomiting, reflux (heart burn), and constipation. These are similar to the side effects of other GLP-1 receptor agonists, like Semaglutide. Patients can experience these in the first few weeks, but most find that the symptoms reduce over time. Slowly increasing the dose when starting the tablets can also help reduce side effects.

Severe side effects

No severe side effects or events were noted in early trials; which may make Orforglipron a safer GLP-1 medication than many of its counterparts.  

Long-term safety of taking Orforglipron

Because Orforglipron is still being studied, we don’t have all the long-term safety data yet. However, researchers and medication authorities will monitor usage and subsequent trials over time to ensure it’s safe for long-term use.

Orforglipron is currently in Phase 3 clinical trials, which means researchers are testing it on a larger group of people to ensure it’s both safe and effective. This is expected to finish in 2027, meaning that it may be approved for use as early as 2028. Please note that none of these dates are confirmed by the manufacturer or the necessary licensing and regulatory bodies.

Orforglipron approval timeline

If these phase 3 trials go well, the medication might be approved for prescribing in 2028.

Prescription only

Like other weight loss medications, Orforglipron will likely be prescription-only. This means you’ll need to speak to your GP to see if it’s the right fit for your weight loss journey once it becomes available.

Orforglipron might be a great choice for patients who:

• Have a BMI over 30. If a patient has struggled with obesity and traditional weight loss methods haven’t worked, Orforglipron could be a solution. It’s designed to help people who are significantly overweight and need extra support in reducing their appetite and burning fat.
• Have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Because Orforglipron is particularly powerful at managing blood sugar levels, it may be especially useful for patients with diabetes. Managing blood sugar more effectively can reduce cravings and make it easier to lose weight.
• Patients who don’t want injections. If a patient is needle-phobic, or simply doesn’t like the idea of daily or weekly injections, Orforglipron’s tablet form could make it much easier for them to stick to their treatment plan.
• Frequent travellers. frequent travellers may find it more convenient to travel with tablets rather than injections.
• Type 2 diabetics with lipodystrophy. If a patient has problems with the fat under their skin after years of injections for diabetes, tablets will enable them to use a GLP-1 without the need for more injections.

How does Orforglipron compare to other weight loss treatments available today?

• Orforglipron vs Wegovy. Both Orforglipron and Wegovy work by boosting GLP-1 levels to reduce hunger, but Wegovy is an injection, while Orforglipron is a tablet. The convenience of taking a pill daily might make Orforglipron a better choice for patients who don’t want to inject themselves.
• Orforglipron vs Saxenda. Saxenda is another GLP-1-based medication, but it requires daily injections. Orforglipron offers a more convenient option for patients who want similar results but in a pill form.
• Orforglipron vs Tirzepatide (Mounjaro). Tirzepatide targets two different hunger pathways, while Orforglipron focuses on GLP-1 alone. Both are effective, but Orforglipron’s oral tablets might make it more attractive for long-term use.

This article is for healthcare professionals only. It should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Medic Spot Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. In the event of an emergency, please call 999 for immediate assistance.

There is no guarantee of a specific weight loss medication being prescribed. Clinicians will review your online questionnaire and will recommend the most appropriate weight loss treatments for you based on your answers. In some cases the clinicians may contact you for additional information. See Terms of Service for more information.