Oral Wegovy (semaglutide, approved Dec 2025) — about 15–17% weight loss, ~$149/month. Foundayo (orforglipron, approved April 2026) — about 12.4% weight loss, $149–$349/month, no food restrictions. Both are daily pills, dramatically cheaper than injectable GLP-1s.
Oral Wegovy — the semaglutide pill
Semaglutide — the same drug in Wegovy and Ozempic — is now available as a daily pill. This is a significant development because it removes the need for weekly injections and costs about $149/month, compared to about $1,350/month for the injection.
Key facts
Generic name
Semaglutide (oral)
Brand name
Wegovy (pill)
Dose
25mg daily (after titration)
Weight loss
About 15-17% (OASIS trials)
List price
~$149/month self-pay
With insurance
~$25/month (commercial)
Manufacturer
Novo Nordisk
How to take
Empty stomach, small sip of water, wait 30 min
What makes it significant
Before this approval, the only way to get semaglutide for weight loss was through a weekly injection costing over $1,000/month. The pill version makes the same drug accessible to millions more people at about a tenth of the price. Clinical data from the OASIS trials shows the pill produces similar weight loss to the injection.
The trade-off
The pill must be taken on an empty stomach with no more than 120ml of plain water, and you need to wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking, or taking other medications. For some people, this daily routine is easy. For others, it is inconvenient enough to prefer injection or a different pill.
Foundayo — the first no-restrictions GLP-1 pill
Foundayo (orforglipron) is a fundamentally different kind of GLP-1 drug. Unlike semaglutide and tirzepatide, which are large protein molecules, orforglipron is a small molecule — meaning it absorbs through the gut without any food or water timing restrictions. You can take it any time of day, with or without food.
Key facts
Generic name
Orforglipron
Brand name
Foundayo
Dose
Up to 36mg daily (titrated)
Weight loss
About 12.4% (ATTAIN-1)
List price
$149-$349/month
With insurance
~$25/month (commercial)
Manufacturer
Eli Lilly
How to take
Any time, with or without food
What makes it significant
Foundayo is the first non-peptide (small molecule) GLP-1 approved for weight loss. This matters because it can be taken without any food or water timing restrictions — unlike oral Wegovy, which requires a 30-minute fast. It also does not need refrigeration and is priced to be affordable without insurance.
The trade-off
Weight loss in clinical trials (about 12.4%) is less than injectable semaglutide (about 14.9%) or tirzepatide (about 20.9%). It is also less than oral Wegovy (about 15-17%). For some people, the convenience of no food restrictions outweighs the difference. For others, maximising weight loss is the priority.
Medicare coverage
Foundayo is expected to be available under Medicare Part D from July 2026 at about $50/month. This would make it one of the first GLP-1 weight loss medications accessible to Medicare beneficiaries at an affordable price.
How they compare
A quick side-by-side of the two new approvals. For a detailed comparison, see the full comparison page.
Oral Wegovy
Foundayo
The arrival of these two pills means that effective GLP-1 weight loss treatment is now available at about $149/month — a dramatic shift from just two years ago when the only options were injections costing over $1,000/month.
What is still in the pipeline
The next wave of weight loss drugs is in late-stage clinical trials. These are not yet approved, and timelines are estimated — but the data is worth knowing about.
Retatrutide (Eli Lilly)
In trialsTriple agonist (GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon)
Trial data
About 28.7% weight loss in Phase 3 (TRIUMPH-4)
Timeline
FDA approval estimated 2027
CagriSema (Novo Nordisk)
In trialsGLP-1 + amylin combination
Trial data
About 20.4% weight loss in Phase 3 (REDEFINE 1)
Timeline
NDA filed December 2025. FDA decision expected 2026.
Amycretin (Novo Nordisk)
In trialsGLP-1 + amylin (single molecule)
Trial data
Up to 22% weight loss in early trials. Phase 3 planned 2026.
Timeline
Earliest approval 2028+
MariTide (Amgen)
In trialsGIP antagonist + GLP-1 agonist (antibody-based)
Trial data
Up to 20% weight loss in Phase 2. Monthly dosing.
Timeline
Phase 3 ongoing. Earliest approval 2027+
Pipeline timelines are estimates and can shift. These drugs are not yet approved, and trial data may change as more results come in. If you need treatment now, today's approved options are well-proven.