Foundayo Pill + The Lotus Patient App

After consultation, your clinician may recommend weekly or daily approved treatments, combined with diet and exercise coaching. This is tailored precisely to your health and goals.

The easiest way to find out is to complete our online consultation. It will guide you through each step and help us safely assess your eligibility. Once submitted, your consultation will be reviewed by one of our UK-registered clinicians, who will confirm whether treatment is safe and suitable for you.

You may be eligible to begin treatment if you’re aged 18–74 and have:

• A BMI of 30 or above; or
• A BMI of 27 or above with a weight-related health condition, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes or sleep apnoea.

Lower BMI thresholds may apply to people from certain ethnic backgrounds.

We also welcome patients joining us from other clinics. You may be eligible to continue or switch treatment with Lotus if your current BMI is 20 or above and you’ve used weight-loss medication within the last six months. We’ll ask for evidence of your previous treatment so our clinicians can assess the most appropriate next step.

Many people feel less hungry in the first weeks, then see steady weight loss. Our team monitors you closely throughout.

Our ‘Switch & Save’ service handles all the paperwork, moves your dosage plan over, and confirms your eligibility. You keep your treatment on track with zero gaps.

We adhere to GDPR, using encrypted systems for all consultations and records, so your personal and health data remain strictly confidential.

Foundayo is a once-daily weight loss tablet containing orforglipron. Orforglipron is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, which means it mimics a natural hormone involved in appetite regulation.

It can support weight loss by reducing hunger, helping you feel fuller for longer, slowing stomach emptying and making it easier to reduce your calorie intake alongside healthy lifestyle changes.

Unlike the Wegovy pill, Foundayo can be taken at any time of day, with or without food and without specific water restrictions.

Foundayo may be suitable for people who would prefer a tablet to a weekly injection or who want greater flexibility around when they take their medication.

Patient type	Why they may prefer Foundayo
New patients who dislike injections	A needle-free way to start GLP-1 weight loss treatment
People who want flexible daily dosing	It can be taken at any time of day, with or without food
People who struggle with the Wegovy pill routine	Foundayo does not require an overnight fast or a 30-minute wait before eating
Current Wegovy or Mounjaro users	An oral alternative for suitable patients who no longer want weekly injections
People returning after a treatment break	A different option that can be restarted gradually following a clinical review
Maintenance patients looking to reduce treatment costs	A potentially lower-cost alternative to injectable treatment that is licensed to support long-term weight maintenance

Foundayo is licensed for weight loss and weight maintenance in adults with:

Eligibility group	BMI requirement
Obesity	BMI of 30 or above
Overweight with at least one weight-related health condition	BMI of 27 to 29.9

Weight-related health conditions may include high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol or blood-fat levels, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnoea or cardiovascular disease.

A Lotus prescriber will also assess your medical history, current medicines, previous GLP-1 treatment, side effects, pregnancy plans and whether Foundayo is the most appropriate option for you.

Foundayo is not licensed for anyone under 18 years old. It may also be unsuitable, or require additional clinical assessment, if you have previously had pancreatitis, severe digestive problems such as severe gastroparesis, gallbladder problems, severe heart failure, diabetic eye disease or significant medicine interactions.

Not necessarily. The best treatment depends on your goals, previous treatment, side effects, daily routine and whether you prefer a daily tablet or a weekly injection.

Foundayo's main advantage is convenience: it is needle-free and can be taken at any time of day without food or water restrictions. Injections may suit people who prefer to take their medicine only once a week or who are seeking the greater average weight loss seen with some injectable treatments.

In the ATTAIN-1 study, people taking the highest Foundayo-equivalent dose lost an average of around 11% of their starting body weight when all participants were included and around 12% when treatment was taken as planned. Separate clinical studies have reported higher average weight loss with Mounjaro and higher-dose Wegovy injections.

These medicines have not all been compared directly in the same study, so clinical trial percentages should not be interpreted as a guaranteed or exact comparison. Individual results vary.

In the ATTAIN-1 clinical study, adults with obesity or overweight and a weight-related health condition, but without diabetes, took Foundayo alongside healthy eating and physical activity for 72 weeks.

People receiving the highest dose lost an average of around 11% of their starting body weight when all participants were included, whether or not they completed treatment exactly as planned. When looking at people who continued treatment as planned, average weight loss was around 12%.

Some people lost considerably more, while others lost less. Your results will depend on factors including your dose, how consistently you take the medicine, side effects, diet, activity, sleep, other health conditions and your individual response to treatment.

No. Foundayo and the Wegovy pill are both once-daily GLP-1 weight loss tablets, but they contain different active ingredients and are taken differently.

Feature	Foundayo	Wegovy pill
Active ingredient	Orforglipron	Semaglutide
Type of medicine	Small-molecule, non-peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist	Peptide GLP-1 receptor agonist
How often it is taken	Once daily	Once daily
Starting dose	0.8 mg once daily	1.5 mg once daily
Highest dose	17.2 mg once daily	25 mg once daily
Food restrictions	None	Must be taken after fasting for at least 8 hours
Water restrictions	No specific restriction	Must be taken with no more than 120 ml of water
Waiting time after taking it	None	Wait at least 30 minutes before food, drink or other tablets

Foundayo may be more convenient for people who find the Wegovy pill's fasting and timing requirements difficult. However, the two medicines are not dose-for-dose equivalents, and the most suitable choice depends on your treatment history, routine, response and side effects.

No. Both medicines are made by Eli Lilly, but they contain different active ingredients and work differently.

Foundayo contains orforglipron and works on the GLP-1 receptor. It is taken as a tablet once daily. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide and works on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. It is given as an injection once weekly.

Mounjaro produced greater average weight loss in its own clinical study, while Foundayo offers a needle-free option that can be taken without food or water restrictions. These results come from separate trials, so they should not be treated as a direct head-to-head comparison.

Take one Foundayo tablet once daily, exactly as prescribed.

Step	What to do
1	Take one tablet at any time of day
2	Take it with or without food
3	Swallow the tablet whole
4	Do not break, crush or chew the tablet
5	Do not take more than one Foundayo tablet in one day

Foundayo does not need to be taken on an empty stomach, and there is no requirement to wait before eating, drinking or taking most other medicines. Taking it at roughly the same time each day may help you remember your dose.

Most people who are new to Foundayo start with 0.8 mg once daily for at least 30 days. The dose is increased gradually to help your body adjust and reduce the likelihood of side effects.

Treatment stage	Foundayo dose
Starting dose	0.8 mg once daily for at least 30 days
First dose increase	2.5 mg once daily for at least 30 days
Further dose levels, if appropriate	5.5 mg, 9 mg, 14.5 mg and 17.2 mg once daily
Maximum dose	17.2 mg once daily

There must be at least 30 days between dose increases. Not everyone needs to reach the maximum dose. Your prescriber may recommend remaining on a lower dose for longer depending on your weight loss, appetite, side effects and treatment goals.

People switching from another GLP-1 medicine may sometimes be offered a different starting dose following a prescriber assessment.

Some people notice reduced hunger, fewer cravings or feeling fuller within the first few days or weeks. For others, the effect becomes more noticeable after the dose has been increased.

Weight loss usually develops gradually. Foundayo starts at a low dose and can only be increased after at least 30 days at each dose level, so it may take several months to reach the dose that gives you the best balance between appetite control, weight loss and tolerability.

Yes. Foundayo is licensed for weight maintenance as well as weight loss, provided it remains clinically appropriate for you.

After you reach your target weight, your prescriber may recommend continuing Foundayo to help manage your appetite and reduce the risk of weight regain. There is no single dose that is right for everyone. Your maintenance dose will depend on your response, side effects, weight trajectory and individual goals.

The ATTAIN-MAINTAIN clinical study provides evidence for this use. Among participants whose weight had plateaued, people who switched from Wegovy (semaglutide) or Mounjaro (tirzepatide) injections to once-daily Foundayo maintained around 75% to 79% of their previous weight loss after 52 weeks—significantly more than those switched to placebo.

If you stop taking Foundayo, your appetite may gradually return and some weight regain is possible, particularly if lifestyle changes are difficult to maintain. This does not mean you are dependent on the medicine; it reflects that obesity can be a long-term condition requiring ongoing management.

Lotus supports GLP-1 maintenance patients with structured education, clinical support and access to our maintenance community. You can also apply to join Lotus for maintenance if your current medication was prescribed by another provider, subject to our maintenance eligibility criteria and evidence of previous treatment.

Yes. Some patients may be able to switch from Mounjaro to Foundayo or from Foundayo to Mounjaro following a clinical assessment. However, these medicines are not directly interchangeable and there is no exact dose-for-dose conversion between them.

Mounjaro contains tirzepatide and acts on both GIP and GLP-1 receptors. It is given as an injection once weekly. Foundayo contains orforglipron, acts on the GLP-1 receptor and is taken as a tablet once daily.

Switching from Mounjaro to Foundayo

Current Mounjaro dose	Estimated Foundayo switching dose
2.5 mg once weekly	0.8 mg once daily
5 mg once weekly	2.5 mg once daily
7.5 mg once weekly	5.5 mg once daily
10 mg once weekly	9 mg once daily
12.5 mg once weekly	9 mg once daily
15 mg once weekly	9 mg once daily

Switching from Foundayo to Mounjaro

Patients switching to Mounjaro will usually begin with its standard starting dose of 2.5 mg once weekly, regardless of their current Foundayo dose.

Current Foundayo dose	Suggested Mounjaro starting dose
0.8 mg once daily	2.5 mg once weekly
2.5 mg once daily	2.5 mg once weekly
5.5 mg once daily	2.5 mg once weekly
9 mg once daily	2.5 mg once weekly
14.5 mg once daily	2.5 mg once weekly
17.2 mg once daily	2.5 mg once weekly

These tables are Lotus’s estimated switching guidance. There is no clinically proven dose-for-dose conversion between Mounjaro and Foundayo. Starting Foundayo above its usual 0.8 mg starting dose is an off-label switching approach that has not been formally evaluated in a direct clinical trial.

Your prescriber will confirm your starting dose after reviewing your current treatment, when you last took it, how well you have tolerated it and whether you have experienced any side effects. A lower dose may be recommended if you have had side effects or a break in treatment.

Mounjaro and Foundayo must not be taken together. Your prescriber will tell you when to stop your current medication and when to begin the new one.

New customers can complete our online consultation. Existing Lotus customers can log in to their account, select Re-order and choose the option to change medication.

Yes. Some patients may be able to switch from a Wegovy injection to Foundayo or from Foundayo to a Wegovy injection following a prescriber review. The medicines are not directly interchangeable, and the dose offered will depend on your current treatment, when you last used it, how long you have taken it and whether you have experienced any side effects.

Wegovy contains semaglutide and is injected once weekly. Foundayo contains orforglipron and is taken as a tablet once daily.

Switching from a Wegovy injection to Foundayo

Current Wegovy injection dose	Estimated Foundayo switching dose
0.25 mg once weekly	0.8 mg once daily
0.5 mg once weekly	2.5 mg once daily
1 mg once weekly	5.5 mg once daily
1.7 mg once weekly	9 mg once daily
2.4 mg once weekly	9 mg once daily
7.2 mg once weekly	9 mg once daily

Switching from Foundayo to a Wegovy injection

Current Foundayo dose	Estimated Wegovy injection switching dose
0.8 mg once daily	0.25 mg once weekly
2.5 mg once daily	0.5 mg once weekly
5.5 mg once daily	1 mg once weekly
9 mg once daily	1.7 mg once weekly
14.5 mg once daily	1.7 mg once weekly
17.2 mg once daily	1.7 mg once weekly

These tables are Lotus’s estimated switching guidance. There is no clinically proven dose-for-dose conversion between semaglutide injections and Foundayo. Starting Foundayo above its usual 0.8 mg starting dose, or starting a Wegovy injection above its usual 0.25 mg starting dose, is an off-label switching approach that has not been formally evaluated in a direct clinical trial.

Your prescriber will confirm your starting dose after reviewing your current treatment, when you last took it, how well you have tolerated it and whether you have experienced any side effects. A lower dose may be recommended if you have had side effects or a break in treatment.

Wegovy and Foundayo must not be taken together. Your prescriber will tell you when to take your final dose of your current medication and when to begin the new one.

New customers can complete our online consultation. Existing Lotus customers can log in to their account, select Re-order and choose the option to change medication.

Yes. Some patients may be able to switch from the Wegovy pill to Foundayo or from Foundayo to the Wegovy pill following a clinical assessment. Although both are once-daily GLP-1 tablets, they contain different active ingredients and are not directly interchangeable.

The Wegovy pill contains semaglutide and must be taken after fasting, with specific restrictions around food, water and other oral medicines. Foundayo contains orforglipron and can be taken at any time of day, with or without food and without specific water restrictions.

Switching from the Wegovy pill to Foundayo

Current Wegovy pill dose	Estimated Foundayo switching dose
1.5 mg once daily	0.8 mg once daily
4 mg once daily	2.5 mg once daily
9 mg once daily	5.5 mg once daily
25 mg once daily	9 mg once daily

Switching from Foundayo to the Wegovy pill

Current Foundayo dose	Estimated Wegovy pill switching dose
0.8 mg once daily	1.5 mg once daily
2.5 mg once daily	4 mg once daily
5.5 mg once daily	9 mg once daily
9 mg once daily	25 mg once daily
14.5 mg once daily	25 mg once daily
17.2 mg once daily	25 mg once daily

These tables are Lotus’s estimated switching guidance and are based on clinical judgement rather than a formally studied dose conversion. Starting Foundayo above its usual 0.8 mg starting dose, or starting the Wegovy pill above its usual 1.5 mg starting dose, is an off-label switching approach.

Your prescriber will confirm your starting dose after reviewing your current treatment, when you last took it, how well you have tolerated it and whether you have experienced any side effects. A lower dose may be recommended if you have had side effects or a break in treatment.

Foundayo and the Wegovy pill must not be taken together. Your prescriber will tell you when to stop your current medication and when to begin the new one.

New customers can complete our online consultation. Existing Lotus customers can log in to their account, select Re-order and choose the option to change medication.

The most common Foundayo side effects affect the digestive system and are more likely when starting treatment or increasing the dose.

Very common side effects include:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• being sick (vomiting)
• indigestion
• stomach pain

Other common side effects include:

• dizziness or headache
• bloating, burping, wind or reflux
• tiredness
• hair loss associated with weight reduction
• gallstones
• a fast pulse or low blood pressure

Most digestive side effects are mild to moderate and improve as your body adjusts. Eating smaller meals, avoiding very rich or greasy foods, drinking enough fluid and increasing the dose gradually may help.

Seek urgent medical advice if you experience persistent severe abdominal pain that may spread to your back, sudden or unusual changes to your vision, symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, severe constipation or symptoms of a bowel blockage such as severe abdominal pain, swelling and vomiting.

You can read the complete Foundayo Patient Information Leaflet for further information.

Yes. Foundayo can interact with some medicines, and some medicines can change the amount of Foundayo in your body. Your prescriber needs a complete and accurate list of everything you take, including prescribed medicines, over-the-counter treatments and herbal products.

This is particularly important if you take:

• insulin or a sulfonylurea (e.g. gliclazide) for diabetes,, because the risk of low blood sugar may increase
• clarithromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, ritonavir or telaprevir
• carbamazepine, bosentan, efavirenz, rifampicin, phenytoin or St John's wort
• simvastatin or rosuvastatin
• topotecan
• oral hormonal contraception

Some interactions require a dose adjustment, additional monitoring or a different treatment. Strong enzyme-inducing medicines, including rifampicin, phenytoin, carbamazepine and St John's wort, may reduce Foundayo's effectiveness and may make it unsuitable.

Our online consultation will assess whether Foundayo is suitable alongside your current medicines.

Foundayo may reduce the effectiveness of oral hormonal contraceptives.

If you use an oral contraceptive, you should use an additional barrier method, such as condoms, or change to a non-oral method of contraception for:

• 30 days after starting Foundayo; and
• 30 days after every increase in your Foundayo dose.

Speak to your prescriber, pharmacist, GP or sexual health service if you are unsure which contraceptive option is right for you.

No. Foundayo should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

If you are planning a pregnancy, you should stop Foundayo at least 3 weeks before trying to conceive. Effective contraception is recommended while you are taking it.

If you become pregnant while taking Foundayo, stop treatment and contact a healthcare professional for advice.

If you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not take more than one Foundayo tablet in the same day.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed tablet. If you are unsure what to do, speak to your pharmacist or prescriber.

Foundayo has been authorised by the MHRA for weight loss and weight maintenance in the UK, but it is not currently routinely available through the NHS.

NICE guidance for orforglipron is still in development and is currently expected to be published on 18 November 2026. Any future NHS access will depend on the final NICE recommendation, NHS commissioning decisions, local availability and individual eligibility criteria.

Private prescribing is available following a clinical assessment and subject to the medicine being suitable for you.