Orforglipron: new GLP-1 weight loss tablet yields promising results

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Could a daily tablet replace weight loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro? See how the new GLP-1 drug orforglipron measures up.

A new GLP-1 medication is making waves in obesity research. Taken as a once-daily pill, orforglipron could change how people use GLP-1 drugs for weight management.

As Medscape reports, phase III trial results suggest the oral treatment may yield nearly as much weight loss as the popular weekly injection Wegovy.

Let's dive into the data to find out more.

What is orforglipron?

Orforglipron belongs to the same class of drugs as semaglutide (the active ingredient in Wegovy) and tirzepatide (the active ingredient in Mounjaro). Known as 'GLP-1 receptor agonists', these drugs mimic a natural gut hormone that helps slow stomach emptying, steady blood sugar and reduce appetite.

Most GLP-1s are taken as weekly injections. But orforglipron is different. It's taken by mouth once a day – no needles necessary.

What do the latest results show?

The latest results come from ATTAIN-1, a large phase III study testing the effectiveness of orforglipron for people who are overweight or living with obesity.

This international trial is one of the most comprehensive studies of an oral GLP-1 treatment to date. It followed more than 3000 adults across nine countries for 72 weeks.

Results showed that people taking the highest dose of orforglipron lost 11.2% of their body weight on average. Participants also showed improvements in several key health markers, including reduced systolic blood pressure, triglycerides and non-HDL cholesterol.

The most common side effects were mild stomach-related issues like nausea and constipation – similar to the side effects of weight loss injections. However, these were usually only a temporary problem for participants.

With impressive weight loss and relatively mild side effects, these results place orforglipron among the most effective oral weight loss medicines studied so far.

Why an oral option matters

It's normal to be a little nervous when using weight loss injections. Most people quickly get used to injecting themselves. However, for the minority who are severely needlephobic, using these revolutionary treatments may feel like one hurdle too high.

For these people, removing the psychological barrier of needles could be the difference between considering a GLP-1 and avoiding it entirely. A daily pill could make treatment more approachable and easier to weave into everyday routines.

Plus, there's the simple benefit of easier day-to-day management. Tablets don't need ice packs or sharps bins. You can simply pack them in your bag and pop out a pill when you need one.

How it compares with Wegovy and Mounjaro

The million-dollar question: could orforglipron give Wegovy or Mounjaro a run for its money?

Not quite. With weekly Wegovy injections, users typically lose around 15% of their body weight. The average with Mounjaro is closer to 21%.

Phase III trial data for orforglipron show weight loss approaching those levels, but it's still not the Wegovy conqueror some may have hoped for.

Nonetheless, orforglipron looks to be the first oral GLP-1 that gets close to the effectiveness of these established weight loss injections. That's an impressive achievement in itself.

Will SemaPen offer orforglipron?

At SemaPen, we regularly review new and emerging therapies. That's because we want to give our subscribers the freedom to choose what's best for them.

That said, it's still early days for orforglipron. Regulatory approvals and longer-term safety data will determine when – and if – we begin to offer the drug.

For now, we'll continue to offer Wegovy and Mounjaro as part of our structured, expert-led weight loss Programmes. These remain the most proven and effective treatments available today.

SemaPen is a weight loss injection clinic founded by leading UK obesity expert Professor David Kerrigan. For more news and advice, follow our blog.

Sources

1. Wharton, S. et al. (2025) "Orforglipron, an Oral Small-Molecule GLP-1 Receptor Agonist for Obesity Treatment" The New England Journal of Medicine,

2. Wilding, J.P.H. et al. (2021) "Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity" The New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11) https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183

3. Jastreboff, A.M. et al. (2022) "Tirzepatide Once Weekly for the Treatment of Obesity" The New England Journal of Medicine, 387(3) https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2206038

This article was reviewed and approved by Alice Fletcher, Lead Bariatric Dietitian, on 29 September 2025.

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