Orforglipron (Foundayo)
A once-daily GLP-1 tablet. No food, water or timing rules — just swallow it whole, once a day.
Six strengths in milligrams, taken in order. You stay on each one for at least 30 days before moving up.
The steps are milligrams, not a scale — the bars just show the direction of travel. Moving up is not automatic. Your provider decides each increase based on how you are responding and how you are tolerating it, and staying at a lower strength that is working for you is a perfectly good outcome.
Tablet, Swallowed Whole
Once Daily
Not Required
Room Temperature
A GLP-1 That Comes As A Pill
Foundayo is the brand name for orforglipron. It works on the same GLP-1 receptor as the weekly injectables, but it is built differently — and that difference is why it is so much easier to take.
A Small Molecule, Not A Peptide
Semaglutide and tirzepatide are peptides, which is why they are injected or, in pill form, come with strict empty-stomach rules. Orforglipron is a small molecule, so your stomach does not break it down the same way.
No Food, Water Or Timing Rules
Take it whenever suits you, with or without food, with any drink. It is the only GLP-1 pill without a waiting window — you do not have to plan your morning around it.
What It Is Approved For
Alongside a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity, to reduce excess body weight and keep it off long term in adults with obesity, or with overweight plus at least one weight-related condition.
Not Alongside Another GLP-1
Taking it at the same time as another GLP-1 medication is not recommended. If you are switching from a weekly injection, your provider will tell you when to stop the old one and start this.
How To Take Foundayo
Once A Day, Any Time
- One tablet a day — never more than one, even if you missed yesterday.
- With or without food, at whatever time of day you will actually remember.
- Picking a consistent time helps, but it is a habit tip, not a rule.
Swallow It Whole
- Do not break, crush or chew the tablet.
- Do not split a higher strength to make a lower dose — the tablet is not designed to be divided, and you would not get the dose you think you are getting.
- If swallowing tablets is difficult for you, tell your provider rather than working around it.
If You Miss A Dose
- Take it as soon as you remember.
- Do not double up the next day to catch up.
- If you have missed seven or more days in a row, message your provider before restarting — they will usually start you again at a lower strength and build back up.
Storing It
- Room temperature, 68–77°F. No refrigeration.
- It is light sensitive — keep the tablets in their original bottle and carton rather than a pill organizer.
- Brief warmer or cooler spells in transit are fine; a hot car all afternoon is not.
When To Get Help, & How Fast
Most side effects settle down. These are the ones that do not wait. Since we are a remote practice, we can't provide emergency or same-day in-person care, as your provider won't be available every day — so for anything on the first two lists, get seen in person first and tell us afterwards.
Call 911 Or Go To An Emergency Room
- Swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing or swallowing — a severe allergic reaction.
- A very fast heartbeat with dizziness or fainting, especially alongside a rash or swelling.
Stop The Medication & Get Seen Today
- Severe stomach pain that will not let up, especially if it goes through to your back, with or without vomiting — this can be pancreatitis.
- Pain in the upper right side of your belly, fever, yellowing of your skin or eyes, or clay-colored stools — possible gallbladder trouble.
- Vomiting or diarrhea you cannot keep ahead of, to the point you cannot keep fluids down — dehydration can injure your kidneys.
Tell Your Provider Promptly
- A lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath that is new.
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea that is not settling after the first couple of weeks on a dose.
- Changes in your vision, if you have type 2 diabetes.
- Shakiness, sweating, confusion or a racing heart, if you also take insulin or a sulfonylurea — your other medication may need adjusting.
- Hair thinning, which some people notice as weight comes off.
Things To Know Going In
Boxed Warning: Risk Of Thyroid C-Cell Tumors
- Foundayo should not be taken by anyone with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma, or with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2.
- It also should not be taken by anyone who has had a serious allergic reaction to orforglipron or anything else in the tablet.
- Worth understanding: this warning applies to GLP-1 medications as a group. Unlike the injectables, orforglipron did not cause these tumors in rodent studies — it is not active at the rodent receptor at all — so the warning is carried forward with its relevance to people unknown. That is a real distinction, and it is also not a reason to treat the contraindications as optional.
If You Take Oral Birth Control
- Switch to a non-oral method, or add a barrier method, for 30 days after you start Foundayo and for 30 days after every dose increase.
- The reason is that Foundayo slows how quickly your stomach empties, which can affect how well a pill is absorbed. This is specific to oral contraceptives.
- The 30-day window is different from tirzepatide's, which is four weeks — if you have taken that before, do not assume the same number.
Before Any Surgery Or Procedure
- Tell your surgical and anesthesia team well in advance that you take Foundayo. Give them the name, your dose, and the date of your last dose.
- They may ask you to stop it for a period beforehand. That decision belongs to the team performing your procedure — follow what they tell you.
- This also applies to dental procedures with sedation, and to scopes.
Tell Us About The Rest Of Your History
- Pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, kidney problems, or diabetic eye disease are all worth mentioning before you start.
- So is pregnancy, planning a pregnancy, or breastfeeding.
- Bring your full medication list, including anything over the counter — slower stomach emptying can affect how other oral medications are absorbed.
What Most People Notice
Almost all of it is digestive, worst in the first weeks on a new strength, and it eases. The figures below are from the manufacturer's trials at the highest dose, next to what people on placebo reported — that second column is worth reading, because some of this happens to people who are not on the medication at all.
| Side Effect | Foundayo 17.2 mg | Placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 35% | 10% |
| Diarrhea | 25% | 11% |
| Constipation | 24% | 9% |
| Vomiting | 24% | 4% |
| Abdominal Pain | 14% | 7% |
| Indigestion | 13% | 4% |
| Headache | 9% | 7% |
| Fatigue | 9% | 4% |
| Burping | 8% | 1% |
| Acid Reflux | 7% | 2% |
| Gas | 6% | 2% |
From the Foundayo prescribing information. Rates at lower strengths were generally lower. Nothing here is a prediction for you — plenty of people get through titration with very little.
Not Sure About Something On This Page?
Message your provider through the patient portal for anything about your dose, your symptoms, or how this fits with your other medications. For orders and shipping, our support team is here for you 7 days a week.
This summary is for general education and does not replace the instructions your provider gave you or the manufacturer's Medication Guide. Always follow your own prescription label.