What is Foundayo?
Foundayo is a new glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Like other GLP-1 treatments such as Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide), it works by making you feel fuller for longer, slowing down your digestion and helping keep your blood sugar levels even. However, unlike other GLP-1 treatments currently available, Foundayo is a tablet that you take every day with either food or drink, or on an empty stomach, making it much easier for people to use.
How is Foundayo different from oral Wegovy?
Foundayo is manufactured by Eli Lilly, the makers of Mounjaro. It's taken as a tablet once a day and can be taken with or without food and water.
The oral form of Wegovy is manufactured by Novo Nordisk, the makers of Wegovy injections. Unlike Foundayo, oral Wegovy is also taken once a day but must be taken on an empty stomach with no more than 100ml (just under ½ cup) of water, followed by a 30-minute fast before eating, drinking, or taking other medicines.
Like other GLP-1 treatments, both tablets are started at a low dose, with a gradual increase in dose strength every four weeks.
How does Foundayo compare to other GLP-1 treatments?
Here's a quick summary of how different weight loss medicines compare when it comes to achieving weight loss. The figures come from different trials, so they aren't a direct comparison, but they give an idea of how each one performs.
| Treatment | Average weight loss* |
| Foundayo | 12.4% |
| Wegovy Pills | 16.6% |
| Wegovy | 20.7% |
| Mounjaro | 22.5% |
*Trial durations ranged from 16 to 18 months. Average weight loss seen at the highest doses.
How to take Foundayo?
Foundayo is taken as one tablet, once a day, with or without food.
What are the main side effects of Foundayo?
The side effects noted during clinical trials were mild and similar to those found in other GLP-1 treatments like Wegovy and Mounjaro.
The most common side effects included:
- nausea
- vomiting
- indigestion
- diarrhoea
- constipation
- acid reflux
More serious side effects were much less common. Other common side effects include: feeling lightheaded, excess wind (flatulence), headache, the development of gallstones, or hair loss.
You can find guidance on managing the most common side effects on our website.
In rare cases, there can be serious side effects such as pancreatitis (inflammation or swelling of the pancreas) or anaphylaxis (a life-threatening allergic reaction). If you experience any of the following symptoms, you need to get medical help immediately:
- severe abdominal pain with or without persistent vomiting
- difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face, lips or tongue and difficulty swallowing
For a complete list of possible side effects, please make sure to read the Patient Information Leaflet carefully before starting treatment.
If you're struggling with side effects, you can contact us in your patient account to discuss this with our clinical team.
What else should I know about Foundayo?
As with other GLP-1 treatments, Foundayo will not be suitable for everyone. Foundayo will likely only be approved for people who meet specific criteria and who also have weight-related health problems such as prediabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart problems.
Foundayo is not recommended if you're pregnant or breastfeeding.
As with all of our other weight loss treatments, you'll need to give us a full medical history and details of any conditions or other medicines you're taking when you fill out our online questionnaire. This ensures we're able to prescribe Foundayo if it's suitable and safe for you.
Can I switch to Foundayo from another GLP-1 treatment?
Yes, it's possible to switch from another GLP-1 treatment to Foundayo. If your current GLP-1 is working well, you can manage your side effects, and you're losing weight, there's no clinical need to change. But it could be a suitable option if you experience discomfort using injections (like getting skin reactions around injection sites), or if you're considering coming off injectable treatments in the future but want to maintain your progress. It also may be easier to travel with.
Like other GLP-1 treatments, the dose is gradually increased until you reach a maintenance dose. For those already on injectable treatment wanting to switch to a pill, your clinician will advise which starting dose is best for you. This will depend on your circumstances and our clinical team will review switching requests individually.
What are alternative weight loss treatments?
If you feel that Foundayo isn't right for you, there are other treatments to help support your weight loss and weight management journey. Speak to your GP or healthcare provider, or visit our Weight Loss Treatment service for more information.
What can I do in the meantime?
If you decide that prescription weight loss treatments aren't for you or want to get started on your weight loss journey right now, there are ways that you can help yourself to lose weight in a healthy and sustained way.
Whether you take prescription weight loss treatment or not, you're more likely to achieve lasting, healthy and sustainable weight loss if you have support. Boots Online Doctor offers several free resources to help support your weight loss journey including our:
- 10-week weight loss programme
- healthy movement, healthy body videos you can do at home
- Weight Loss 360° podcast
- Weight loss webinars
You're also more likely to lose weight if you keep track of what you eat and your daily movement which can help you become more aware of which habits support your weight loss and which ones can lead to weight gain. An easy and free way to keep track of your diet and exercise is by downloading our free Weight Loss Tracker app, available on iPhone or Android.
If you need extra support, you can also sign up for one-to-one coaching through our Weight Loss Treatment service (depending on suitability). Our coaches can answer your weight loss questions, provide guidance on nutrition, help with your goals and activity, and offer regular check-ins to help keep you motivated. You'll also have access to our weight loss community so you can chat with other people on their weight loss journey for support.
Is mental health support available for patients receiving weight loss treatment?
Yes, support is available. If you're undergoing weight loss treatment and finding it challenging to manage your mental health or feel you need additional help, you should message us through your account for further advice, we're here for you. You can also visit our Mental Health Hub for more information and support.
You can send us a message through your patient account or submit a consultation through our Depression and Anxiety treatment service.
Additionally, you might find our free Boots Online Doctor podcast helpful: Your Better Mental Wellbeing focuses on managing stress and is accessible to everyone.
