Oral GLP-1 Meds for Weight Loss

Weight loss medications

It’s hard to turn on the TV these days and not be inundated with the incessant commercial jingles advertising the injectable GLP-1 medications. I last blogged on these meds in June 2025,  but now there are two new oral GLP-1s medications that are commercially available. But, are they the sought after Holy Grail of weight loss?

Here comes the science you know I love to share with you in my blogs! Both pills mimic the GLP-1 hormone (AKA glucagon-like peptide-1) suppressing appetite and slowing digestion. This (incretin) hormone is naturally secreted by the small intestine in response to food ingested. The drugs are commonly referred to as “incretin mimetics” because they mimic the body’s natural hormone. 

#1: Launched in January 2026, Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy pill is the first FDA-approved oral (semaglutide) version of the popular Wegovy injection for weight loss and cardiovascular risk reduction. This pill must be taken with water in the morning on an empty stomach; followed by a 30-minute wait before eating or taking other medications. Studies showed an average weight loss of 14%-16% in participants, with about 76% achieving at least 5% weight loss. There are some contraindications based on personal and/or family history of certain medical disorders. 

Rybelsus, also an oral semaglutide, has been around for awhile now and is FDA-approved only for type 2 diabetes management—not weight loss. It’s not as popular as its injectable counterparts (ex. Ozempic) because the maximum dose of Rybelsus (14 mg) ) is generally considered equivalent to only the 0.5 mg (starting) dose of Ozempic, making it less effective for patients needing more intensive glycemic or weight control. 

#2: Orforglipron (brand-name Foundayo™) is Eli Lilly’s once-daily, oral GLP-1 pill for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight who have at least one weight-related condition (e.g., hypertension, type 2 diabetes). It is the first small molecule (non-peptide) pill that can be taken any time of day without food or water restrictions. Alongside diet and exercise, clinical trials showed patients lost an average of 12% to 15% of their body weight after 72 weeks on the highest dose. As with injectable GLP-1 drugs, both oral GLP-1’s are associated with gastrointestinal adverse events (see list below). 

Pros and Cons of Orals versus Injectables:

Cost: The starting price for the pills is better than the injectables.

Storage: The pills don’t need to be refrigerated like the injectables; storage space in may be a factor for some. It's easier to travel with pills on vacation or work trips. Injectables need to be disposed off. Are they adding to the landfill crisis?

Compliance: People may be more compliant swallowing a pill versus injecting a needle. But while usage might be easier with a pill, people need to remember to take the pill every day versus a once-a-week injection.

BMI: According to some studies, the injectables do work better for those with higher BMIs (>40).

Side Effects: Both have the same side gastrointestinal side effects that include nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. 

Pros and Cons between the two Orals: 

Both oral GLP-1s are available for as little as $25 per month for those with commercial insurance, or self-pay starting at $149 per month for the lowest dose.

Regarding the difference in these two pills — one doesn’t have food or water restrictions; one does.

Orforglipron is light sensitive so need to be dilligent storing it away from light source.

Statistically, obesity remains a major global health challenge. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that over one billion people worldwide are living with obesity. Unfortunately, lifestyle modification alone doesn’t produce a sustained weight loss for most people and pharmacotherapy has entered the arena and remains in the spotlight rendering an average weight reduction of 15–20% in clinical trials.

Stay tuned! I’m sure we will be hearing more about these GLP-1 drugs in the future.

In Good Health, 

Sophie