Key facts
- Foundayo is Lilly’s small-molecule (non-peptide) GLP-1 pill. The Wegovy pill is Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide, a peptide, absorbed with the help of SNAC.[11][2]
- Foundayo is taken with or without food. The Wegovy pill must be taken on an empty stomach with up to 4 ounces of water, then 30 minutes before eating, drinking or other oral medicines.[1][2]
- In separate trials, Foundayo 17.2 mg gave -11.1% at 72 weeks (ATTAIN-1) and the Wegovy pill 25 mg gave -13.6% at 64 weeks (OASIS 4).[1][2]
- Self-pay prices both start at $149 a month. The top doses are $299 to $349 for Foundayo and $299 for the Wegovy pill.[14][16]
- Both are US prescription medicines. Neither is sold by DBR Labs, and this page is not medical advice.
Foundayo vs Wegovy Pill at a Glance
Both are once-daily GLP-1 pills for weight management, but Foundayo comes in six strengths from 0.8 mg to 17.2 mg with no food rules, while the Wegovy pill comes in four strengths from 1.5 mg to 25 mg and is taken fasting.[1][2]
| Feature | Foundayo (orforglipron) | Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide) |
|---|---|---|
| Maker | Eli Lilly[11] | Novo Nordisk[12] |
| Molecule type | Small molecule, non-peptide[11] | Peptide (GLP-1 analogue) with the absorption enhancer SNAC[2] |
| Tablet strengths | 0.8, 2.5, 5.5, 9, 14.5 and 17.2 mg[1] | 1.5, 4, 9 and 25 mg[2] |
| How to take it | Once daily, with or without food; no water limit on the label[1] | Once daily on an empty stomach in the morning with up to 4 oz of water; wait 30 min before food, drink or other oral medicines[2] |
| Best weight result | -11.1% vs -2.1% placebo at 72 weeks, 17.2 mg (ATTAIN-1)[1] | -13.6% vs -2.4% placebo at 64 weeks, 25 mg (OASIS 4)[2] |
| Nausea | 35% vs 10% placebo at 17.2 mg (ATTAIN-1 and ATTAIN-2 pooled)[1] | 46.6% vs 18.6% placebo at 25 mg (OASIS 4)[8] |
| Self-pay price | $149 to $349 a month by dose[14] | $149 to $299 a month by dose[16] |
| FDA approval | 1 April 2026[3] | 22 December 2025[4] |
Foundayo vs Wegovy Pill: Key Differences
The two pills differ in five ways that matter day to day: molecule (non-peptide vs peptide), food and water rules, dose steps (six strengths vs four), approved uses, and trial results of 11.1% vs 13.6% weight loss in separate trials.[1][2]
- Molecule. Orforglipron is a small molecule that is not a peptide.[11] Semaglutide is a modified GLP-1 peptide; on its own it is poorly absorbed from the gut, so the Wegovy tablet adds SNAC, and absolute bioavailability is still only about 1% to 2%.[2]
- Food and water. Foundayo can be taken with or without food.[1] The Wegovy pill has a fasting routine every morning (see the next section).[2]
- Dose steps. Foundayo starts at 0.8 mg and steps up at least 30 days apart to a maximum of 17.2 mg.[1] The Wegovy pill starts at 1.5 mg and moves to 4 mg, 9 mg and then 25 mg from day 91.[2]
- Approved uses. Foundayo is approved for weight reduction and long-term weight maintenance.[1] Wegovy tablets are approved for that and also to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease and obesity or overweight.[2]
- Type 2 diabetes. Foundayo’s weight trials included people with type 2 diabetes (ATTAIN-2).[1] The Wegovy label says the tablets have not been studied for weight reduction in adults with type 2 diabetes.[2]
How to Take Foundayo vs the Wegovy Pill
Foundayo is one tablet a day with or without food, while the Wegovy pill is one tablet each morning on an empty stomach with no more than 4 ounces of water, followed by a 30-minute wait before eating, drinking or taking other oral medicines.[1][2]
| Rule | Foundayo | Wegovy pill |
|---|---|---|
| Food | With or without food[1] | Empty stomach, in the morning[2] |
| Water | No limit stated on the label[1] | Up to 4 ounces of plain water; no other liquids[2] |
| Wait after the dose | None stated[1] | At least 30 minutes before food, drinks or other oral medicines[2] |
| Swallowing | Whole; do not break, crush or chew[1] | Whole; do not split, crush, chew or dissolve[2] |
| Tablets per day | No more than one[1] | No more than one[2] |
| Starting dose and steps | 0.8 mg, then 2.5 mg and 5.5 mg, then 9, 14.5 or 17.2 mg, at least 30 days on each[1] | 1.5 mg (days 1 to 30), 4 mg (31 to 60), 9 mg (61 to 90), 25 mg from day 91[2] |
| Missed dose | Take it as soon as possible; after 7 or more missed in a row, restart at a lower dose[1] | Skip it and take the next dose the following day[2] |
The Wegovy rules follow from how semaglutide is absorbed. The label says absorption happens mainly in the stomach, was higher with 50 mL of water than with 240 mL, and was higher with a longer fast after the dose.[2] Novo’s patient page suggests taking the pill on waking, with a sip of water, and waiting 30 minutes before food, drinks such as coffee, or other oral medicines.[17]
For Foundayo, the label found no clinically relevant food effect: in a food study, exposure (AUC) was 19% lower with food than fasting.[1] Lilly describes it as a pill with no food or water restrictions.[11] Foundayo has its own interaction rules, including a 9 mg cap with strong CYP3A4 inhibitors and extra contraception for 30 days after starting and after each dose increase for people on oral contraceptives.[1] See the Foundayo dosage guide for the full schedule.
Foundayo vs Wegovy Pill: Weight Loss
In separate placebo-controlled trials in adults without diabetes, Foundayo 17.2 mg gave 11.1% average weight loss at 72 weeks and the Wegovy pill 25 mg gave 13.6% at 64 weeks, counting everyone randomised.[1][2]
| Measure | Foundayo 17.2 mg (ATTAIN-1) | Wegovy pill 25 mg (OASIS 4) |
|---|---|---|
| Participants | 3,127 (4 arms)[1] | 307 (2 arms)[2] |
| Length | 72 weeks[1] | 64 weeks[2] |
| Mean weight change | -11.1% vs -2.1% placebo[1] | -13.6% vs -2.4% placebo[2] |
| Lost at least 10% | 54.5%[1] | 59.8%[2] |
| Lost at least 15% | 35.9%[1] | 47%[2] |
| Lost at least 20% | 18.4%[1] | 27.9%[2] |
| If everyone stayed on treatment (maker figure) | -12.4%[11] | -16.6%[12] |
FDA label figures, intention-to-treat. ATTAIN-1 ran 72 weeks; OASIS 4 ran 64 weeks.
- The journal papers report the same trials as -11.2% vs -2.1% (ATTAIN-1) and -13.6% vs -2.2% (OASIS 4); the small differences come from rounding and analysis methods.[6][7]
- Novo’s ORION analysis, a population-adjusted indirect comparison of OASIS 4 and ATTAIN-1 funded by Novo and presented as a poster, estimated 3.2 percentage points more weight loss with oral semaglutide 25 mg (95% CI 0.4 to 5.9). Novo notes that no head-to-head trial in obesity exists and that residual population differences may remain.[13]
- In adults with type 2 diabetes, Foundayo 17.2 mg gave -9.6% vs -2.5% at 72 weeks in ATTAIN-2.[1] There is no equivalent Wegovy pill weight trial in type 2 diabetes on the label.[2]
Foundayo vs Wegovy Pill: Side Effects
Stomach and gut effects lead for both: GI adverse reactions hit 69% on Foundayo 17.2 mg (37% placebo) and GI adverse events 74.0% on the Wegovy pill 25 mg (42.2% placebo), with nausea at 35% and 46.6% respectively.[1][7][8]
| Measure | Foundayo 17.2 mg vs placebo | Wegovy pill 25 mg vs placebo |
|---|---|---|
| Any GI adverse effect | 69% vs 37%[1] | 74.0% vs 42.2%[7] |
| Nausea | 35% vs 10%[1] | 46.6% vs 18.6%[8] |
| Vomiting | 24% vs 4%[1] | 30.9% vs 5.9%[8] |
| Diarrhoea | 25% vs 11%[1] | 17.6% vs 8.8%[8] |
| Constipation | 24% vs 9%[1] | 20.1% vs 9.8%[8] |
| Stopped because of adverse reactions | 10% vs 3%[1] | 6.9% vs 5.9%[2] |
- Shared warnings. Both labels carry a boxed warning on thyroid C-cell tumours and list pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, severe GI reactions, kidney injury from dehydration, low blood sugar with insulin or sulfonylureas, and aspiration risk under anaesthesia.[1][2]
- Heart rate. Foundayo raised mean heart rate by 4 to 5 beats per minute against 0.5 on placebo.[1] The Wegovy label reports similar heart rate findings with the tablets as with the injection.[2]
- Breastfeeding. The Wegovy label advises against breastfeeding on the tablets because of SNAC.[2] The Foundayo label does not recommend it either.[1]
- Skin sensations. Dysaesthesia was reported by 5% on the Wegovy pill against none on placebo in OASIS 4.[2]
More detail on Foundayo’s label data is in the Foundayo side effects guide.
Foundayo vs Wegovy Pill: Price
Both start at $149 a month self-pay; at the top dose Foundayo is $349 ($299 with a refill within 45 days) and the Wegovy pill is $299, according to Lilly and Novo pricing pages checked on 8 November 2026.[14][16]
| Step | Foundayo | Wegovy pill |
|---|---|---|
| Starting dose | 0.8 mg: $149[14] | 1.5 mg: $149[16] |
| Second step | 2.5 mg: $199 ($149 to 31 Dec 2026)[14] | 4 mg: $199[16] |
| Third step | 5.5 mg: $299 ($199 to 31 Dec 2026)[14] | 9 mg: $299[16] |
| Higher doses | 9 mg: $299; 14.5 mg and 17.2 mg: $349, or $299 with a refill within 45 days[14] | 25 mg: $299[16] |
| With commercial coverage | As little as $25 with the savings card[14] | As little as $25 with the savings offer[16] |
| Medicare GLP-1 Bridge | No more than $50 a month from 1 July 2026[15] | $50 a month, 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2027[16] |
For dose-by-dose Foundayo pricing and the savings card terms, see the Foundayo price guide.
Head-to-Head: What ACHIEVE-3 Tested
ACHIEVE-3 compared orforglipron with oral semaglutide at Rybelsus doses of 7 mg and 14 mg in 1,698 adults with type 2 diabetes for 52 weeks, and orforglipron lowered HbA1c by up to 1.91 points against 1.47; it did not test the Wegovy pill’s 25 mg dose or weight management without diabetes.[9]
| Measure | Orforglipron 12 mg / 36 mg | Oral semaglutide 7 mg / 14 mg |
|---|---|---|
| Participants | 424 / 423[9] | 426 / 425[9] |
| HbA1c change | -1.71 / -1.91 points[9] | -1.23 / -1.47 points[9] |
| Weight change | -6.7% / -9.2%[10] | -3.7% / -5.3%[10] |
| GI adverse events | 59% / 58%[9] | 37% / 45%[9] |
| Stopped because of adverse events | 9% / 10%[9] | 4% / 5%[9] |
| Pulse change | +3.7 / +4.7 bpm[9] | +1.0 / +1.5 bpm[9] |
- Both orforglipron doses were superior to both semaglutide doses on HbA1c, including orforglipron 12 mg against semaglutide 14 mg. GI events, stopping for adverse events and pulse increases were all higher on orforglipron.[9]
- The doses differ from the Wegovy pill. The 7 mg and 14 mg semaglutide doses are Rybelsus strengths for type 2 diabetes. Novo’s tablet label says Rybelsus 7 mg and 14 mg give similar exposure to the newer 4 mg and 9 mg tablets, and that strengths are not interchangeable mg for mg.[5] The Wegovy pill’s maintenance dose is 25 mg, which ACHIEVE-3 did not test.[2]
- The population differs. ACHIEVE-3 enrolled people with type 2 diabetes, and its main endpoint was blood sugar, not weight.[9]
- The trial was funded by Eli Lilly and was open label, so participants knew which drug they took.[9]
As of November 2026 no published trial has compared Foundayo with the Wegovy pill at its 25 mg weight-management dose. For orforglipron’s full trial programme, see what is orforglipron, and for other options see GLP-1 alternatives.
Are Foundayo or the Wegovy Pill Sold by DBR Labs?
No. Both are US prescription medicines, self-pay from $149 a month through their makers’ programmes and pharmacies, and DBR Labs does not sell either one or any orforglipron or semaglutide product.[14][16]
DBR Labs supplies research peptides for laboratory use only. This guide summarises public label and trial data so readers can follow the science; it does not recommend either medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Foundayo better than the Wegovy pill?
There is no single answer. In separate trials the Wegovy pill 25 mg gave more average weight loss (13.6% at 64 weeks) than Foundayo 17.2 mg (11.1% at 72 weeks), but Foundayo can be taken with or without food, while the Wegovy pill needs an empty stomach and a 30-minute wait every morning. No head-to-head weight-loss trial has compared them, and which suits a person is a decision for a prescriber.
Which pill causes more weight loss, Foundayo or Wegovy?
In their own placebo-controlled trials, the Wegovy pill 25 mg averaged 13.6% weight loss at 64 weeks (OASIS 4) and Foundayo 17.2 mg averaged 11.1% at 72 weeks (ATTAIN-1), counting everyone randomised. The trials had different sizes, lengths and populations, so the gap is an estimate, not a head-to-head result.
Do you have to take the Wegovy pill on an empty stomach?
Yes. The label says to take one tablet each morning on an empty stomach with no more than 4 ounces of plain water, then wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking other oral medicines. Foundayo has no such rule: its label says to take it once a day with or without food.
Is Foundayo cheaper than the Wegovy pill?
At the starting doses they cost the same self-pay, $149 a month. At the top dose, Foundayo 17.2 mg is $349, or $299 if each refill is bought within 45 days, and the Wegovy pill 25 mg is $299. With commercial coverage both can cost as little as $25 a month, and both are $50 a month on the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge.
Has Foundayo been tested against the Wegovy pill?
Not at Wegovy pill doses. ACHIEVE-3 compared orforglipron with oral semaglutide 7 mg and 14 mg, which are Rybelsus doses for type 2 diabetes, over 52 weeks. Orforglipron lowered HbA1c more (up to 1.91 points against 1.47) but caused more GI side effects. The Wegovy pill’s 25 mg dose and people without diabetes were not part of that trial.
Is the Wegovy pill the same as Rybelsus?
Both contain semaglutide with the absorption enhancer SNAC, but they are different products. Rybelsus is approved for type 2 diabetes at 3, 7 and 14 mg; the Wegovy pill is approved for weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction at 1.5, 4, 9 and 25 mg. The Wegovy label says not to use it with other semaglutide products or other GLP-1 drugs.
Sources
- FDA. FOUNDAYO (orforglipron) tablets prescribing information, revised 07/2026 (NDA 220934, supplement 3)
- FDA. WEGOVY (semaglutide) injection and tablets prescribing information, revised 06/2026 (NDA 218316, supplement 7)
- FDA. Drugs@FDA, NDA 220934 (Foundayo) approval history
- FDA. Drugs@FDA, NDA 218316 (Wegovy tablets) approval history
- FDA. RYBELSUS and OZEMPIC (semaglutide) tablets prescribing information, revised 01/2026 (NDA 213051)
- Wharton S, et al. Orforglipron, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity treatment (ATTAIN-1). N Engl J Med 2025;393(18):1796-1806. DOI 10.1056/NEJMoa2511774
- Wharton S, et al. Oral semaglutide at a dose of 25 mg in adults with overweight or obesity (OASIS 4). N Engl J Med 2025;393(11):1077-1087. DOI 10.1056/NEJMoa2500969
- ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05564117 (OASIS 4), posted results and adverse events
- Rosenstock J, et al. Once-daily oral orforglipron compared with oral semaglutide in type 2 diabetes (ACHIEVE-3). The Lancet 2026;407(10534):1147-1160. DOI 10.1016/S0140-6736(26)00202-3
- Eli Lilly press release, 8 Jun 2026: ACHIEVE-2, ACHIEVE-3 and ACHIEVE-5 results
- Eli Lilly press release, 1 Apr 2026: FDA approves Foundayo (orforglipron)
- Novo Nordisk company announcement, 22 Dec 2025: Wegovy pill approved in the US
- Novo Nordisk press release, 2 Apr 2026: ORION indirect comparison of oral semaglutide 25 mg and orforglipron (Obesity Medicine 2026 poster)
- Lilly, Foundayo coverage and savings page (page code CMAT-27550 08/2026, checked 8 Nov 2026)
- Lilly, Foundayo Medicare GLP-1 Bridge page (page code CMAT-32648 06/2026, checked 8 Nov 2026)
- Novo Nordisk, What to pay for Wegovy (page code US26SEMO01787 October 2026, checked 8 Nov 2026)
- Novo Nordisk, Taking Wegovy pill (page code US26SEMO01787 October 2026, checked 8 Nov 2026)
For research use only. Not for human or veterinary consumption. This guide summarises published research for information only. It is not medical advice and does not describe any use of products sold on this site.