Foundayo (orforglipron) side effects

Like all medications, Foundayo can cause side effects, but not everyone will get them. Most side effects are mild to moderate and mostly affect the digestive system. In the ATTAIN-1 trial, adverse effects led to 5.3 to 10.3% of people stopping treatment.

Very common Foundayo side effects

The most common Foundayo side effects are gastrointestinal-related and can affect more than 1 in 10 people. They are usually not severe and most common when you first start treatment or after a dose increase. The most common side effects are:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• constipation
• diarrhoea
• being sick (vomiting)
• indigestion
• stomach pain
• low blood sugar when orforglipron is used with insulin, with or without metformin and/or sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i)

Common Foundayo side effects

Common Foundayo side effects may affect up to 1 in 10 people and are:

• low blood sugar when Foundayo is used with medications that contain a sulfonylurea alone or combined with up to 2 additional diabetes medications for type 2 diabetes
• dizziness
• headache
• fast pulse
• low blood pressure
• bloating
• burping
• reflux or heartburn
• gas
• gallstones
• hair loss
• tiredness
• increased levels of pancreatic enzymes

Uncommon Foundayo side effects

Uncommon Foundayo side effects that can affect up to 1 in 100 people are:

• low blood sugar when Foundayo is taken without insulin or sulfonylurea
• taste changes
• unpleasant or abnormal feeling when touched

If you experience any side effects while taking Foundayo that are not listed in the patient information leaflet or are unexpected, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice. You can also report it to the Yellow Card Scheme to help doctors fully understand the safety and risks associated with Foundayo.

Foundayo is a relatively new medication, so there is less information about its long-term effects than there is for other medications that have been available for years. However, clinical trials have studied orforglipron for up to 72 weeks, and its safety profile is similar to other GLP-1 medications, like Wegovy and Mounjaro.

Foundayo can cause serious side effects, but they are uncommon. It is important to understand what the potential serious effects are, so that you know what to look out for. They include:

• inflamed pancreas – severe pain in the stomach and back that does not go away
• vision changes – sudden changes in your vision or other unusual visual symptoms
• bowel obstruction – severe stomach pain, a swollen stomach, being sick, or not being able to pass wind or open your bowels
• severe constipation – hard, swollen stomach, severe stomach pain, feeling or being sick, unable to pass gas, or liquid overflow diarrhoea
• serious allergic reactions – breathing problems, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, wheezing, rapid heartbeat, pale and cold skin, dizziness, or weakness
• kidney problems – dehydration caused by being sick or diarrhoea
• food or liquid getting into the lungs during surgery – tell your doctor or surgeon that you are taking Foundayo prior to the operation

If you experience any of the above side effects, seek urgent medical help or, in an emergency, call 999 or have someone take you to A&E.

Foundayo side effects are most likely to occur when you first start taking the daily weight loss pill and after each dose increase. However, they are usually mild, temporary, and improve as your body adjusts to the active ingredient in Foundayo, orforglipron.

Foundayo side effects can last from a few days to a few weeks, depending on how your body responds to orforglipron. For most people, Foundayo side effects will have improved by the time they reach the maintenance dose. They are usually most intense when you first start taking Foundayo or after increasing the dose, and improve as your body adjusts.

When you first start taking Foundayo, you’ll begin on the lowest 0.8mg per day dose and gradually increase it every month until you reach the maximum maintenance dose of 17.2mg or the most effective dose for you. This helps your body adjust to the medication and reduce the chance of side effects.

For some people, titration can take longer, and not everyone will need to take the highest dose, especially if a lower dose suppresses your appetite and results in adequate weight loss.

If you experience any Foundayo side effects that affect your quality of life or that haven’t improved after 2 weeks, contact your doctor for advice.

The most common Foundayo side effects are gastrointestinal, such as feeling sick, diarrhoea, constipation, and being sick. They are usually mild to moderate in severity and are more noticeable at the start of treatment or after your dose is increased.

There are several things you can try to make common side effects easier to manage, such as:

Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)

If Foundayo makes you feel sick, try:

• eating smaller meals rather than large portions
• eating slowly and stopping when you start to feel full
• choosing relatively plain foods, like crackers and toast, when you feel nauseous
• avoiding very fatty, fried, or rich meals if these make your symptoms worse
• drinking fluids regularly to stay hydrated
• avoiding lying down immediately after eating

Foundayo slows gastric emptying and affects appetite, so you may find that the portion sizes you previously ate now feel too large. Adjusting how much you eat at each meal can help.

Diarrhoea

If you develop diarrhoea, the main priority is preventing dehydration. Try to drink water regularly throughout the day. If you are losing a lot of fluid, your doctor or pharmacist may recommend an oral rehydration solution. You can also ask them about anti-diarrhoea medications or laxatives that can safely be taken with Foundayo.

Temporarily reducing foods that make your diarrhoea worse may also help. These can vary from person to person but may include fatty or spicy foods.

Contact your doctor if diarrhoea is severe, persistent, or accompanied by signs of dehydration, such as feeling unusually thirsty, dizzy or lightheaded, or passing much less urine than normal. Vomiting and diarrhoea associated with Foundayo can lead to dehydration and, in some cases, deterioration in kidney function.

Constipation

You can manage mild constipation while taking Foundayo by:

• drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day
• gradually increasing the fibre in your diet by including fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, and pulses in your meals
• getting gentle exercise after a meal, such as a short walk
• maintaining a regular toilet routine

Increasing fibre too quickly can sometimes make bloating and discomfort worse, so increase it gradually and make sure you are drinking enough fluids.

Speak to your doctor or pharmacist if constipation does not improve. They may recommend a suitable laxative if dietary and lifestyle changes are not enough.

Indigestion and heartburn

Foundayo can cause indigestion and acid reflux, so it can be helpful to:

• eat smaller, more frequent meals
• avoid eating before going to bed
• identify trigger foods that are causing your symptoms, such as greasy, fatty, or spicy foods or fizzy drinks
• avoid lying down immediately after meals (you should avoid having a meal less than 3-4 hours before you go to bed)
• speak to a pharmacist about suitable antacids that are safe to take with Foundayo.

Although it is not possible to completely avoid Foundayo side effects, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. For example, taking the medication exactly as prescribed and making some lifestyle adjustments will help. Some of the things you can do include:

1. Follow your prescribed dose schedule. You’ll start Foundayo on the lowest dose and gradually increase it over several months. This gives your body time to adjust and can improve gastrointestinal tolerability. Do not increase your dose sooner than your doctor tells you to.
2. Avoid overeating. Foundayo reduces appetite and slows gastric emptying. Smaller meals and stopping eating when you feel comfortably full may help prevent nausea, bloating, and indigestion.
3. Be careful with rich or fatty foods. These may make nausea, indigestion, or diarrhoea worse for some people.
4. Drink enough fluids. This is particularly important if you develop diarrhoea or vomiting, as dehydration can potentially affect kidney function.
5. Increase fibre gradually. Fibre and adequate fluids can help with constipation, but suddenly eating much more fibre may increase bloating, so it is best to introduce it gradually over a few days to weeks.
6. Limit alcohol if it makes symptoms worse. Alcohol can irritate your digestive system and may worsen nausea, vomiting, or dehydration.
7. Tell your doctor about other medications you take. This is especially important if you use insulin or a sulfonylurea for diabetes because combining these with Foundayo can increase the chance of low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia).
8. Tell your doctor if side effects become difficult to manage. Do not increase, reduce, or otherwise change your Foundayo dose yourself. Your doctor can advise whether your treatment needs adjusting.

Can Foundayo cause hair loss?

Yes, hair loss is reported as a common Foundayo side effect affecting up to 1 in 10 people. In clinical trials, 3.7% of people taking Foundayo reported hair loss compared to 1.8% of people taking a placebo. However, the medication itself does not cause hair shedding, nor does it directly damage hair follicles.

Instead, the physical stress caused by rapid weight loss shocks your body and forces a greater number of hair follicles to transition into their resting and shedding phases, also known as telogen effluvium. This should recover while still using the treatment. Making sure you are eating a well-balanced diet can help to avoid any deficiencies which may contribute.

Can Foundayo cause an allergic reaction?

Yes, Foundayo can cause an allergic reaction in some people. The symptoms of an allergic reaction can range from a mild rash, itching, or hives to severe swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat, difficulty breathing or swallowing, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, or fainting. For mild symptoms, you should contact a doctor immediately for advice, but in the case of an emergency or severe symptoms, call 999 or get someone to take you to A&E.

Can Foundayo cause gallbladder problems?

Yes, Foundayo can cause gallbladder issues, including gallstones and gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis). In clinical trials, 1.3% of people who received Foundayo reported gallstones compared to 0.6% given a placebo. Other GLP-1 medications are also associated with gallbladder problems, which could be triggered by rapid weight loss.

Signs to look out for include pain in the upper right or middle of your stomach that does not go away, pain that spreads to your right shoulder or back, fever, and yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes. If you get any of these symptoms, contact your doctor or get urgent medical help.

Is Foundayo safe?

Yes, Foundayo is considered safe and effective for weight loss when prescribed by a registered healthcare professional, such as a doctor. Foundayo has been approved in the UK for weight loss by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). However, like all medications, it can cause side effects and carries specific risks and warnings.

You should only ever obtain your medication from a regulated service, such as Asda Online Doctor. One of our doctors will check that Foundayo is safe and suitable for you to take.

When should I see a doctor about the side effects?

You should see a doctor immediately about Foundayo side effects if they are severe, unexpected, or cause difficulty breathing or swallowing, or swelling of your lips, mouth, tongue, eyes, or throat. If you have other side effects that do not go away, get worse over a few days, or are difficult to manage, contact your doctor urgently.