Orforglipron weight loss pill

Eli Lilly’s new daily oral tablet - the orforglipron weight loss pill - aims to offer proven GLP-1 benefits to UK adults who have a fear of needles.

This content is for informational purposes only. Orforglipron is an investigational drug. It is not licensed for weight loss treatment in the UK.

What is orforglipron?

Orforglipron (LY 3502970) is an experimental GLP-1 receptor agonist - the same hormone class as semaglutide, but built as a true pill with no fasting window and no injections.

In early studies it lowered appetite, slowed stomach emptying and improved blood sugar - three levers that drive weight change.

The drug is not yet licensed anywhere. Eli Lilly hopes it will become the first oral GLP-1 approved specifically for obesity.

How is orforglipron different?

  • No empty-stomach rule - you can take it with or without food or water, unlike Rybelsus.

  • Small molecule - easier to manufacture and ship than injections.

  • Daily dosing - steady hormone signal without weekly peaks and troughs, unlike Wegovy.

How far along is the research?

Early data look strong, but orforglipron is still experimental and must clear Phase 3 trials before it can reach UK patients. Eli Lilly says it will file UK and US licence applications immediately after the final data lock. That means a realistic MHRA decision in mid-2026, followed by a NICE cost-effectiveness review before any NHS launch.

Orforglipron Phase 2 trials (2023)

  • In a 36-week, 272-person trial, the highest dose of orforglipron cut body weight by 14.7% versus 2.3% on placebo. Drop-outs for tummy problems stayed below 10%.¹

  • Lilly’s investor briefing that same week said the pill showed “double-digit weight loss with a tolerable GI profile” and set a regulatory-filing goal of late 2025.²

Orforglipron Phase 3 trials (2025)

  • ATTAIN-1 - Adults who have obesity but do not have diabetes. This Orforglipron Phase 3 trial aims to enrol about 2,000 participants. The main results are expected September 2025.³

  • ATTAIN-2 – Adults with obesity and additional heart-risk factors such as high blood pressure. This Orforglipron Phase 3 trial aims to enrol about 1,600 participants. The main results expected August 2025.⁴

Expected timeline for orforglipron in the UK

  • Regulatory filing

    Lilly aims for Q4 2025.
    The company has said it will pull together all orforglipron phase 3 safety and efficacy data as soon as the last trial reads out, then submit a full dossier to both the MHRA and the FDA before the end of 2025. That filing triggers the formal start of the UK approval clock.

  • MHRA decision

    Earliest decision mid-2026.
    Once the paperwork lands, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) usually needs 150-210 days to check quality, safety and effectiveness. If the first assessment goes smoothly, a licence could be granted as early as summer 2026.

  • NICE appraisal

    6-9 mo after MHRA approval.
    After a licence is issued, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) reviews clinical value and cost-effectiveness for the NHS. This takes roughly 6-9 months, meaning an NHS funding verdict might follow in late-2026.

Orforglipron FAQs

What are the side effects of orforglipron?

The phase 2 study showed mainly tummy issues: nausea, diarrhoea, and occasional vomiting or constipation. Headache and tiredness were reported but less often. No cases of pancreatitis or severe gallbladder trouble have been published so far, but the numbers are still small and longer trials could reveal more.

How much weight can I lose on orforglipron?

In the 36-week dose-finding trial, people on the highest strength lost 14.7% of their starting weight on average, compared with 2.3% on placebo. Larger phase 3 studies aim to confirm double-digit losses.

Does orforglipron work better than Wegovy?

It is too early to call. Wegovy’s weekly injection showed around 15% average loss in its pivotal STEP trials. Early orforglipron numbers look similar, but there has been no head-to-head study and the pill is still in research. A final verdict will have to wait for the phase-3 read-outs and, ideally, a direct comparison.

Is orforglipron available in the USA?

No. The drug is confined to clinical trials in the United States and several other countries. Lilly has announced plans to file for FDA approval after the last phase-3 trial ends in late 2025.

Is orforglipron approved anywhere yet?

No regulator (MHRA, FDA or EMA) has licensed the weight loss pill. Everything you read is based on trial data and company statements.

Will UK GPs be able to prescribe orforglipron on the NHS?

Only if three things happen:

  1. The MHRA grants a UK licence (earliest mid-2026).

  2. NICE decides the drug is cost-effective for the NHS (typically 6-9 months later).

  3. Local NHS bodies add it to their formularies.

If all those boxes are ticked, GP prescribing could start in late 2026 or 2027.

How much will orforglipron cost?

No official price exists yet. If it's prescribed on the NHS, you'll only have to pay the standard England prescription charge of £9.90.

Medically reviewed by Dr Jackir Hussain

This page was last medically reviewed by Dr Jackir Hussain on 14 July 2025.

At Pill Scout, we prioritise accurate, evidence-based health information you can trust.

Our medical team regularly reviews and updates our content to ensure it stays aligned with the latest clinical research and guidance.

Dr Jackir Hussain, MBChB, MRCGP
GMC: 7074207

Dr Jackir Hussain is a UK-based GP with over 14 years of clinical experience since earning his medical degree from the University of Manchester. He has worked across diverse healthcare environments, including NHS GP surgeries, urgent care services, homeless shelters, and telemedicine platforms.

His areas of interest include general practice, weight loss, and the use of digital health to improve patient access to care.

Sources

¹ New England Journal of Medicine. Efficacy and Safety of Oral Orforglipron for Weight Loss in Adults with Obesity. Last accessed July 2025.

² Eli Lilly and Company. Lilly's Phase 2 Results Published in The New England Journal of Medicine. News Release. Last accessed July 2025.

³ ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study of Orforglipron (LY3502970) in Adult Participants With Obesity or Overweight With Weight-Related Comorbidities (ATTAIN-1).

⁴ ClinicalTrials.gov. A Study of Orforglipron in Adult Participants With Obesity or Overweight and Type 2 Diabetes (ATTAIN-2). Last accessed July 2025.

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