- Approved April 1, 2026 for weight management in adults with obesity, or overweight plus a weight-related condition.
- Take once daily, with or without food. Swallow whole.
- Missed a dose? Take it as soon as possible. Never double up.
- Most common side effects: nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting and other stomach symptoms.
- Room temperature storage. Self-pay from $149 a month on LillyDirect.
What Foundayo is
Foundayo (orforglipron) is a once-daily tablet from Eli Lilly. The FDA approved it on April 1, 2026, calling it the fastest approval of a new molecular entity since 2002.[2]
It is approved, with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, to reduce excess body weight and maintain weight reduction long term in adults with obesity, or adults with overweight who have at least one weight-related condition.[1] The label says it is not recommended together with another GLP-1 medicine.[1]
How to take it
- Take one tablet once daily, with or without food.[1]
- Swallow it whole. Do not break, crush or chew it.[1]
- Do not take more than one tablet a day.[1]
Lilly describes Foundayo as a pill that can be taken at any time of day without restrictions on food and water.[3]
Dose strengths on the label
Foundayo comes in six strengths: 0.8 mg, 2.5 mg, 5.5 mg, 9 mg, 14.5 mg and 17.2 mg.[1] The label describes starting at 0.8 mg once daily and stepping up gradually, with at least 30 days at each step, to a maximum of 17.2 mg once daily.[1]
| Step on the label | Daily dose |
|---|---|
| Start | 0.8 mg |
| After at least 30 days | 2.5 mg |
| After at least 30 more days | 5.5 mg |
| Then, if your prescriber increases it | 9 mg, 14.5 mg or 17.2 mg (maximum) |
This summarizes the label for reference only. Your dose, and when it changes, is decided by your prescriber based on how you respond and how well you tolerate it.[1]
Missed doses
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. Do not double up the next dose. If you miss 7 or more doses in a row, the label says to restart the dose escalation at a lower dose, so contact your prescriber before restarting.[1]
Side effects and warnings
The most common side effects on the label (5% or more) are nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion, abdominal pain, headache, bloating, fatigue, belching, reflux, gas and hair loss.[1]
Like the injectable GLP-1s, Foundayo carries a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors. The label explains that these tumors were seen in rodents with other GLP-1 medicines, and that orforglipron itself did not produce tumors in rodents. Foundayo must not be used by people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or with MEN 2.[1] Its other warnings include acute pancreatitis, severe stomach side effects, kidney injury from dehydration, low blood sugar, allergic reactions, gallbladder disease, diabetic retinopathy complications in people with type 2 diabetes, and aspiration during anesthesia or deep sedation.[1]
The symptoms to watch for are listed in our warning signs guide. Tell every healthcare provider that you take Foundayo before any surgery or procedure.
Storage
Store Foundayo at room temperature, 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Short excursions between 59°F and 86°F (15°C to 30°C) are allowed.[1] No fridge needed, which makes it simpler to travel with than the pens.
Cost and where to get it
To compare Foundayo with the other GLP-1 medicines, see our GLP-1 price checker, which we check every week.
LillyDirect lists these self-pay prices:[5]
| Dose | Self-pay price on LillyDirect |
|---|---|
| 0.8 mg | Starting at $149 a month |
| 2.5 mg | Starting at $149 a month |
| 5.5 mg | Starting at $199 a month |
| 9 mg | Starting at $299 a month |
| 14.5 mg or 17.2 mg | Starting at $299 a month if you refill within 45 days |
LillyDirect says some of these prices are temporarily reduced through December 31, 2026.[5]
- Commercial insurance: the Foundayo savings card offers as low as $25 a month, with savings of up to $100 per 1-month fill and $1,000 a year, up to 10 fills, through December 31, 2026. Government beneficiaries are excluded.[6]
- Medicare Part D: Lilly says Foundayo is available for $50 a month through the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge for eligible people, from July 1, 2026.[4, 6] Eligibility rules are in ourZepbound savings guide.
- Where to get it: Lilly lists LillyDirect home delivery, telehealth providers and retail pharmacies nationwide.[4] See our guide togetting a prescription online.
Correction, October 3, 2026: An earlier version suggested Foundayo itself caused thyroid tumors in rodents. The label says the rodent tumors were seen with other GLP-1 medicines and that orforglipron did not produce them. We also clarified that the 2.5 mg and 5.5 mg prices are "starting at" prices.
Common questions
What is Foundayo?
Foundayo (orforglipron) is a once-daily GLP-1 pill from Eli Lilly, approved by the FDA on April 1, 2026, for weight management in adults with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related condition, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity.
Do you take Foundayo with food?
The label says to take Foundayo once daily, with or without food. Swallow the tablet whole; do not break, crush or chew it. Lilly describes it as a pill you can take any time of day without food or water restrictions.
What happens if I miss a dose of Foundayo?
Take it as soon as possible, but do not double up the next dose. If you miss 7 or more doses in a row, the label says the dose escalation is restarted at a lower dose, so contact your prescriber.
How much does Foundayo cost?
On LillyDirect, self-pay prices start at $149 a month for the lowest doses and rise to $299 a month for the highest doses (refill within 45 days for the higher-dose price). With commercial insurance, the savings card offers as low as $25 a month. Check current prices before you order.
Does Foundayo need to be refrigerated?
No. The label says to store it at room temperature, 68°F to 77°F, with short excursions between 59°F and 86°F allowed.
Sources
- Eli Lilly and Company (via FDA). Foundayo (orforglipron) tablets Prescribing Information. Revised 07/2026. Last checked 2026-10-01.
- US Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves first new molecular entity under National Priority Voucher program. Revised April 1, 2026. Last checked 2026-10-01.
- Eli Lilly and Company (press release). FDA approves Lilly's Foundayo (orforglipron), the only GLP-1 pill. Revised April 1, 2026. Last checked 2026-10-01.
- Eli Lilly and Company (press release). Foundayo (orforglipron), Lilly's new oral GLP-1 pill for weight loss, now available. Revised April 9, 2026. Last checked 2026-10-01.
- Eli Lilly and Company. Foundayo on LillyDirect. Revised n/a (web page; some prices reduced through 12/31/2026). Last checked 2026-11-04.
- Eli Lilly and Company. Foundayo coverage and savings. Revised n/a (web page; savings card through 12/31/2026). Last checked 2026-11-04.