A new daily pill for weight loss could help people shed up to 20% of their body weight, according to a trial by Eli Lilly. The drug, called orforglipron, works on the same GLP-1 receptors as weight loss injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy, but comes in tablet form, making it easier to take, store, and distribute.
In a 72-week study of 3,127 adults with obesity, one in five participants who took the highest dose lost 20% or more of their weight. Those on lower doses lost an average of 7.5%, while the highest dose group lost an average of 11.2%. Over half of the participants on the top dose lost at least 10% of their body weight, and more than a third lost at least 15%. The treatment also improved blood pressure, waist circumference, and cholesterol levels.
Side effects were mainly mild to moderate gastrointestinal issues. Orforglipron is not yet approved by regulators, but Eli Lilly expects high demand once it is launched. Experts say the pill could make weight loss treatments more accessible and affordable than injections, potentially helping millions more people manage obesity.
Separate research suggests GLP-1 drugs may also be effective for children with obesity or type 2 diabetes, though gastrointestinal side effects were more common and long-term studies are needed.
