GLP-1 treatments for weight management
Wegovy® and Foundayo® are GLP-1 medicines that can help reduce appetite, increase feelings of fullness and support weight loss when used alongside a healthy lifestyle.
Wegovy® contains semaglutide and is available as a weekly injection or daily tablet.
Foundayo® contains orforglipron and is taken as a daily tablet.
Both require an individual clinical assessment before treatment.
How do they work?
GLP-1 is a naturally occurring hormone involved in appetite and feelings of fullness.
GLP-1 medicines mimic this hormone, helping to:
🧠 Reduce appetite
🍽️ Increase feelings of fullness
⏱️ Slow the movement of food through the stomach
📉 Reduce food intake
Who may be suitable?
Wegovy® and Foundayo® may be suitable for adults with:
BMI of 30 kg/m² or above, or
BMI of 27 kg/m² or above where there is at least one weight-related health condition.
Your pharmacist will also consider your medical history, current medicines and individual circumstances.
Meeting the BMI criteria does not automatically mean treatment is suitable.
How are they taken?
Wegovy®
💉 Injection: once weekly
💊 Tablet: once daily
Both forms are started at a lower dose and increased gradually.
The oral Wegovy® tablet has specific instructions about when it should be taken in relation to food, drinks and other medicines.
Foundayo®
💊 Tablet: once daily
Foundayo® can be taken at any time of day, with or without food.
Your pharmacist will explain exactly how to take your chosen treatment.
How much weight could I lose?
Everyone responds differently and there is no guaranteed amount of weight loss.
In clinical trials, people taking semaglutide 2.4 mg alongside lifestyle intervention lost an average of around 15% of their body weight over 68 weeks.
Clinical trials of orforglipron have also demonstrated significant weight loss, although results vary depending on dose and individual circumstances.
Clinical trial results are averages and are not a prediction of the weight you will personally lose.
What are the side effects?
The most common side effects are digestive and may include:
🤢 Nausea
💩 Diarrhoea or constipation
🤮 Vomiting
🤰 Stomach discomfort or bloating
🔥 Indigestion or reflux
Side effects can be more noticeable when starting treatment or increasing the dose and often improve as your body adjusts.
⚠️ Important safety information
Gallstones and gallbladder problems
GLP-1 medicines can be associated with gallstones and other gallbladder problems. Gallbladder events have also been reported with orforglipron, and may be associated with weight loss.
Seek medical advice if you develop symptoms such as:
- Severe or persistent pain in the upper abdomen, particularly on the right-hand side
- Pain that may spread to the back or right shoulder
- Fever
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
Pancreatitis
Acute pancreatitis is a rare but potentially serious side effect of GLP-1 medicines.
Seek immediate medical attention if you develop severe and persistent abdominal pain, particularly if the pain spreads through to your back and may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting.
If pancreatitis is suspected, treatment should be stopped and you should seek urgent medical assessment. If pancreatitis is confirmed, the medicine should not be restarted.
Tell your pharmacist if you have previously had pancreatitis, as these medicines should be used with caution in people with a history of the condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Wegovy® or Foundayo®?
Neither is automatically better. They are different medicines that work through the same general GLP-1 pathway but have different administration requirements.
Your pharmacist can help you decide which may be more appropriate.
Are they suitable for everyone?
No. Certain medical conditions, medicines and circumstances can make treatment unsuitable.
Can I take both?
No. Wegovy® and Foundayo® should not be taken together unless specifically advised by an appropriate healthcare professional.
What should I do if I develop severe abdominal pain?
Seek urgent medical attention, particularly if the pain is severe and persistent or spreads to your back, as this can be a symptom of pancreatitis.
Can I use them during pregnancy?
Weight loss medicines should not be used during pregnancy. Tell your pharmacist if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding.
What happens if I stop treatment?
Some people regain weight after stopping treatment. Long-term healthy lifestyle changes are therefore an important part of weight management.
Could a GLP-1 treatment be right for you?
Our pharmacy team can assess your individual circumstances and talk you through the available options.
A £25 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your appointment. This deposit will be deducted from the total cost of your treatment on the day.
If you need to change your appointment, we are happy to reschedule provided at least 24 hours’ notice is given.
Please note that if, following assessment, treatment is deemed unsuitable or cannot be carried out, the deposit will be retained as a consultation fee and is therefore non-refundable.
If you’d prefer to speak to someone first, feel free to get in touch with your local Right Medicine Pharmacy. We’re here to support you at every stage of your weight loss journey.
Prescription medicines are supplied only following an appropriate clinical assessment. This information does not replace the individual Patient Information Leaflet or professional medical advice.