A new daily pill has shown promising results in helping people lose significant weight, with trial data suggesting it could be a game changer in obesity treatment.
The drug, orforglipron, made by Eli Lilly, works by targeting GLP-1 receptors, the same mechanism used by weight loss injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy. In a global study involving more than 3,100 adults with obesity, one in five participants taking the pill for 72 weeks lost at least 20% of their body weight.
Results published in the New England Journal of Medicine and presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes conference showed that patients on the highest dose of orforglipron lost an average of 11.2% of their weight, with improvements also seen in blood pressure, cholesterol, and waist size. Side effects were mostly mild gastrointestinal issues.
Experts say the pill may not match the dramatic weight loss achieved with injectable drugs, but its accessibility, convenience, and lower cost could make it far more widely used. Eli Lilly expects strong demand once the drug is approved by regulators.
Researchers believe oral treatments could expand obesity care to millions currently excluded due to the price and challenges of injections. Separate studies are also exploring the use of GLP-1 drugs in children, though experts caution that long-term effects still need closer study.
