A new tablet, orforglipron, helped people with type 2 diabetes lose up to 8% of body weight.
The drug activates GLP-1 receptors, lowers blood sugar, and reduces appetite.
Patients can take it without fasting.
In a year-long phase 3 trial, it outperformed oral semaglutide in weight and glucose control.
However, more participants stopped treatment because of gastrointestinal side effects.
Regulators have not yet approved the pill.
Researchers still need long-term safety and cardiovascular data.
Experts expect effective tablets to simplify therapy and expand access.
They believe incretin-based drugs could soon become first-line diabetes treatments.
