Updated November 2026
The short version: the Wegovy pill has produced more weight loss on average in trials, but it has strict morning rules: an empty stomach, a sip of water and a 30-minute wait before eating. Foundayo produces a bit less weight loss on average, but you can take it at any time, with or without food. If you'd struggle with the morning routine, Foundayo may be the better fit. If maximum weight loss matters most, the Wegovy pill has the edge.
Compare weight loss pill prices
The two pills at a glance
| Wegovy pill | Foundayo | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Semaglutide (same as Wegovy and Ozempic injections) | Orforglipron (a new, non-peptide GLP-1 medicine) |
| Made by | Novo Nordisk | Eli Lilly |
| UK licence | June 2026 | August 2026 |
| How often | Once a day | Once a day |
| Food and timing rules | Empty stomach after an overnight fast, with up to 120ml of water, then nothing to eat, drink or swallow for 30 minutes | None: take at any time, with or without food |
| Strengths | 1.5mg, 4mg, 9mg, 25mg | 0.8mg, 2.5mg, 5.5mg, 9mg, 14.5mg, 17.2mg |
| Average weight loss in main trial | 13.6% over 64 weeks (OASIS 4) | 11.2% over 72 weeks at the highest dose (ATTAIN-1) |
| Cheapest UK price at top dose | £169 a month | £143.99 a month |
| On the NHS | No | No (NICE appraisal under way) |
Weight loss: how the results compare
Wegovy pill. In the OASIS 4 trial, adults with obesity or overweight taking 25mg a day lost an average of 13.6% of their body weight over 64 weeks, against 2.2% on placebo. Among people who kept taking it as prescribed, the average was about 16.6%. That is close to the weekly Wegovy 2.4mg injection.
Foundayo. In the ATTAIN-1 trial of 3,127 adults, people on the highest dose lost an average of 11.2% over 72 weeks, against 2.1% on placebo. Among those who stayed on treatment, the figure was about 12.4%, which is the number most UK providers quote. More than half of people on the highest dose (54.6%) lost at least 10% of their weight.
There's no head-to-head trial of the two pills in people without diabetes, so these figures come from different studies with different people and lengths. In people with type 2 diabetes, Lilly's ACHIEVE-3 trial found orforglipron led to more weight loss than the lower, diabetes-licensed doses of oral semaglutide. That's not the same as comparing it with the 25mg Wegovy pill.
Both pills produce less weight loss on average than Mounjaro, which averages around 20% in trials. See weight loss pill vs injection for that comparison.
The daily routine is the biggest practical difference
Wegovy pill. Semaglutide is a peptide that the stomach normally breaks down, so the tablet includes an absorption enhancer that only works on an empty stomach. You take it first thing in the morning after fasting overnight, swallow it whole with no more than 120ml (half a glass) of plain water, then wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking anything else or taking other tablets. Food, coffee or extra water in that window can stop much of the dose being absorbed.
Foundayo. Orforglipron is a small-molecule medicine, so it survives digestion. You can take it at any time of day, with or without food, which makes it easier if your mornings vary, you work shifts, or you take other tablets first thing.
If you take thyroid medicine (levothyroxine) or other morning tablets, tell your prescriber. They'll advise on timing, especially with the Wegovy pill.
Side effects
Both pills work on the same GLP-1 pathway, so the side effects are similar. The most common are nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, vomiting, indigestion and stomach pain. They're usually worst in the first weeks and after each dose increase, and they ease for most people. Neither pill causes injection-site reactions.
Both carry the same warnings as other GLP-1 medicines: rare risks include pancreatitis and gallbladder problems, and they're not suitable in pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Get urgent medical help for severe, persistent stomach pain. Our Wegovy side effects guide covers what to expect and when to get help.
Cost
| Wegovy pill | Foundayo | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest starter month | £97.99 (Zava) | £90 (IQ Doctor) |
| Cheapest top-dose month | £169 (Cuva Health) | £143.99 (Cuva Health) |
| Typical top-dose month | about £200 | about £190 |
| Providers publishing prices | 17 | 14 |
Foundayo is usually a little cheaper at higher doses. See every provider's price by dose.
Which pill might suit you?
The Wegovy pill may suit you if:
- you want the most weight loss you can get from a tablet
- you have a regular morning routine and can wait 30 minutes before breakfast and coffee
- you're already on the Wegovy 2.4mg injection and want to switch to a tablet. The MHRA says you can move straight to the 25mg pill.
Foundayo may suit you if:
- your mornings are unpredictable, you work shifts, or you know you'd forget the fasting rules
- you take other tablets first thing in the morning
- you want the lowest monthly price at higher doses
An injection may suit you better if: you want the biggest average weight loss, since Mounjaro is still ahead of both pills, or you'd rather take one dose a week than a tablet every day.
Your prescriber decides what's clinically right for you, based on your BMI, health conditions and other medicines. Both pills are licensed for adults with a BMI of 30 or more, or 27 or more with a weight-related condition. Lower thresholds may apply for some ethnic backgrounds.
Where to get each pill
| Provider | Wegovy pill from | Foundayo from |
|---|---|---|
| Cuva Health | £107 | £94.99 |
| Medino | £109.99 | £94.99 |
| Zava | £97.99 | £107.99 |
| Boots Online Doctor | £99 | £99 |
| Superdrug Online Doctor | £99 | £99 |
| IQ Doctor | £109.99 | £90 |
| Lotus Weight Loss | £119 | £114 |
| Second Nature | £149 | £129 |
Starter-dose prices, checked 3 November 2026. See all providers and doses.
Keep reading
- Weight loss pill prices UK: every dose
- How to take the Wegovy pill and Foundayo
- Weight loss pill vs injection
- Ozempic vs Wegovy vs Mounjaro
Compare today's prices: Weight loss pills · Wegovy · Mounjaro
Frequently asked questions
Which works better, the Wegovy pill or Foundayo?
In their main trials, the Wegovy pill produced more average weight loss (13.6% over 64 weeks) than Foundayo (11.2% over 72 weeks at the highest dose). They haven't been tested against each other in people without diabetes.
Is the Wegovy pill the same as Rybelsus?
Both contain oral semaglutide, but Rybelsus is licensed for type 2 diabetes at lower doses. The Wegovy pill is a different product licensed for weight management, at doses up to 25mg.
Can I drink coffee with the Wegovy pill?
Not straight away. Take the pill with up to 120ml of plain water only, then wait at least 30 minutes before coffee, food or other tablets. Foundayo has no such rule.
Can I switch from the Wegovy pill to Foundayo, or the other way round?
Yes, if your prescriber agrees. They're different medicines, so your prescriber will choose a starting dose for the new one rather than matching milligrams.
Do weight loss pills work as well as injections?
The Wegovy pill comes close to the Wegovy injection. Neither pill matches Mounjaro's average weight loss.
This article is for information only and is not medical advice. CompareTheJab is an independent comparison website, not a pharmacy or medical service. Always speak to a qualified prescriber before starting, stopping or switching any medicine.
Prices were checked on each provider's own website on 3 November 2026 and change often. Always confirm the price at checkout. Some links on this page are affiliate links, which never affect how we rank providers. Read our affiliate policy and how we compare providers.
