A new weight loss pill developed by Eli Lilly could make shedding pounds easier and more accessible. In a trial involving more than 3,000 adults with obesity, one in five participants who took the drug orforglipron daily for 72 weeks lost 20% or more of their body weight.
Orforglipron works by targeting GLP-1 receptors, the same mechanism used by injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy, which have already transformed obesity treatment. Unlike injections, however, the pill is easier to use, store, and distribute, and is expected to be more affordable.
Participants on the highest daily dose lost an average of 11.2% of their body weight, with many also showing improvements in blood pressure, cholesterol, and waist size. The most common side effects were mild to moderate gastrointestinal issues.
The drug is not yet approved by the FDA or other regulators, but researchers say it could widen access to obesity treatment by eliminating the cost and complexity of injections. Experts see oral versions of GLP-1 drugs as a potential “game changer” for millions struggling with weight loss.
