Health
Pill Alternative to GLP-1 Shots Aids Weight Loss
Health Points
- An oral GLP-1 pill, orforglipron, helped people with obesity lose an average of 12.4% of their body weight in a large trial.
- The pill is well-tolerated, with mostly mild gastrointestinal side effects, and can be taken without food or water restrictions.
- Experts say the pill offers a needle-free alternative, although it does not lead to as much weight loss as injectable GLP-1 medications.
A new oral GLP-1 pill may soon offer a promising solution for adults with obesity who prefer to avoid injections.
More than 3,000 adults participated in the study, taking one of three doses of orforglipron or a placebo for 72 weeks. At the highest dose, participants lost about 27 pounds on average.
The most common side effects were moderate stomach-related issues, such as nausea, constipation, or diarrhea. About 10 percent of those on the highest dose discontinued the study due to these effects.
The oral pill requires no special timing with meals or drinks, adding flexibility for users.
“For those who don’t want injections and who need less-substantial weight loss, the oral pill is a good option,” says Marilyn Tan, MD, an endocrinologist at Stanford University.
Although the pill leads to notable weight loss, Dr. Tan notes that injected GLP-1 medications result in greater weight reduction, with some patients losing up to 20 percent of their body weight.
The findings are based on preliminary results and have not yet been peer reviewed or published in a medical journal.
Lilly, the drug’s manufacturer, plans to seek FDA approval later this year, but insurance coverage may affect access. Some experts believe lower out-of-pocket costs could make the pill a popular alternative, even if weight loss outcomes are somewhat lower than with injections.
“The relative differences in weight loss will not be a deterrent, especially if the cost is less. It should be a great alternative,” says Clifford Rosen, MD, from Tufts University School of Medicine.
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