Foundayo vs the Wegovy pill
Foundayo and the Wegovy pill are the two once-daily tablets licensed in the UK for weight management. They contain different kinds of molecule, follow different daily rules and were tested in separate trials, so the right choice depends on your routine and your health.
In short: Foundayo (orforglipron) is taken at any time, with no food rules. The Wegovy pill (oral semaglutide) needs an 8-hour fast, a sip of water and a 30-minute wait. In separate trials, the Wegovy pill 25 mg gave an average 13.6% weight loss at 64 weeks in OASIS 4, and the top Foundayo dose gave 11.2% at 72 weeks in ATTAIN-1, both with diet and activity support. Aero’s prices are not yet confirmed.
Two different kinds of molecule #
Both tablets act on the GLP-1 receptor. The active ingredients are built differently.
The Wegovy pill contains semaglutide, a peptide. This is the same active ingredient as the weekly Wegovy injection. The stomach absorbs peptides poorly, which explains the strict fasting rules.
Foundayo contains orforglipron, a small non-peptide molecule. Food and water do not interfere with absorption in the same way, so the label sets no food or water restrictions. You stop Foundayo at least 3 weeks before a planned pregnancy, against at least 2 months for the Wegovy pill.
Daily routine: the biggest practical difference #
- Foundayo: one tablet at any time of day.
- With or without food, with any drink.
- No wait before eating or taking other tablets.
- Missed tablet: take one when you remember, never more than one in a day.
- Wegovy pill: one tablet after a fast of at least 8 hours.
- Swallow with a sip of water, up to 120 ml.
- Wait at least 30 minutes before food, drink or other oral medicines. A shorter wait lowers absorption.
- Missed tablet: skip and take the next one the following day.
Both tablets are swallowed whole. Step-by-step guides: how to take Foundayo and how to take the Wegovy pill.
Doses and how long the step-up takes #
The Wegovy pill has four strengths: 1.5 mg, 4 mg, 9 mg and 25 mg. Each step lasts at least 1 month, so you reach the 25 mg maintenance dose in month 4. Foundayo has six strengths: 0.8 mg, 2.5 mg, 5.5 mg, 9 mg, 14.5 mg and 17.2 mg. Each lasts at least 30 days, so you reach 17.2 mg on day 151 at the earliest. Foundayo gives the prescriber more stopping points below the top dose.
Trial results side by side #
No trial has compared Foundayo with the 25 mg Wegovy pill directly. Each was tested against placebo in a separate trial, with diet and activity support for every participant.
| Measure | Foundayo 17.2 mg dose (ATTAIN-1) | Wegovy pill 25 mg (OASIS 4) |
|---|---|---|
| Participants | 3,127 across all groups | 307 across both groups |
| Length | 72 weeks | 64 weeks |
| Average loss, all participants | 11.2% | 13.6% |
| Average loss, stayed on treatment | 12.4% | 16.6% |
| Lost 5% or more | 77.1% | 76.3% |
| Lost 10% or more | 59.6% | 59.8% |
| Lost 15% or more | 39.6% | 47.0% |
| Lost 20% or more | 20.1% | 27.5% |
The ATTAIN-1 milestone figures are on-treatment estimates and the OASIS 4 milestone figures count all participants, so the columns are measured differently. On the averages, the Wegovy pill came out about 2 to 4 percentage points ahead.
Side effects compared #
Both tablets cause the same family of gut side effects, most often during dose increases. Each column comes from a separate trial.
| Side effect | Foundayo 17.2 mg dose, ATTAIN-1, 72 weeks | Wegovy pill 25 mg, OASIS 4, 64 weeks |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 33.7% (placebo 10.4%) | 46.6% (placebo 18.6%) |
| Vomiting | 24.0% (placebo 3.5%) | 30.9% (placebo 5.9%) |
| Constipation | 25.4% (placebo 9.3%) | 20.1% (placebo 9.8%) |
| Diarrhoea | 23.1% (placebo 9.6%) | 17.6% (placebo 8.8%) |
Both leaflets list gallstones and hair loss as common. Two differences matter in daily life. Foundayo may make the contraceptive pill less effective, so you need a barrier or non-oral method for 30 days after starting and after each dose increase. Testing found no clinically relevant effect of oral semaglutide on the contraceptive pill. Foundayo also has more listed interactions, including a 9 mg dose limit with clarithromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole or ciclosporin. The Wegovy pill leaflet flags levothyroxine and warfarin for extra monitoring.
Price at Aero Clinic #
Aero’s prices, review arrangements and contact channels will be published before booking opens. Ask for written details of assessment fees, ongoing support, renewal payments and cancellation or refund terms before committing to treatment.
Who each tablet suits, and the full comparison #
Foundayo tends to suit you when your mornings vary, you take other tablets on waking, you want a slower climb with more dose options, or you prefer a medicine with a shorter washout before pregnancy planning.
The Wegovy pill tends to suit you when you can keep a fixed fasted morning routine, you rely on the contraceptive pill, you take one of the medicines which interact with Foundayo, or you want the active ingredient with the longer track record as an injection.
| Foundayo | Wegovy pill | |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Orforglipron | Semaglutide |
| Molecule type | Small non-peptide molecule | Peptide |
| Fasting | None | At least 8 hours before |
| Wait after tablet | None | At least 30 minutes |
| Strengths | 0.8, 2.5, 5.5, 9, 14.5, 17.2 mg | 1.5, 4, 9, 25 mg |
| Average loss, all participants | 11.2% on the top dose | 13.6% |
| Contraceptive pill | Extra method for 30 days after each increase | No relevant effect found |
| Stop before pregnancy | At least 3 weeks | At least 2 months |
| Storage | Original package, away from light | Original blister, away from light and moisture |
| NHS availability | Not available at present | Not available at present |
| Aero Clinic price | To be confirmed | To be confirmed |
The planned service requires clinical assessment before treatment can be supplied. The secure assessment is not connected in this preview. Read how assessment works or prepare a discussion checklist. Provider details, prices and delivery arrangements must be confirmed before launch.
Foundayo vs the Wegovy pill: questions #
Is Foundayo better than the Wegovy pill?
Neither is better for everyone. In separate trials, the Wegovy pill 25 mg gave a higher average weight loss, 13.6% at 64 weeks against 11.2% at 72 weeks for the top Foundayo dose. Foundayo has a far simpler routine with no fasting. No trial has compared the two directly at weight management doses.
What is the difference between Foundayo and the Wegovy pill?
Foundayo contains orforglipron, a small non-peptide molecule taken at any time with no food rules. The Wegovy pill contains semaglutide, a peptide which must be taken after an 8-hour fast with a sip of water, followed by a 30-minute wait. They also differ in dose steps, interactions and trial results.
Can I switch from the Wegovy pill to Foundayo?
A switch is possible when a prescriber approves. The two medicines have different dose scales, so the prescriber chooses your starting strength of the new tablet based on your current dose and side effects. Do not take both together. Message the clinical team before your next pack is due.
Which has fewer side effects, Foundayo or the Wegovy pill?
The trials were separate, so the comparison is rough. Nausea affected 33.7% on the top Foundayo dose in ATTAIN-1 and 46.6% on the Wegovy pill in OASIS 4. Constipation and diarrhoea were a little more frequent with Foundayo. Both cause mostly mild or moderate gut effects during dose increases.
Are Foundayo and the Wegovy pill available on the NHS?
No. Neither tablet is available on the NHS at present. The MHRA has said any NHS use of Foundayo would follow an evaluation by NICE. Both are available on private prescription. Aero’s prices are not yet confirmed.
Foundayo pill plan price to be confirmed
Aero’s treatment prices and service inclusions will be confirmed before booking opens. Ask which prescribing, dispensing, delivery and follow-up costs are included in your quote.
Page information
- Summary
- Foundayo needs no fasting. The Wegovy pill needs an empty stomach and a 30-minute wait. Compare doses, trial results, side effects and price.
- Publisher
- Aero Clinic, operated by AERO HEALTHCARE LTD.
- Editorial update
- Clinical review
- Pending. An editorial update is not a clinical sign-off.
Cite as: Foundayo vs the Wegovy pill, Aero Clinic (https://www.cagri.co.uk), AERO HEALTHCARE LTD. https://www.cagri.co.uk/foundayo-vs-wegovy-pill. Editorial update: 4 November 2026. Clinical review pending.