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New oral drug shows promise in preventing weight rebound
A recently developed daily pill may help individuals sustain weight loss after discontinuing injectable weight-loss medications, according to findings published in Nature Medicine. The drug, orforglipron, is already accessible in the U.S. and could soon be introduced in the U.K.
How the drug works
Orforglipron mimics a natural hormone that suppresses appetite and prolongs feelings of fullness, functioning similarly to existing obesity injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy. The study, funded by manufacturer Eli Lilly-also the producer of Mounjaro-tracked 376 participants in the U.S. who had previously used GLP-1 injections for over a year and achieved significant weight loss.
Trial results and limitations
After stopping the injections, participants were given either orforglipron or a placebo for one year. Those taking the pill retained over 70% of their prior weight loss, compared to 38-50% in the placebo group. While side effects such as nausea, constipation, and diarrhea were common, they were mostly mild.
Experts caution that further research is needed to determine the long-term durability of the effects and whether treatment might need to be lifelong. Dr. Marie Spreckley, a weight management researcher at the University of Cambridge, noted, "This study reinforces the growing recognition that obesity is a chronic, relapsing disease that often requires ongoing treatment and support."
Cost and accessibility
In the U.S., orforglipron is priced at approximately $149 per month for the lowest dose, significantly cheaper than some GLP-1 injections, which can exceed $1,000 monthly. However, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced initiatives aimed at reducing the cost of popular weight-loss drugs. The drug's potential cost in the U.K. remains unclear, as it has not yet been launched there.
Competitor Novo Nordisk has also developed an oral version of its injectable drug Wegovy, which has been approved in the U.S. but is still awaiting a decision in the U.K.
Broader health implications
Dr. Simon Cork from Anglia Ruskin University highlighted the study's significance in addressing a key limitation of injectable GLP-1 medications: weight regain after discontinuation. He noted that patients taking orforglipron also maintained improvements in blood pressure, lipid levels, and blood glucose, which could help mitigate long-term obesity-related risks such as heart disease.
Expert perspectives
"We still do not know how durable these effects will be over longer periods of time."
Dr. Marie Spreckley, University of Cambridge
While the convenience of a pill may appeal to patients over injections, experts emphasize that obesity management often requires sustained intervention. The study underscores the need for continued research into long-term treatment strategies.
