Been wanting to try weight loss medication but not a fan of needles? We’ve got good news: there’s a few new weight loss tablets in development.
Orforglipron is one of them. And, like any medicine, it comes with side effects. Here’s what we know so far.
Key Takeaways
- Orforglipron is a GLP-1 receptor agonist weight loss pill
- Common side effects include digestive issues like diarrhoea and nausea, similar to other GLP-1 injections
- Serious side effects like pancreatitis and gallbladder inflammation are rare
- Most side effects occur when beginning treatment or when the dose increases, and often improve as the body adjusts
- Orforglipron is expected to be available in 2026 at the earliest
What is orforglipron and how does it work?
Orforglipron is a weight loss pill that belongs to a family of medicines called GLP-1 receptor agonists.
If that sounds familiar, that’s because popular medicines like Wegovy and Mounjaro are also GLP-1 receptor agonists (technically, Mounjaro weight loss injections are GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists).
What that means is that these medicines work by mimicking the behaviour of GLP-1, a natural hunger hormone (Mounjaro also mimics the hormone GIP). This suppresses your appetite and keeps cravings at bay, so you eat less.
However, orforglipron is taken as a daily tablet rather than an injection.
Common side effects
In the ACHIEVE-1 clinical trial, the most commonly reported side effects of orforglipron were related to the gut:
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea
- Indigestion
- Constipation
- Vomiting
Mostly, symptoms were mild to moderate. And they were comparable to the side effects of GLP-1 injections.
When do the side effects start and how long do they last?
Orforglipron side effects tend to come on when you first start the medicine or increase your dose. They are usually mild to moderate and often improve as your body adapts.
As with other GLP-1 medicines, you would start on a lower dose and increase gradually over time. This slow build up helps your body get used to the medicine and can reduce gut related side effects.
Why do these side effects happen?
It’s because of how orforglipron works. To make you feel full, orforglipron slows down your digestion and signals to the brain to curb your appetite. This helps you eat less—but it can also upset your gut.
Less common side effects
They’re less common, but these orforglipron pill side effects have also been reported:
- Burping
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Acid reflux
- Dizziness
Rare side effects of orforglipron
There’s been reports of more serious side effects, but these are rare. Orforglipron has been associated with:
- Acute cholecystitis (inflamed gallbladder)
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
These events were rare and the numbers are still small, so longer-term studies are needed to understand the true level of risk.
Side effects support at Voy
"If you're using Voy and you experience any side effects, rest assured that our expert clinicians are just a message or phone call away. They can adjust your dose, prescribe medication to ease your symptoms, or simply offer reassurance.
Everyone responds differently to weight loss treatment and we'll help you find what feels right for you."
Can orforglipron cause pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis has occasionally been reported with GLP-1 medicines like Wegovy and Mounjaro, but it remains rare. A few mild cases have also appeared in early orforglipron studies, although numbers are very small.
Large real-world studies suggest GLP-1 medicines do not increase pancreatitis risk. In a major US analysis of over 160,000 people, pancreatitis rates were low and similar between GLP-1 users and non-users, and lifetime risk was actually lower in those taking GLP-1s.
It’s also important to remember that rapid weight loss can increase the risk of gallstones, which are a common trigger for pancreatitis. This means pancreatitis can occur during rapid weight loss from lifestyle changes alone, not just medication.
Overall, pancreatitis with orforglipron appears to be uncommon, but more clinical trial data are needed to understand the risk fully.
How to manage orforglipron side effects
Here’s some tips for easing orforglipron side effects:
- Follow your provider’s dosing advice exactly. Taking a higher strength than prescribed, or moving up too quickly, can bring on side effects
- Have more frequent, smaller meals, and eat them slowly. This can minimise the strain on your gut
- Avoid spicy, greasy, or highly processed foods. They can irritate your stomach
- Taking regular sips of cold water can help with nausea. It could also ease constipation and ensure you’re staying hydrated if you’ve been sick
When to seek medical help
Orforglipron isn’t approved yet, so a clinician can’t prescribe it to you.
But if it were available and you were taking it, it would be time to see a doctor if:
- Your symptoms weren’t going away, were bothering you, or were getting worse
- You had severe pain in your stomach, particularly if it spread to your back. This can be a sign of pancreatitis or an inflamed gallbladder
- You had swelling in your face, lips, or tongue. These are signs of an allergic reaction. If that’s you, seek help right away
Your weight loss journey
We won’t see orforglipron on the market until 2026, at the earliest. But there are plenty of other weight loss medications out there that will help you reach your health goals. And you can get started on them right now.
At Voy, we’ve got Wegovy and Mounjaro, as well as orlistat weight loss pills. When you join our weight loss programme, we’ll post your medicine each month—and work with you to transform your lifestyle.
Ninety-four percent of our clients say it’s the best weight loss programme they’ve ever tried. Take our quiz to see if you’re eligible.
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