Oral daily GLP-1 medication exhibits comparable efficacy to weekly injections, according to pharmaceutical company's data.
In a significant development for the treatment of obesity and Type 2 diabetes, Eli Lilly and Company has announced the results of Phase 3 trials for its new oral pill, Orforglipron. The pill, which is intended to offer a convenient alternative to injectable treatments, has shown promising results in weight loss and blood sugar management.
According to the trials, adults taking Orforglipron lost an average of 27.3 pounds over 72 weeks. The most commonly reported negative side effects were mild to moderate gastrointestinal-related symptoms, such as nausea, constipation, indigestion, diarrhea, and vomiting.
Eli Lilly plans to submit Orforglipron for regulatory review by the end of the year, with a global launch of the pill planned to address obesity care. The company also plans to submit the daily pill for global regulatory approval by the end of 2025.
The key differences between Orforglipron and injectable GLP-1 drugs for weight loss and diabetes management lie in their form and administration, weight loss efficacy, diabetes control, safety and side effects, dosing titration, and patient convenience. Orforglipron is an oral, once-daily pill taken without food or water restrictions, whereas injectable GLP-1 drugs require subcutaneous injections, typically weekly or daily.
While Orforglipron induced up to 12.4% weight loss after 72 weeks in clinical trials for obesity, injectable GLP-1s like Wegovy (Novo Nordisk) and Eli Lilly’s injectable GLP-1 ZepBound (tirzepatide) have demonstrated greater weight loss efficacy, often exceeding 13.6%.
Doctors believe patients may find oral pills like Orforglipron easier to stick with compared to injectable medications. On the highest dose of 36 mg of Orforglipron, trial participants lost about 27 pounds, representing approximately 12% of their body weight. Ten percent of the trial participants taking the highest dose of Orforglipron chose to stop taking the pill.
Orforglipron also showed cardiovascular improvements in the trial participants, including lower systolic blood pressure, lower non-HDL cholesterol, and lower triglycerides. Federal health regulators will want to see more complete data on safety, tolerability, and effectiveness before considering the pills for possible approval.
Oral pills could be a future option for people transitioning away from injectables. Orforglipron may help reduce hemoglobin A1C levels in adults with Type 2 diabetes. Eli Lilly's new oral pill, Orforglipron, may offer similar weight loss results as weekly GLP-1 shots.
As the global obesity and diabetes epidemic continues to grow, convenient and effective treatments like Orforglipron could play a crucial role in managing these chronic conditions. The potential for an oral pill to offer similar weight loss results as injectable medications could make treatment more accessible and adherence easier, potentially reshaping treatment approaches in obesity and diabetes.
Science has highlighted the potential of Orforglipron, a new oral pill developed by Eli Lilly, in managing weight-and-wellness for both obesity and Type 2 diabetes. As shown in Phase 3 trials, the pill offers weight loss efficacy with an average of 27.3 pounds lost over 72 weeks. Additionally, Orforglipron may contribute to health-and-wellness by improving cardiovascular factors, as seen with lower systolic blood pressure, non-HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides in trial participants.
