Key takeaways:
Orforglipron is a new weight-loss pill in clinical trials. If the FDA approves orforglipron, it would be an oral alternative to injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists like Zepbound (tirzepatide). A similar medication, danuglipron, is no longer being developed.
Phase 3 study results for orforglipron found that the medication helped people lose an average of about 12% of their initial body weight after 72 weeks. Its side effects are similar to injectable GLP-1 agonists.
Eli Lilly is aiming to file for orforglipron’s FDA approval as a weight-loss treatment by late 2025. If the review process goes smoothly, the medication could receive FDA approval sometime in 2026, with a commercial launch potentially following shortly thereafter.
There’s always a media buzz when a new weight-loss drug hits the market. Or when new data shows that a medication can effectively lower body weight. If weight loss is something that you’re interested in, medication might present a way forward.
If you've been exploring medication options to help you manage your weight, you may have stumbled across injections, such as Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide). For some, the thought of regularly giving yourself injections may seem overwhelming or uncomfortable.
Fortunately, a new generation of weight-loss pills may soon become an alternative option to injectable glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists.
What are ‘glipron’ medications?
A new group of medications, known as “gliprons,” are showing promise in clinical trials for weight loss and Type 2 diabetes. Their nickname comes from their suffixes, or the ending of their generic names. They work by mimicking the effects of natural GLP-1 in the body.
Orforglipron is currently the main example. It’s an oral capsule taken once daily. It’s a GLP-1 receptor agonist that has similar effects as other medications of its type. Orforglipron is made by Eli Lilly, the same company that makes Mounjaro (tirzepatide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), and many other diabetes medications.
Danuglipron was a similar oral tablet meant to work like orforglipron, but its manufacturer has stopped developing it.
Good to know: Try not to confuse gliprons with gliptins. Gliptins are a different group of Type 2 diabetes medications. Januvia (sitagliptin) and Tradjenta (linagliptin) are two common gliptins.
What happened to danuglipron?
Danuglipron was a once-daily, oral GLP-1 receptor agonist being developed by Pfizer. It initially showed promising results in clinical trials. But, during a dose study, one participant experienced a possible drug-related liver injury. The injury went away after they stopped the medication.
Although overall liver enzyme levels were similar to those seen with other approved GLP-1 medications, Pfizer decided that danuglipron’s potential liver risks outweighed its benefits.
After reviewing all clinical data and regulatory input, Pfizer officially discontinued danuglipron in 2025. The company had already stopped work on a twice-daily version due to high rates of stomach-related side effects.
How is orforglipron different from other weight-loss medications?
Orforglipron is similar to other GLP-1 receptor agonists. But it's made using different materials and processes.
Upcoming options: GoodRx pharmacists review other weight-loss medications that are being studied in clinical trials.
Convenience and impact: Discover what to know about weight-loss pills that are already FDA approved for use.
GLP-1 pills: Orforglipron isn’t the only GLP-1 pill in development for weight loss. Read on for an overview of what to know about similar products in the works.
A holistic approach: Combining weight-loss medication with lifestyle changes can improve your chances of success. Here, one person shares how a new diet and mindset helped keep him at his ideal body weight.
Injectable GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Wegovy, are peptides (chains of amino acids) that resemble a gut hormone called GLP-1. This hormone plays a role in digestion and blood glucose (sugar) regulation. These medications mimic GLP-1’s natural effects, helping you feel fuller for longer and lessening your appetite. This often leads to weight loss.
But these peptides can’t travel through your stomach very well due to their size. Plus, enzymes (proteins) and acids in your gut can break peptides apart, rendering them ineffective. This is why they’re typically made as injections, not pills. The only oral option, Rybelsus (semaglutide), is made with an absorption-enhancing ingredient and has specific instructions for taking it.
Gliprons address this issue. Like many other medications, they’re small-molecule drugs made using chemical synthesis rather than peptides or proteins. They’re able to start working after you swallow a dose and don’t generally need to be timed around meals. Dubbed “nonpeptide” GLP-1 receptor agonists, they activate GLP-1 in their own way.
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As an added bonus, experts predict that orforglipron will be easier and cheaper to produce in bulk. This may translate to additional savings at the pharmacy.
Non-GLP-1 weight-loss medications
Other FDA-approved weight-loss medications are available. They work in a different way than GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Contrave: This oral tablet contains naltrexone, an opioid blocker, and bupropion, an antidepressant. It reduces cravings and hunger.
Qsymia: This oral capsule also contains two active ingredients. Phentermine is a stimulant and topiramate ER is an anti-seizure medication. Together, they can lessen cravings and hunger.
Orlistat: This oral capsule helps your body absorb less dietary fat. It’s available with a prescription as name-brand Xenical and over the counter as name-brand Alli.
Phentermine: A short-term weight loss treatment, this oral tablet is a stimulant that reduces appetite. Benzphetamine, diethylpropion, and phendimetrazine are alternative options that work in a similar way.
Imcivree: Unlike the other medications, Imcivree isn’t a pill. It’s an under the skin injection that promotes weight loss for those with certain genetic conditions. Its active ingredient is setmelanotide.
Many more medications are taken off-label for weight loss. Metformin, topiramate (Topamax), and bupropion are three options out of many. They tend to cause weight loss as a side effect.
Are there clinical trial results for orforglipron?
Yes, some recent clinical trial results are available for orforglipron. Here’s some of what the studies say so far:
Weight loss: In phase 2 study, orforglipron helped adults lose an average of up to 15% of their initial body weight. These results were seen after about 36 weeks (8 months) of daily use. Everyone in the study was considered overweight or obese. More recent results from orforglipron's phase 3 ATTAIN-1 trial showed that people taking the highest dose (36 mg) for 72 weeks (about 17 months) lost an average of about 12% of their initial body weight.
Type 2 diabetes: Orforglipron has also been tested by adults with Type 2 diabetes in a phase 3 trial. After 40 weeks (9 months), orforglipron reduced A1C levels by about 1.3% to 1.6% from a baseline of 8%. People taking the highest dose also lost an average 8% of their starting body weight — that’s around 16 lbs.
What are the side effects of orforglipron?
All medications can cause side effects, including orforglipron. So far, clinical studies suggest that orforglipron has similar side effects to injectable GLP-1 receptor agonists. Nausea, diarrhea, and stomach pain are all possible complaints. We’ll learn more about risks and side effects as clinical trials go on.
When will orforglipron be available?
There’s not a set timeframe for when orforglipron will be commercially available. The medication is still going through clinical trials, and the FDA will need time to review orforglipron’s approval application.
That said, Eli Lilly plans to file a New Drug Application for weight loss in late 2025. If all goes well, orforglipron could be approved several months later in 2026, with a commercial launch possibly following soon after. A separate application for treating diabetes may be submitted in 2026.
In the meantime, consumers and healthcare professionals should stay updated as new data and announcements are released. Be sure to check back with GoodRx for the latest information.
What other new weight-loss drugs are being developed?
Weight-loss medications are a hot topic of research. Many pharmaceutical companies are working on developing weight-loss medications in clinical trials.
Gliprons aside, three examples of many include:
Retatrutide: An under-the-skin injection, retatrutide targets three hormones in the body — GLP-1, GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide), and glucagon. A phase 2 study found it can help people lose up to 24% of their starting body weight. Phase 3 data is expected later in 2025.
Oral semaglutide: Wegovy is already available as an injectable weight-loss medication, but oral Wegovy may be next in line.
APH-012: This once-daily pill mimics the effects of “weight-loss surgery,” better known as gastric bypass surgery. It’s currently in a phase 2 study.
The bottom line
Orforglipron is an oral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. Unlike injectable GLP-1 receptor agonists, orforglipron is a small molecule drug, not a peptide. It appears to be an effective treatment option for weight loss and Type 2 diabetes, but clinical trials are still underway. If all goes well, orforglipron could be FDA approved as a weight-loss treatment sometime in 2026. An approval for Type 2 diabetes may follow suit.
Danuglipron, a similar medication, is no longer being developed.
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References
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Aphaia Pharma. (n.d.). Aphaia is advancing a pipeline with the potential to address significant unmet medical needs and markets.
Constantino, A. K. (2025). Eli Lilly to release late-stage data on next-generation weight loss drug retatrutide in 2025, earlier than expected. CNBC.
David, S., et al. (2010). Drug-induced liver injury. US Gastroenterology & Hepatology Review.
Eli Lilly and Company. (2023). Lilly's phase 2 results published in the New England Journal of Medicine show orforglipron, a once-daily oral nonpeptide GLP-1 receptor agonist, achieved up to 14.7% mean weight reduction at 36 weeks in adults with obesity or overweight.
Eli Lilly and Company. (2023). Lilly's phase 2 retatrutide results published in The New England Journal of Medicine show the investigational molecule achieved up to 17.5% mean weight reduction at 24 weeks in adults with obesity and overweight.
Eli Lilly and Company. (2025). Lilly's oral GLP-1, orforglipron, delivers weight loss of up to an average of 27.3 lbs in first of two pivotal Phase 3 trials in adults with obesity.
Eli Lilly and Company. (2025). Lilly's oral GLP-1, orforglipron, demonstrated statistically significant efficacy results and a safety profile consistent with injectable GLP-1 medicines in successful Phase 3 trial.
Eli Lilly and Company. (2025). Lilly's oral GLP-1, orforglipron, showed compelling efficacy and a safety profile consistent with injectable GLP-1 medicines, in complete Phase 3 results published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
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Rosenstock, J., et al. (2025). Orforglipron, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, in early type 2 diabetes. The New England Journal of Medicine.
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