Pills are typically more cost-effective to manufacture, simpler for bulk production, and less likely to experience shortages compared to injectable drugs. Furthermore, pills are easy to transport, as they do not necessitate refrigeration like injectables, which require cold storage facilities. Eli Lilly’s new anti-obesity pill, orforglipron, appears to offer results comparable to GLP-1 injectables such as Ozempic, aiding in weight loss and blood sugar control for individuals with diabetes. This innovation was recently presented at the American Diabetes Association meeting and detailed in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Eli Lilly, the company behind the successful GLP-1 drug tirzepatide (Mounjaro for diabetes treatment and Zepbound for weight management and sleep apnea), now offers two weekly injectable options. However, given the aversion to needles and preference for easier medication administration among some individuals, the introduction of orforglipron in pill form is anticipated.
Eli Lilly introduced orforglipron, a new pill with efficacy comparable to leading injectable GLP-1 treatments. Kenneth Custer, who directs cariometabolic health at Eli Lilly, considers this development a potential game-changer. The aim is to secure regulatory approval for orforglipron for weight management later this year and for type 2 diabetes treatment by 2026.
Rybelsus, an oral form of semaglutide introduced in 2019, is not currently approved for managing weight and is not as effective in weight loss as injectable GLP-1s. Having an obesity-specific pill could expand treatment options and enhance accessibility to these drugs.
Orforglipron exhibited common side effects found in other GLP-1 medications, including minor digestive issues such as diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, and constipation. Approximately 4 to 8 percent of individuals across the varying doses discontinued usage due to side effects, with only 1 percent in the placebo group discontinuing.
In a 40-week trial involving 559 participants with type 2 diabetes, three different doses of orforglipron – 3 milligrams, 12 milligrams, and 36 milligrams – were assessed against a placebo. All three doses demonstrated efficacy in lowering blood sugar levels, with the middle and highest doses producing substantial weight loss effects. The highest dose resulted in an average weight reduction of 7.9 percent, equivalent to around 16 pounds – a result consistent with studies on semaglutide and tirzepatide over the same timeframe.
Dr. Priya Jaisinghani, an expert in diabetes and obesity at NYU Langone, believes that orforglipron offers unique advantages such as flexible pre-med requirements, potentially lower costs, and easier storage. It will be intriguing to observe whether these benefits encourage more individuals to adhere to their treatment regimen. Adhering to such medications over the long term can significantly impact one’s health.
Participants in the trial took the pill once daily without any dietary restrictions. Those using orforglipron began with a low dosage of 1 milligram per day, gradually increasing the amount every four weeks – a strategy commonly employed with existing GLP-1 drugs to mitigate side effects.
