Daily Obesity Pill Orforglipron Could Help Patients Lose 12% of Body Weight Over 72 Weeks, Offering a Needle-Free Alternative to Injectables

A new daily weight loss pill developed by pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly has shown promising results in clinical trials, helping participants lose an average of 12% of their body weight over a 72-week period. The medication, known as orforglipron, could represent a major breakthrough in obesity treatment and may soon offer patients an effective, needle-free alternative to popular injectable weight loss drugs. How the Daily Weight Loss Pill Works Orforglipron is an oral GLP-1 receptor agonist designed to suppress appetite and increase feelings of fullness, helping individuals reduce calorie intake and achieve sustained weight loss. In the trial, patients receiving the highest dose lost an average of 12 kilograms—nearly two stone—over a 16-month period. However, around 10% of participants discontinued use due to side effects, which included nausea and vomiting. Despite these side effects, researchers noted additional health benefits such as reductions in cholesterol, blood fats, and blood pressure, making orforglipron a potential multi-benefit weight loss medication. Eli Lilly’s Global Plans for Orforglipron Dr. Kenneth Custer, representing Eli Lilly, confirmed that the company plans to submit orforglipron for regulatory approval before the end of the year, with hopes for a global launch in 2025. According to Dr. Custer, the goal is to address the urgent public health crisis posed by obesity, which affects hundreds of millions worldwide. Competition in the Weight Loss Drug Market The weight loss medication market is currently dominated by powerful injectable treatments like Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic. While orforglipron’s 12% average weight loss falls short of the 22% weight loss achieved with Eli Lilly’s injectable Mounjaro, experts believe a daily pill for obesity could still capture a massive share of the market. Needle-free administration is a major draw for patients who prefer not to take weekly injections, and there is hope that oral obesity medications could be more affordable, increasing access for millions. Rival Weight Loss Pills in Development Eli Lilly isn’t the only company racing to bring an effective daily obesity pill to market. Competitor Novo Nordisk has developed an oral version of its blockbuster injectable Wegovy and has already submitted it for approval in the United States. In trials, Novo Nordisk’s pill achieved an average 15% weight loss over 64 weeks for patients on the highest dose. The upcoming European Association for the Study of Diabetes annual meeting will present the full clinical results of orforglipron, which will also be published in a peer-reviewed medical journal. The Future of Oral Obesity Treatments Experts believe the arrival of a safe, effective, and affordable daily weight loss pill could transform global obesity management. By eliminating the need for injections, medications like orforglipron could make weight loss treatment more accessible, reduce barriers to starting therapy, and help millions achieve healthier body weights. If approved, orforglipron could become a cornerstone in the fight against obesity, offering patients a simpler, less invasive option with significant health benefits.