An international group of scientists has established that the oral medication orforglipron, which is a tablet version of a GLP-1 analog, allows adults suffering from obesity and type 2 diabetes to achieve significant weight loss and normalization of blood glucose levels. The data from this study were published in the prestigious scientific journal The Lancet. Currently, the most effective medications in this category are injectable forms, which cause inconvenience for some patients due to the need for injections. The developers claim that orforglipron has the potential to become a more convenient and accessible alternative. Orforglipron is a small-molecule, non-peptide agonist of the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor. The drug is taken once daily, it stimulates insulin secretion, reduces glucagon secretion, suppresses appetite, and aids in controlling food intake. The tablets do not require a cold chain, and their administration is not tied to mealtimes. As noted by Deborah Horn, a professor at McGovern Medical School and the principal investigator of this study, such a convenient form of administration may significantly expand the group of people who have access to obesity and diabetes treatment. The study involved 1,613 adults from 10 countries diagnosed with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Over 72 weeks, the orforglipron dosage was gradually increased for participants—from 1 mg to 6, 12, and 36 mg—and the effect achieved was compared with that of the placebo group. A distinguishing feature of this trial compared to most similar studies was that participants were not prescribed a strict low-calorie diet. Instead, they were encouraged toward more flexible, daily lifestyle modifications: controlling portion sizes, avoiding skipped meals, increasing intake of protein and fiber, limiting sugar and saturated fats, as well as regular physical exercise. The results after 72 weeks showed weight loss of up to 10.5% and improvement in glycemic markers. Patients also reported improved blood sugar control. Adverse events were mostly mild or moderate and affected the gastrointestinal tract, which aligns with the side effect profile of injectable GLP-1 drugs. According to the study creators, orforglipron has the potential to become the “metformin of obesity” — a widely used and accessible first-line therapy. Its commercial launch is planned for 2026, and its cost is expected to be significantly lower than that of existing injectable analogs.
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