Researchers highlight benefits of once-daily oral weight-loss pill for type 2 diabetes
A new international study published in The Lancet has found that the once-daily oral weight-loss medication orforglipron may offer significant benefits for people living with type 2 diabetes, with researchers describing the results as an “important advancement” in treatment.
The trial compared orforglipron with oral semaglutide, the only other tablet GLP-1 receptor agonist currently available. Researchers reported that orforglipron not only improved blood sugar control but also produced greater weight reduction over a one-year period. Participants taking orforglipron lost between six and eight per cent of their body weight, compared with four to five per cent in the semaglutide group.
A key advantage of orforglipron is its ease of use. Unlike oral semaglutide, which must be taken on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before eating with minimal water, orforglipron can be taken at any time, without food or fluid restrictions.
The study included 1,500 adults with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled by metformin, recruited across 131 medical centres in Argentina, China, Japan, Mexico and the US. Participants received either 12mg or 36mg of orforglipron or 7mg or 14mg of oral semaglutide daily for 12 months.
While orforglipron was generally well-tolerated, gastrointestinal side effects were reported more frequently than with semaglutide. The research team said: “Orforglipron represents an important advancement in the oral treatment landscape for type 2 diabetes. Its efficacy, safety, tolerability and simple dosing could overcome barriers associated with current therapies, offering a highly effective option for glycaemic and weight control without injections or complex administration.”
Douglas Twenefour, Head of Clinical at Diabetes UK, welcomed the findings, highlighting the need for a range of safe and effective treatments for people with obesity and type 2 diabetes: “GLP-1 medications, alongside appropriate support, are effective tools for both weight loss and diabetes management. Oral options like orforglipron could help more people reduce their risk of complications and improve health outcomes, while offering flexibility and convenience.”
The research adds to a growing portfolio of GLP-1 therapies and may provide a practical alternative for people seeking effective oral treatment for type 2 diabetes and obesity.