Exciting News About a New Diabetes and Weight Management Option
Photo of pills spilling out of bottle. Orforglipron is a simple once-a-day pill.
Managing type 2 diabetes and weight can be challenging, but there's promising news about a new medication called orforglipron from Eli Lilly. This pill is currently being studied and might soon become a convenient addition to treatment options for people with type 2 diabetes or those looking to manage their weight.
What makes this medication special? Here’s what you should know:
1. It’s an Oral Pill, Not an Injection
Unlike some common medications for diabetes that need to be injected, orforglipron is a simple once-a-day pill. You won’t need to worry about needles or refrigerating medications. Plus, you can take it without worrying about timing it around meals or drinks.
2. It Helps Control Blood Sugar
Orforglipron works to lower A1C, which is a key measure of how well your blood sugar is being managed over time. During a recent study, people taking this pill saw significant drops in their A1C levels, with many reaching healthy blood sugar targets.
3. It Supports Weight Loss
For those who also manage their weight as part of their care, this medication showed impressive results. People on the highest dose lost an average of 16 pounds over 40 weeks. And the studies suggest more weight loss might be possible with continued use.
4. Safety and Side Effects
The safety of orforglipron appears similar to current injectable treatments. That means it’s generally well-tolerated by most people. The most common side effects were mild stomach-related issues, such as nausea or diarrhea, but they typically didn’t last long. Only a small number of people stopped taking the medication because of side effects.
How Could This Impact You?
More Convenience: A once-daily pill means added flexibility and ease, especially if injections are daunting or inconvenient for you.
Effective Results: It’s designed to improve your blood sugar and help with weight management, which are both important goals for long-term health.
A Familiar Option: If you’re already on a GLP-1 medication, this could be an alternative without the need for injections.
What Should You Do Next?
Talk to Your Doctor: This medication is still being studied and will need approval before being widely available. Your doctor will help you understand if and when it might be a good option for you.
Stay Educated: Ask questions and thrive on knowledge about new treatments. This will help you stay active in making decisions about your health.
While we wait for final approval and additional details, this new pill shows exciting potential to make life a little easier for people managing type 2 diabetes and their weight.