These results come at a time when there is increasing reliance on the new generation of slimming drugs known as GLP-1 agonists — such as “Ozempic” and “Mongaro” — which have gained widespread popularity despite requiring regular injections, refrigeration, and being expensive.
Amid fierce competition among pharmaceutical companies to offer simpler oral weight loss solutions, the study tested a new needle-free drug called Orforglipron, developed by the American company Eli Lilly, which also produces the famous drug "Mongaro".
More than 1,500 adults from 10 countries suffering from obesity and type 2 diabetes participated in the trial, taking the pill daily along with dietary and exercise guidelines.
The results showed that people who took the higher dose (36 milligrams) lost about 10% of their weight after 72 weeks, compared to only 2% in the placebo group.
However, the weight loss rates remain lower than those achieved by weekly "Mongaroo" injections, which helped users lose 22% of their weight during the same period.
The trial also detected side effects similar to those common with injectable GLP-1 drugs, such as nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea, especially at high doses.
"It's fascinating that an oral medication can lead to double the weight loss, averaging 10 kg," said Deborah Horne, lead researcher from the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. She added that the drug could be available as early as 2026, pending FDA approval, and at a significantly lower cost than current medications.
The study was published in the journal "The Lancet".
