New investigational oral GLP-1 May Work Better Than Oral Semaglutide for Type 2 Diabetes
A new oral diabetes medicine called orforglipron has shown encouraging results in a clinical trial. The medicine, developed by Eli Lilly, helped people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood sugar levels and lose more weight than oral semaglutide, another daily diabetes medicine. It could become a good option for people who prefer tablets instead of injections like Ozempic. However, orforglipron is still being studied in people with obesity without diabetes to better understand its potential benefits in other patient groups.
What Did Researchers Find in the Study?
The study lasted 52 weeks and included 1,698 adults with type 2 diabetes from six countries. Researchers compared orforglipron with oral semaglutide to see which medicine worked better.
At the start of the study, participants had an average HbA1c level of 8.3%. HbA1c is a blood test that shows a person’s average blood sugar levels over the past three months. By the end of the trial, people taking the weight loss pill orforglipron saw their HbA1c levels drop by 1.71% to 1.91%. Those taking oral semaglutide had an average reduction of 1.47%.
The oral diabetes medicine also helped people lose 6.1 to 8.2 kg, while those taking oral semaglutide lost about 5.3 kg on average.
How This Pill Is Different?
Like Ozempic, this weight loss pill works by targeting GLP-1 receptors. This helps the body release insulin, slows down digestion, and makes people feel full for longer.
One big difference is that orforglipron is a small-molecule drug, while semaglutide is a peptide drug. Because of this, it may offer manufacturing advantages. It also does not need refrigeration, which could make it easier to use in many parts of the world.
Another advantage is convenience. Oral semaglutide must be taken on an empty stomach, and people have to wait about 30 minutes before eating or drinking. Orforglipron does not have these restrictions.
The Side Effects You Should Not Miss
The most common side effects of this weight loss pill were stomach-related, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and constipation.
About 59% of people taking orforglipron reported these side effects, compared with 37% to 45% of people taking oral semaglutide.
Around 10% of participants stopped taking orforglipron because of side effects, while 4% to 5% of people in the oral semaglutide group stopped treatment.
What This Means Going Forward?
Researchers are also studying this weight loss pill in people with obesity who do not have diabetes. There has not yet been a direct comparison with injectable GLP-1 medicines like Ozempic, but the latest results suggest orforglipron could become an important new diabetes medicine in the future.
Key Takeaway
Orforglipron is still being studied, but the latest Phase 3 trial results are encouraging. The new oral GLP-1 drug helped people with type 2 diabetes lower their blood sugar levels and lose more weight than oral semaglutide. While side effects remain an important consideration, its easy-to-take tablet form and strong results suggest it could become an important new diabetes medicine if future studies and regulatory approvals continue to go well.
