Foundayo® vs Saxenda®
Two daily GLP-1 medications — one is a brand-new pill, one is a decade-old injection. Here’s how the outcomes and cost compare.
BestGLP1 is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Novo Nordisk A/S, Eli Lilly and Company, or any other manufacturer named on this page. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
12.4%
Avg weight loss Foundayo*
From
$149/mo
Foundayo
June 2026
8%
Avg weight loss Saxenda*
From
$145/mo
Saxenda
June 2026
What are they?
Both require daily dosing, but Foundayo is an oral pill (no restrictions) while Saxenda is a daily injection. Foundayo’s average weight loss is notably higher.
Foundayo
Weight ManagementFDA-approved oral GLP-1 receptor agonist for chronic weight management — the first weight-loss pill that can be taken at any time of day with no food or water restrictions. Made by Eli Lilly, approved April 2026.
Maker
Eli Lilly
Approved
2026
Format
Daily oral pill
Max dose
17.2 mg
Saxenda
Weight ManagementFDA-approved for chronic weight management since 2014. Uses liraglutide — a GLP-1 receptor agonist that requires daily injection. Generic liraglutide was approved in August 2025, reducing costs.
Maker
Novo Nordisk
Approved
2014
Format
Daily injection
Max dose
3 mg
Quick comparison
How they stack up on the metrics that matter most.
| Feature | Foundayo | Saxenda |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Orforglipron | Liraglutide |
| FDA approved for | Weight Management | Weight Management |
| Avg weight loss | 12.4%† | 8%† |
| Administration | Daily oral pill | Daily injection |
| Insurance | Limited | Moderate |
| Monthly Price | From $149/mo | From $145/mo |
Foundayo
Orforglipron
Saxenda
Liraglutide
Foundayo
Weight Management
Saxenda
Weight Management
Foundayo
12.4%†
Saxenda
8%†
Foundayo
Daily oral pill
Saxenda
Daily injection
Foundayo
Limited
Saxenda
Moderate
Foundayo
From $149/mo
Saxenda
From $145/mo
† Average weight loss data: Foundayo — ATTAIN-1 (oral orforglipron 36 mg, 72 weeks); Saxenda — SCALE (liraglutide 3 mg, 56 weeks).
More energy,
less weight
How you ramp up
Both medications use a gradual dose escalation to minimize side effects.
Foundayo
- 1
0.8 mg
Month 1
(Daily)
- 2
2.5 mg
Month 2
(Daily)
- 3
5.5 mg
Month 3
(Daily)
- 4
9 mg
Month 4
(Daily)
- 5
14.5 mg
Month 5
(Daily)
- 6
17.2 mg
Month 6+
(Maintenance)
Saxenda
- 1
0.6 mg
Week 1
(Daily)
- 2
1.2 mg
Week 2
(Daily)
- 3
1.8 mg
Week 3
(Daily)
- 4
2.4 mg
Week 4
(Daily)
- 5
3.0 mg
Week 5+
(Maintenance)
Start your weight‑loss
journey today
Weight loss compared
Clinical trial data showing average body weight reduction over 68 weeks.
Foundayo (17.2 mg)
Saxenda (3 mg)
† Average weight loss data: Foundayo — ATTAIN-1 (oral orforglipron 36 mg, 72 weeks); Saxenda — SCALE (liraglutide 3 mg, 56 weeks).
What to expect
How they stack up on the metrics that matter most.
| Side Effect | Foundayo (36 mg) | Saxenda (3 mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | ~33.7% | 39.3% |
| Diarrhea | ~23.1% | 20.9% |
| Vomiting | ~24.0% | 15.7% |
| Constipation | ~25.4% | 19.4% |
| Headache | ~9% | 13.6% |
| Fatigue | ~9% | 7.5% |
Foundayo (36 mg)
~33.7%
Saxenda (3 mg)
39.3%
Foundayo (36 mg)
~23.1%
Saxenda (3 mg)
20.9%
Foundayo (36 mg)
~24.0%
Saxenda (3 mg)
15.7%
Foundayo (36 mg)
~25.4%
Saxenda (3 mg)
19.4%
Foundayo (36 mg)
~9%
Saxenda (3 mg)
13.6%
Foundayo (36 mg)
~9%
Saxenda (3 mg)
7.5%
Side effects may be more noticeable during dose escalation, but individual experiences vary and some risks can be serious. GLP-1 medications are not appropriate for everyone. Review important warnings, contraindications, and the FDA label or Medication Guide with a licensed healthcare provider before starting or switching treatment.
The bottom line
Branded GLP-1 medications can offer effective weight loss, requiring individualized risk-benefit clinical evaluation.
Two different GLP-1 options
- Foundayo is an oral GLP-1 medication FDA-approved for chronic weight management in eligible adults. It is taken once daily and may be suitable for patients who prefer an oral option to injectables.
- Saxenda supports steady weight loss, appetite reduction, flexible daily dosing, and long-standing clinical experience demonstrating effective, sustainable metabolic health improvements for many patients.
Providers may pay BestGLP1 a referral fee. We disclose this for FTC compliance; rankings remain editorial.
What you
need to know
On average, yes. Trial data shows Foundayo (orforglipron) at ~11.1% body-weight reduction vs ~8% for Saxenda (liraglutide). Individual results vary, but Foundayo is the stronger option for weight loss across most patient profiles.
Yes — many patients move from Saxenda to Foundayo for greater average weight loss (about 12.4% vs about 8% in their respective trials) without daily injections. Your provider will typically restart you at the lowest Foundayo dose and titrate up over several months to manage tolerability.
Patients consistently report better compliance with oral medications. Foundayo has no food or water timing restrictions, which removes one of the main friction points of older oral GLP-1s. Daily injections are a bigger psychological hurdle for many patients, especially long term.
Generic liraglutide became widely available after its approval in August 2025 and is now stocked at most major pharmacies. Pricing varies — ask your provider or pharmacist about cash-pay rates and savings programs.
Yes. Both Foundayo and Saxenda require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. A consultation is required to assess whether treatment is appropriate for you.
- Foundayo (orforglipron, 36 mg capsule / 17.2 mg tablet equivalent). Trial: ATTAIN-1 (3,127 participants, 72 weeks, adults with obesity or overweight without diabetes). Average weight loss: ~12.4% vs 0.9% placebo.
- Saxenda (liraglutide 3.0 mg). Trial: SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes (3,731 participants, 56 weeks, adults with obesity/overweight without Type 2 Diabetes). Average weight loss: −8.0% vs −2.6% placebo. Pi-Sunyer et al., NEJM 2015.
BestGLP1 publishes these guides for informational and comparison purposes only. The information on this site is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and is not a substitute for guidance from a licensed healthcare professional. GLP-1 medications must be prescribed and monitored by a qualified provider; consult your provider to determine whether treatment is appropriate for your individual circumstances. Prices, side-effect rates, and clinical figures shown here are general references drawn from manufacturer labelling and published trials, and may not reflect your specific situation.
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Providers may pay BestGLP1 a referral fee. We disclose this for FTC compliance; rankings remain editorial.