Mounjaro® vs Foundayo®
Both from Eli Lilly, but one is a weekly diabetes injection and the other is a daily oral pill for weight loss. Very different approaches.
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11.0%
Avg weight loss Mounjaro*
From
$149/mo
Mounjaro
June 2026
12.4%
Avg weight loss Foundayo*
From
$149/mo
Foundayo
June 2026
What are they?
Mounjaro uses injectable tirzepatide approved for type 2 diabetes. Foundayo is a daily oral orforglipron pill approved specifically for obesity.
Mounjaro
Type 2 DiabetesFDA-approved to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes. Uses a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor mechanism, activating both simultaneously. It’s not a weight loss drug but does regulate blood sugar and decrease how much food you consume.
Maker
Eli Lilly
Approved
2022
Format
Weekly injection
Max dose
15 mg
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
Quick comparison
How they stack up on the metrics that matter most.
| Feature | Mounjaro | Foundayo |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Tirzepatide | Orforglipron |
| FDA approved for | Type 2 Diabetes | Weight Management |
| Avg weight loss | 11.0%† | 12.4%† |
| Administration | Weekly injection | Daily oral pill |
| Insurance | Moderate | Limited |
| Monthly Price | From $149/mo | From $149/mo |
Mounjaro
Tirzepatide
Foundayo
Orforglipron
Mounjaro
Type 2 Diabetes
Foundayo
Weight Management
Mounjaro
11.0%†
Foundayo
12.4%†
Mounjaro
Weekly injection
Foundayo
Daily oral pill
Mounjaro
Moderate
Foundayo
Limited
Mounjaro
From $149/mo
Foundayo
From $149/mo
† Average weight loss data: Mounjaro — SURPASS-1 (tirzepatide 15 mg, 40 weeks); Foundayo — ATTAIN-1 (oral orforglipron 36 mg, 72 weeks).
More energy,
less weight
How you ramp up
Both medications use a gradual dose escalation to minimize side effects.
Mounjaro
- 1
2.5 mg
Weeks 1–4
- 2
5 mg
Weeks 5–8
- 3
7.5 mg
Weeks 9–12
- 4
10 mg
Weeks 13–16
- 5
12.5 mg
Weeks 17–20
- 6
15 mg
Weeks 21+
(Maintenance)
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)
Start your weight‑loss
journey today
Weight loss compared
Clinical trial data showing average body weight reduction over 68 weeks.
Mounjaro (15 mg)
Foundayo (17.2 mg)
† Average weight loss data: Mounjaro — SURPASS-1 (tirzepatide 15 mg, 40 weeks); Foundayo — ATTAIN-1 (oral orforglipron 36 mg, 72 weeks).
What to expect
How they stack up on the metrics that matter most.
| Side Effect | Mounjaro (15 mg) | Foundayo (36 mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 18% | ~33.7% |
| Diarrhea | 17% | ~23.1% |
| Vomiting | 9% | ~24.0% |
| Constipation | 7% | ~25.4% |
| Headache | N/A | ~9% |
| Fatigue | N/A | ~9% |
Mounjaro (15 mg)
18%
Foundayo (36 mg)
~33.7%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
17%
Foundayo (36 mg)
~23.1%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
9%
Foundayo (36 mg)
~24.0%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
7%
Foundayo (36 mg)
~25.4%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
N/A
Foundayo (36 mg)
~9%
Mounjaro (15 mg)
N/A
Foundayo (36 mg)
~9%
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
- Mounjaro is FDA-approved for type 2 diabetes, with blood-sugar control, weekly dosing convenience, and clinical trial evidence supporting metabolic outcomes in appropriate patients.
- 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.
Providers may pay BestGLP1 a referral fee. We disclose this for FTC compliance; rankings remain editorial.
What you
need to know
Foundayo is only FDA-approved for chronic weight management, not type 2 diabetes. If you have a diabetes diagnosis, Mounjaro (or another GLP-1 with a diabetes indication) is the appropriate choice — your provider can confirm which fits your case.
Not currently. Foundayo’s FDA approval is for obesity and overweight with weight-related comorbidities, not diabetes. Eli Lilly has run separate diabetes trials for orforglipron, but as of April 2026 it does not carry a type 2 diabetes indication.
Tirzepatide’s dual GIP/GLP-1 mechanism produces nearly double the average weight loss of orforglipron in trials (about 20% vs 11.1%). The trade-off is a weekly injection versus a once-daily pill with no food or water restrictions.
Mounjaro typically has broader coverage when prescribed for type 2 diabetes, since most plans cover diabetes drugs more readily than weight-loss drugs. Foundayo coverage varies and depends on whether your plan includes obesity medications.
Yes. Both Mounjaro and Foundayo require a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. A consultation is required to assess whether treatment is appropriate for you.
- Mounjaro (tirzepatide 5/10/15 mg). Trial: SURPASS-1 (478 participants, 40 weeks, adults with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled on diet and exercise). Average weight loss by dose: 5 mg: −7.9%, 10 mg: −9.3%, 15 mg: −11.0% vs −0.9% placebo. Rosenstock et al., Lancet 2021.
- 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.
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.