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.
11.1%
Avg weight loss Foundayo
8.0%
Avg weight loss Saxenda
$779/mo
Foundayo retail (no insurance)
$149
Foundayo via telehealth
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 |
| Max dose | 17.2 mg | 3 mg |
| Avg weight loss | ~11.1% | ~8% |
| Administration | Daily oral pill | Daily injection |
| Insurance | Limited | Moderate |
| Retail price/mo | $779/mo | $1,350/mo |
| Telehealth price | From $149/mo | From $149/mo |
Foundayo
Orforglipron
Saxenda
Liraglutide
Foundayo
Weight Management
Saxenda
Weight Management
Foundayo
17.2 mg
Saxenda
3 mg
Foundayo
~11.1%
Saxenda
~8%
Foundayo
Daily oral pill
Saxenda
Daily injection
Foundayo
Limited
Saxenda
Moderate
Foundayo
$779/mo
Saxenda
$1,350/mo
Foundayo
From $149/mo
Saxenda
From $149/mo
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)
What you’ll pay
Real pricing — no misleading teaser rates or hidden fees.
Foundayo
- Retail (no insurance)
- $779/mo
- With insurance
- $25–$200/mo
- Telehealth (compounded)
- From $149/mo
- Manufacturer savings
- Available
Special offer
Save up to 30% EVERY month!
Saxenda
- Retail (no insurance)
- $1,350/mo
- With insurance
- $0–$200/mo
- Telehealth (compounded)
- From $149/mo
- Manufacturer savings
- Available
Special offer
Save up to 30% EVERY month!
Some providers pay BestGLP1 a referral fee when you sign up. We disclose this because the FTC requires it. Our rankings are editorial.
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)
Placebo
What to expect
How they stack up on the metrics that matter most.
| Side Effect | Foundayo | Saxenda |
|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 35% | 39% |
| Diarrhea | 25% | 21% |
| Vomiting | 22% | 16% |
| Constipation | 24% | 19% |
| Headache | 9% | 14% |
| Fatigue | 9% | 8% |
Foundayo
35%
Saxenda
39%
Foundayo
25%
Saxenda
21%
Foundayo
22%
Saxenda
16%
Foundayo
24%
Saxenda
19%
Foundayo
9%
Saxenda
14%
Foundayo
9%
Saxenda
8%
* Foundayo rates at 17.2 mg max dose
Side effects are generally most pronounced during the first 4–8 weeks and tend to subside. Always consult your healthcare provider.
The bottom line
Two daily GLP-1s with very different forms and price tags. Here’s how to think about it.
Choose based on your goal
- Choose Foundayo if you want Foundayo (FDA-approved for chronic weight management) — a daily oral that delivers meaningfully higher weight loss than liraglutide without any injection.
- Choose Saxenda (generic liraglutide) if you want Saxenda (FDA-approved for chronic weight management) at the most affordable entry point, especially now that generic pricing is widely available.
Some providers pay BestGLP1 a referral fee when you sign up. We disclose this because the FTC requires it. Our rankings are 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 stronger results 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.
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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Some providers pay BestGLP1 a referral fee when you sign up. We disclose this because the FTC requires it. Our rankings are editorial.