Foundayo FAQs

Foundayo FAQS

 

What is Foundayo?

 

Foundayo is a prescription medicine used for chronic weight management in adults who have obesity, or who are overweight and have at least one weight related condition such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnoea or cardiovascular disease. It contains orforglipron, an oral GLP 1 receptor agonist that helps reduce appetite and support weight loss.

 

How does Foundayo work? Foundayo activates GLP 1 receptors involved in regulating appetite, food intake and blood sugar control. It can reduce appetite and hunger, increase feelings of fullness, reduce food intake, delay stomach emptying and improve blood sugar control. These effects can support weight loss when combined with dietary changes and increased physical activity.

 

Who can take Foundayo? Foundayo is approved for adults with a body mass index of 30 kg/m² or greater. It may also be suitable for adults with a body mass index of 27 kg/m² or greater who have at least one weight related medical condition, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnoea or cardiovascular disease.

 

How is Foundayo taken?

Foundayo is taken by mouth once daily, at any time of day, with or without food. The tablet should be swallowed whole and should not be broken, crushed or chewed. The starting dose is 0.8 mg once daily. After at least 30 days, the dose is increased to 2.5 mg once daily. Further increases may be made after at least 30 days on the current dose, depending on response and tolerability. The available strengths are 0.8 mg, 2.5 mg, 5.5 mg, 9 mg, 14.5 mg and 17.2 mg. The maximum dose is 17.2 mg once daily. More than one tablet should not be taken in a day to achieve a higher dose.

 

What should I do if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take more than one tablet in a day and do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.

 

What are the possible side effects?

The most common side effects affect the digestive system and may be more noticeable when starting treatment or increasing the dose. These include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion and abdominal pain. Other common effects include acid reflux, wind, bloating, dizziness, headache, tiredness, hair loss, gallstones, an increased heart rate and low blood pressure. Serious or potentially serious effects can include pancreatitis, severe allergic reactions, gallbladder disease, severe constipation, bowel obstruction, kidney injury due to dehydration, low blood sugar when used with insulin or sulfonylurea medicines, and changes in vision. Seek medical advice promptly if you develop severe or persistent symptoms. A full list is provided in the patient information leaflet supplied with the medicine.

Is Foundayo effective for weight loss?

 

In major clinical studies, people taking orforglipron lost significantly more weight than those taking a placebo. Depending on the dose, average body weight reduction after 72 weeks ranged from approximately 7.8 per cent to 12.4 per cent. Some patients achieved reductions of 10 per cent, 15 per cent or 20 per cent of their starting body weight.

Can Foundayo be used long term?

Foundayo is licensed for weight loss and weight maintenance as part of a long term weight management plan. Maintaining weight loss usually requires ongoing lifestyle changes and, for some people, ongoing treatment. Weight regain may occur if treatment is stopped. The risks and benefits of continuing treatment should be reviewed with your clinician.

 

Can Foundayo be used if you are pregnant or breastfeeding?

No. Foundayo should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking Foundayo, stop treatment and seek medical advice. If you are planning a pregnancy, Foundayo should be stopped at least three weeks before trying to conceive. Women who could become pregnant should use effective contraception throughout treatment. Foundayo may reduce the effectiveness of oral hormonal contraceptives. If you use an oral hormonal contraceptive, use an additional barrier method, such as condoms, or change to a non oral method for 30 days after starting Foundayo and for 30 days after every dose increase.

Does Foundayo interact with other medicines?

Important interactions may occur with clarithromycin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, telaprevir, rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, bosentan, efavirenz, St John’s wort, simvastatin, rosuvastatin, cyclosporine and oral topotecan. Tell your clinician about all prescription medicines, non prescription medicines, vitamins and supplements before starting Foundayo, and tell PrivateDoc if you start a new medicine during treatment.

Does Foundayo interact with diabetes medicines?

Foundayo can increase the risk of low blood sugar when used with insulin or sulfonylurea medicines. Your clinician may need to reduce the dose of these medicines. Blood glucose monitoring may be needed to guide any adjustment.

Can I take Foundayo if I have had pancreatitis?

Foundayo has not been studied in people with a history of pancreatitis and should be used with caution. Tell your clinician if you have ever had pancreatitis. Seek urgent medical advice if you develop severe and persistent abdominal pain, which may spread to the back.

Can I take Foundayo if I have severe digestive problems?

Foundayo has not been studied in people with severe gastrointestinal disease, including severe gastroparesis. Tell your clinician if you have severe gastroparesis, a previous bowel obstruction, severe or prolonged constipation, or another serious digestive disorder.

Can I take Foundayo if I have liver disease?

Foundayo is not recommended for people with severe liver impairment. Tell your clinician if you have severe liver disease or have been told that your liver function is severely impaired.

Do I need to tell healthcare professionals before surgery?

Yes. Foundayo delays stomach emptying. Tell your surgeon, anaesthetist or other healthcare professional that you take Foundayo before any operation or procedure requiring general anaesthesia or deep sedation. This is important because food or liquid may be more likely to enter the lungs during the procedure.

Can I take Foundayo if I have problems with my eyes or vision?

Tell your clinician if you have diabetic retinopathy, macular oedema or another condition affecting your eyes or vision. Rapid improvement in blood sugar control can temporarily worsen diabetic retinopathy. Report any sudden change in vision or other unusual visual symptoms promptly.

 

Can I take Foundayo if I have heart failure?

Foundayo is not recommended for people with severe heart failure classified as NYHA Class IV because there is no clinical experience in this group. Tell your clinician if you have heart failure or a history of heart failure before starting treatment.

Can Foundayo affect my blood pressure?

Foundayo may lower blood pressure. Some people may experience dizziness, light headedness or fainting, particularly if they are also taking medication for high blood pressure. Tell your clinician if you take blood pressure medication or experience symptoms of low blood pressure.

Can I buy Foundayo over the counter?

No. Foundayo is a prescription only medicine and can only be supplied following an assessment by an appropriately qualified prescriber.