---
title: "Foundayo Side Effects: What the Label Says About the Pill"
description: "Foundayo side effects from the July 2026 label: how often nausea, constipation and diarrhea occurred by dose, the serious warnings, and when to call."
url: https://mingo.fit/blog/foundayo-side-effects/
language: en
published: 2026-11-06
---

# Foundayo Side Effects: What the Label Says About the Pill

The most common Foundayo side effects are digestive: nausea, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, indigestion and stomach pain. In the trials behind the label, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea were more frequent while the dose was being raised and decreased over time. The label's boxed warning is about thyroid C-cell tumors. Call your prescriber about stomach problems that are severe or don't go away.

Mingo is a GLP-1 tracker app; this guide summarizes the prescribing information and published trials and is not medical advice.

Foundayo is orforglipron, Eli Lilly's once-daily GLP-1 tablet for weight reduction. The FDA approved it on April 1, 2026 ([Drugs@FDA, NDA 220934](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=220934)). It is for adults with obesity, or adults with overweight and at least one weight-related condition, used with a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity. Everything below comes from the [Foundayo prescribing information and Medication Guide on DailyMed](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=8ac446c5-feba-474f-a103-23facb9b5c62) (Revised: 7/2026) unless another source is named. For results trial by trial, see our [orforglipron side effects guide](https://mingo.fit/blog/orforglipron-side-effects/).

## How common are Foundayo side effects?

The label's safety numbers come from two placebo-controlled trials pooled together: Trial 1, in adults without type 2 diabetes ([ATTAIN-1](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40960239/)), and Trial 2, in adults with type 2 diabetes ([ATTAIN-2](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41275875/)). In the pool, 3,155 adults with obesity or overweight took Foundayo once daily for up to 72 weeks. Their average age was 49, and 31% had type 2 diabetes. The trials used an investigational orforglipron formulation, and the label reports the results as the matching Foundayo doses.

Below is the label's Table 1 (section 6.1, Revised: 7/2026): side effects reported in at least 5% of people on Foundayo and more often than on placebo, by assigned dose.

| Side effect | Placebo (N=1,576) | Foundayo 5.5 mg (N=1,051) | Foundayo 9 mg (N=1,055) | Foundayo 17.2 mg (N=1,049) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 10% | 26% | 34% | 35% |
| Constipation | 9% | 20% | 27% | 24% |
| Diarrhea | 11% | 21% | 23% | 25% |
| Vomiting | 4% | 13% | 21% | 24% |
| Indigestion (dyspepsia) | 4% | 12% | 16% | 13% |
| Stomach (abdominal) pain | 7% | 13% | 14% | 14% |
| Headache | 7% | 8% | 9% | 9% |
| Swollen belly (abdominal distension) | 3% | 7% | 9% | 8% |
| Fatigue | 4% | 6% | 7% | 9% |
| Belching (eructation) | 1% | 6% | 8% | 8% |
| Reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease) | 2% | 6% | 6% | 7% |
| Gas (flatulence) | 2% | 5% | 6% | 6% |
| Hair loss | 2% | 4% | 4% | 5% |

Stomach pain, fatigue and hair loss include related terms, as the label notes. The trials compared three doses with placebo, so the label has no separate rates for the other tablet strengths. A higher dose didn't always mean more of every effect: constipation and indigestion were reported less often at 17.2 mg than at 9 mg.

Counting every digestive side effect together, 60%, 68% and 69% of people on 5.5 mg, 9 mg and 17.2 mg reported at least one, compared with 37% on placebo. Of the people on Foundayo who had a digestive side effect, 60% had mild, 36% moderate and 4% severe reactions.

Side effects led 8% of people on Foundayo to stop treatment for good (6% at 5.5 mg, 9% at 9 mg and 10% at 17.2 mg), compared with 3% on placebo. Digestive side effects caused most of those stops, accounting for 5% of people on Foundayo.

## Other side effects in the Foundayo label

The label reports these less common effects from the same pooled trials:

- **Dizziness:** 4% on Foundayo, 3% on placebo.
- **Low blood pressure (hypotension):** 2% on Foundayo, 0.5% on placebo. It was more frequent in people on Foundayo who also took blood pressure medicine (4%) than in those who didn't (1%).
- **Hair loss:** linked to weight reduction, and reported more often in women than in men, at 7% versus 0.9% on Foundayo and 3% versus 0.7% on placebo.
- **Taste changes (dysgeusia):** 0.9% on Foundayo, 0.3% on placebo.
- **Dysesthesia:** 0.3% at 9 mg and 1% at 17.2 mg, 0.1% on placebo, and none at 5.5 mg.
- **Blood test changes:** average pancreatic amylase rose 16% to 20% and lipase rose 26% to 31% from baseline on Foundayo, versus 3% and 4% on placebo. The label says the meaning of these rises is unknown when there are no other signs of pancreatitis.

## When do Foundayo side effects start, and how long do they last?

The label gives one direct statement about timing: the incidence of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea was higher during the dose escalation period and decreased over time (section 6.1).

Two other label facts are worth knowing:

- **The slow start is on purpose.** The step-by-step dosing schedule is there to reduce the risk of digestive side effects (section 2.1). The steps are in the Wegovy pill comparison below.
- **Stomach emptying slows most at first.** Foundayo delays stomach emptying, and the delay is largest after the first dose and diminishes over time (section 12.2).

The label also says that if 7 or more doses in a row are missed, dosing should restart at a lower dose to reduce the risk of digestive side effects (section 2.3). The Medication Guide tells patients in that situation to call their healthcare provider about how to restart.

The label gives an elimination half-life of approximately 29 to 49 hours after an oral dose, with steady levels reached after about one week of daily doses (section 12.3).

What the label does not report: how many days or weeks a side effect usually lasts, the day it usually starts, or rates for each dose step. So the only way to see your own pattern is to log it: when a symptom starts, how strong it is, and whether it follows a dose increase or a missed dose.

## How can you manage Foundayo side effects?

Start with the label's own instructions. Take Foundayo by mouth once a day, with or without food, and swallow the tablet whole without breaking, crushing or chewing it. The label doesn't say whether taking it with food changes nausea. The Medication Guide says it is important to drink fluids to help reduce the chance of dehydration, and to talk to your healthcare provider about any side effect that bothers you or doesn't go away.

The tips below come from [Cleveland Clinic's guide to the digestive side effects of GLP-1 medications](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-manage-glp-1-side-effects) and from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). They cover GLP-1 medicines in general, not Foundayo specifically.

### Nausea and vomiting

Cleveland Clinic suggests eating smaller meals, eating slowly, and limiting greasy, high-fat and sugary foods. Ginger tea may help settle an upset stomach, and staying upright for 30 minutes after eating can help, since lying down can make nausea worse. If nausea keeps coming back, your provider may prescribe an anti-nausea medicine to keep on hand. If you are vomiting, drink fluids, and tell your healthcare provider right away if it doesn't go away (Medication Guide).

### Constipation

The [NIDDK's constipation treatment page](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/constipation/treatment) suggests eating more high-fiber foods, drinking plenty of water and other liquids when you add fiber, and getting regular physical activity. Cleveland Clinic adds a caveat for GLP-1 users: if you already feel bloated or full, a sudden jump in fiber can make that worse. A short walk and a footstool in the bathroom can help, and your provider may suggest a stool softener or laxative for short-term relief. Severe constipation, including fecal impaction, has been reported after approval with GLP-1 medicines (label section 6.2), so call your prescriber if it is severe or doesn't improve.

### Diarrhea

Cleveland Clinic suggests replacing fluids along with electrolytes, choosing soft, bland, low-fiber foods, and limiting caffeine, alcohol and dairy drinks. Your provider may suggest a short-term over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medicine. Diarrhea and vomiting can lead to dehydration, which the label links to kidney problems.

### Indigestion, reflux and belching

Cleveland Clinic notes that big meals on a GLP-1 can bring on reflux. The [NIDDK's reflux eating guide](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults/eating-diet-nutrition) says eating meals at least 3 hours before you lie down may help, and lists common triggers: high-fat and spicy foods, coffee and other caffeine, chocolate, mint, citrus, tomatoes and alcohol. Its [treatment page](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults/treatment) also mentions raising your head during sleep with a foam wedge or extra pillows.

### When side effects don't settle

Cleveland Clinic says a provider may suggest other ways to manage symptoms, a slower pace of dose increases, or a different GLP-1 medicine. The Foundayo label makes each step up after 5.5 mg depend on treatment response and tolerability (section 2.1). Don't change your dose on your own; ask your prescriber.

## What are the serious side effects of Foundayo?

### The boxed warning: thyroid C-cell tumors

Like the Wegovy pill, Foundayo carries a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors. Its wording is different, though. GLP-1 medicines that are active in rats and mice have caused these tumors in rodents. Orforglipron is not active in rats or mice and didn't cause tumors in rodent studies. Because it does act on the human GLP-1 receptor, the label says the relevance of those rodent tumors to people has not been determined.

The practical rules match the Wegovy label's. Don't take Foundayo if you or anyone in your family has had medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), or if you have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). Tell your healthcare provider about a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing or shortness of breath.

### Warnings and precautions (label section 5)

- **Pancreatitis (5.2):** acute pancreatitis has been reported with Foundayo. In the pooled trials it was confirmed in 6 people on Foundayo (0.14 patients per 100 years of exposure) and 1 on placebo (0.04).
- **Severe stomach problems (5.3):** severe digestive side effects were reported in approximately 3% of people on orforglipron in the trials, versus 1% on placebo. Foundayo is not recommended for people with severe gastroparesis.
- **Kidney injury from dehydration (5.4):** reported with GLP-1 medicines and Foundayo, in some cases needing dialysis, mostly in people who became dehydrated from nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. In the pooled trials it occurred in 0.2% of people on Foundayo and 0.05% on placebo.
- **Low blood sugar (5.5):** in Trial 2, in adults with type 2 diabetes, blood sugar below 54 mg/dL was reported in 2% on Foundayo and 0.2% on placebo, and in 7% of people taking Foundayo with a sulfonylurea versus 0.5% of those not taking one. In Trial 1, without diabetes, where low blood sugar wasn't systematically collected, blood sugar below 54 mg/dL was reported in 0.6% on Foundayo and in no one on placebo. Insulin also raises the risk.
- **Allergic reactions (5.6):** serious reactions such as anaphylaxis and angioedema have been reported with GLP-1 medicines. In the pooled trials, allergic reactions occurred in 0.5% of people on Foundayo and 0.3% on placebo.
- **Diabetic eye disease (5.7):** in people with type 2 diabetes, fast improvement in blood sugar has been linked to temporary worsening of diabetic retinopathy.
- **Gallbladder disease (5.8):** gallstones were reported in 1% of people on Foundayo and 0.7% on placebo, and acute gallbladder inflammation in 0.4% and 0.3%. The label links these events to weight reduction.
- **Anesthesia and sedation (5.9):** because Foundayo slows stomach emptying, tell your healthcare providers you take it before any planned surgery or procedure.

### Call your prescriber or get emergency care

The Medication Guide says to **stop Foundayo and call your healthcare provider right away** if you have severe pain in your stomach area that won't go away, with or without nausea or vomiting. The pain may spread to your back.

**Stop Foundayo and get medical help right away** if you have signs of a serious allergic reaction: swelling of your face, lips, tongue or throat, problems breathing or swallowing, severe rash or itching, fainting or feeling dizzy, or a very rapid heartbeat.

**Tell your healthcare provider right away** if you have:

- nausea, vomiting or diarrhea that doesn't go away
- gallbladder symptoms: pain in your upper stomach, fever, yellowing of your skin or eyes, or clay-colored stools

**Tell your healthcare provider** if you have:

- stomach problems that are severe or won't go away
- a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing or shortness of breath
- signs of low blood sugar, such as dizziness, sweating, confusion, shakiness or a fast heartbeat, especially if you take insulin or a sulfonylurea
- changes in vision, if you have type 2 diabetes

If you take too much Foundayo, call your healthcare provider or the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222, or go to the nearest emergency room right away.

## Foundayo vs the Wegovy pill: what the two labels say

Both are once-daily GLP-1 tablets for weight reduction, but their labels give different instructions. This comparison uses the Foundayo label and the [Wegovy prescribing information on DailyMed](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ee06186f-2aa3-4990-a760-757579d8f77b) (Revised: 6/2026), the boxed warning and section 2 of each.

| | Foundayo (orforglipron) | Wegovy pill (semaglutide tablets) |
|---|---|---|
| How to take it | Once daily, with or without food; swallow whole | Once daily, on an empty stomach in the morning, with up to 4 ounces of water and no other liquid; swallow whole |
| Timing around meals and other medicines | The label sets no waiting time | Wait at least 30 minutes before eating, drinking or taking other oral medicines |
| Dose steps | 0.8 mg, then 2.5 mg, then 5.5 mg, at least 30 days on each; after that it may go up one step at a time to 9, 14.5 and 17.2 mg (the maximum), based on response and tolerability | 1.5 mg on days 1 to 30, 4 mg on days 31 to 60, 9 mg on days 61 to 90, then 25 mg |
| A missed dose | Take it as soon as possible; never take two in one day | Skip it and take the next dose the following day |
| Boxed warning | Thyroid C-cell tumors; orforglipron is not active in rodents | Thyroid C-cell tumors; semaglutide causes them in rodents |

The two drugs were studied in different trials, doses and populations, so their side-effect rates can't be ranked against each other; the Foundayo label itself says rates from different drugs' trials cannot be directly compared (section 6.1). Semaglutide's half-life is about one week (Wegovy label, section 12.3), much longer than orforglipron's.

If you take the Wegovy pill, see our [Wegovy pill side effects guide](https://mingo.fit/blog/oral-wegovy-side-effects/). For the side effects GLP-1 medicines share, see the [GLP-1 side effects overview](https://mingo.fit/blog/glp-1-side-effects-what-to-expect-and-how-to-manage/).

## Keeping a side-effect log in Mingo

Mingo, our app, supports Foundayo along with the Wegovy pill, Rybelsus, Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound. You log each daily tablet with its dose and notes, and rate how you feel on 18 built-in symptoms, each on a 0 to 10 slider.

Many of the label's common effects are built in: nausea, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, bloating, heartburn, fatigue and hair loss. Vomiting is not, so add vomiting as your own symptom, along with anything else you want to follow, such as headache or dizziness.

Your weight chart is colored by the dose you were on, with a marker at each new dose, so you can see whether a rough week lines up with a step up.

Reminders help with the missed-dose rule above: Mingo reminds you when a dose is due, can give you a heads-up before, and nudges you 2 hours later if the dose isn't logged. Meals can be logged by photo, voice, text or barcode, with daily protein, fiber and water targets. Meal photos, voice notes and descriptions are sent to Mingo's server to estimate nutrients; the log itself stays on your phone, with no account.

Before an appointment, export a PDF report of your doses, weight, food and side effects for any period, so you and your prescriber can look at the same record. Mingo Pro is required to keep logging new entries after the first ones; reminders and the PDF report stay free.

## Sources

- [Foundayo (orforglipron) tablets: prescribing information and Medication Guide](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=8ac446c5-feba-474f-a103-23facb9b5c62), Eli Lilly and Company, Revised: 7/2026 (DailyMed). Also published by Lilly at [uspl.lilly.com](https://uspl.lilly.com/foundayo/foundayo.html).
- [Drugs@FDA: NDA 220934, Foundayo](https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/index.cfm?event=overview.process&ApplNo=220934), original approval April 1, 2026.
- [Wegovy (semaglutide) injection and tablets: prescribing information](https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=ee06186f-2aa3-4990-a760-757579d8f77b), Novo Nordisk, Revised: 6/2026 (DailyMed).
- Wharton S, et al. [Orforglipron, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist for obesity treatment](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40960239/) (ATTAIN-1, Trial 1 in the label). N Engl J Med. 2025;393(18):1796-1806.
- Horn DB, et al. [Orforglipron, an oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, for the treatment of obesity in people with type 2 diabetes (ATTAIN-2)](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41275875/) (Trial 2 in the label). Lancet. 406(10522):2927-2944.
- Cleveland Clinic. [How to manage the digestive side effects of GLP-1 medications](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-manage-glp-1-side-effects), September 9, 2026.
- NIDDK. [Treatment for constipation](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/constipation/treatment); [Eating, diet and nutrition for GER and GERD](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults/eating-diet-nutrition); [Treatment for GER and GERD](https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults/treatment).

## Frequently asked questions

### Does Foundayo cause hair loss?

It can. Hair loss is on the label's list of common side effects, and the label says it was associated with weight reduction. It was reported more often in women than in men, on Foundayo and on placebo alike. If you notice more shedding than usual, note when it started and mention it to your prescriber.

### Can Foundayo make birth control pills less effective?

It may. Foundayo slows stomach emptying, which can change how medicines taken by mouth are absorbed. The label advises people on birth control pills to switch to a non-oral method, or add a barrier method, for 30 days after starting Foundayo and for 30 days after each dose increase. Hormonal contraceptives that are not taken by mouth should not be affected.

### Does Foundayo raise your heart rate?

Slightly, on average. In the pooled weight-management trials, a fast heart rate (tachycardia) was reported in 3% of people on Foundayo and 0.9% on placebo, and average heart rate rose by 4 to 5 beats per minute, versus 0.5 on placebo. A very rapid heartbeat together with swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing or fainting can be a sign of a serious allergic reaction and needs medical help right away.

### Can Foundayo cause low blood sugar if I don't have diabetes?

It can, although it was rare in the trial of people without diabetes. The label says Foundayo lowers blood glucose and that low blood sugar has been linked to it in adults without type 2 diabetes; the risk may be higher for people who also take insulin or a sulfonylurea. Signs include dizziness, sweating, shakiness, confusion, hunger and a fast heartbeat. Tell your prescriber if you get them.

### Do I need to stop Foundayo before surgery?

Don't stop on your own. Foundayo slows stomach emptying, and there have been rare reports of stomach contents entering the lungs during anesthesia or deep sedation in people taking GLP-1 medicines. The label says there isn't enough data to know whether pausing the drug or changing fasting rules lowers that risk, so tell every healthcare provider involved that you take Foundayo before any planned procedure.

### Will side effects come back each time my Foundayo dose goes up?

They might. The label reports that nausea, vomiting and diarrhea were more common during the dose-escalation period as a whole, but it doesn't give rates for each step. Logging your symptoms around each increase shows your own pattern, which you can bring to your prescriber when deciding on the next step.