Eli Lilly's new pill shows similar results to popular weight-loss drugs
A new experimental anti-diabetes pill, orforglipron, appears to be just as good as popular injectable GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, according to new data from a Phase 3 trial.The study, part of a large clinical trial called ACHIEVE-1, looked at how well this once-daily pill worked in people with type 2 diabetes who were not able to control their blood sugar with diet and exercise alone.advertisementUnlike most diabetes medications in the GLP-1 class, which are usually given as injections, orforglipron is an oral pill that can be taken without any food or water restrictions.
It belongs to a group of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help control blood sugar levels and may also help with weight loss.After 40 weeks, people who took orforglipron saw a significant drop in their HbA1c levels. HbA1c is a blood test that shows the average blood sugar level over the past 2–3 months.For most patients, their HbA1c dropped by 1.3% to 1.6%, which is a meaningful improvement. Many participants also achieved target blood sugar levels recommended by doctors.One of the additional benefits of orforglipron was weight loss. People on higher doses lost around 7.3 kg on average, a bonus for many with type 2 diabetes who struggle with weight management.advertisementThe most common side effects were related to the stomach, such as nausea, diarrhea, and constipation, but these were mostly mild and occurred early in treatment.The pill had a safety profile similar to existing GLP-1 injectable medications.US medicine company Eli Lilly, who has developed the drug, says it will continue testing orforglipron in more people and hopes to submit it for approval as a treatment for diabetes and weight management in the coming years.If approved, it could offer a convenient and effective option for people who prefer pills over injections in managing type 2 diabetes.
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Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Eli Lilly's new oral weight loss pill works as well as injectables: Why this could be better than oral semaglutide?
The blockbuster weight loss drug, semaglutide, now has competition in orforglipron, which is just as safe as injectable alternatives and more effectively lowers HbA1c (average blood sugar count of three months) in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity. The best part. No injections required — just a daily pill. The investigational once-daily pill by US manufacturer Eli Lilly lowered HbA1C by an average of 1.3% to 1.6% across doses, with improvements seen as early as four weeks, in adults with type 2 diabetes, according to Phase 3 results of the ACHIEVE-1 trials, published in The New England Journal of Medicine. Orforglipron also led to an average weight loss of 16.0 lbs or 7.3 kg (7.9%) at the highest dose by week 40. 'The efficacy, safety, and tolerability are really consistent with the very best injectable GLP-1s,' Kenneth Custer, president of cardiometabolic health at Eli Lilly, was quoted as saying. Why is orforglipron effective? Orforglipron and semaglutide are both GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic the effects of the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar, reduce appetite and slow down gastric emptying. But while orforglipron is non-peptide, semaglutide is a peptide. Peptides are smaller than proteins, while non-peptides encompass a wider range of chemical compounds with diverse structures and functions. 'Orforglipron, being a non-peptide, is a smaller molecule. This allows better absorption of the drug through the gut. They don't get broken down as easily by digestive enzymes. Hence the efficacy,' says Dr Anoop Misra, chairman, diabetes and endocrinology, Fortis C-Doc. What are the advantages of orforglipron over semaglutide? Orforglipron is an oral pill taken once daily, while semaglutide is available as both an oral tablet (Rybelsus) and a subcutaneous injection (Ozempic, Wegovy). 'Previous oral GLP-1s like semaglutide (Rybelsus) are peptide-based and have significant limitations — they must be taken on an empty stomach with minimal water and have much lower bioavailability than injectable form. Orforglipron is a small molecule that doesn't require food or water restrictions, so it is very convenient and is absorbed easily,' says Dr Misra. What about the trial results? At 40 weeks, all three doses (3 mg, 12 mg, 36 mg) of orforglipron achieved the primary goal of superior HbA1C reduction. Improvements in HbA1C were observed as early as four weeks and were accompanied by similar reductions in fasting serum glucose. 'The early onset of glycemic improvement, observed as soon as four weeks, reinforces the therapeutic potential of orforglipron as an effective, oral GLP-1 therapy for early type 2 diabetes treatment. These findings support further investigation in broader populations and longer-duration studies,' said Dr Julio Rosenstock, senior scientific advisor for Velocity Clinical Research at Medical City Dallas, clinical professor of medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, and lead trial investigator. What about side effects? In the study, orforglipron had a safety profile similar to the established GLP-1 class of medication. The most frequently reported adverse events were gastrointestinal-related.
India Today
4 hours ago
- India Today
Eli Lilly's new pill shows similar results to popular weight-loss drugs
A new experimental anti-diabetes pill, orforglipron, appears to be just as good as popular injectable GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, according to new data from a Phase 3 study, part of a large clinical trial called ACHIEVE-1, looked at how well this once-daily pill worked in people with type 2 diabetes who were not able to control their blood sugar with diet and exercise most diabetes medications in the GLP-1 class, which are usually given as injections, orforglipron is an oral pill that can be taken without any food or water restrictions. It belongs to a group of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help control blood sugar levels and may also help with weight 40 weeks, people who took orforglipron saw a significant drop in their HbA1c levels. HbA1c is a blood test that shows the average blood sugar level over the past 2–3 most patients, their HbA1c dropped by 1.3% to 1.6%, which is a meaningful improvement. Many participants also achieved target blood sugar levels recommended by of the additional benefits of orforglipron was weight loss. People on higher doses lost around 7.3 kg on average, a bonus for many with type 2 diabetes who struggle with weight most common side effects were related to the stomach, such as nausea, diarrhea, and constipation, but these were mostly mild and occurred early in pill had a safety profile similar to existing GLP-1 injectable medicine company Eli Lilly, who has developed the drug, says it will continue testing orforglipron in more people and hopes to submit it for approval as a treatment for diabetes and weight management in the coming approved, it could offer a convenient and effective option for people who prefer pills over injections in managing type 2 diabetes.
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Is Samantha Ruth Prabhu's 'meal sequencing' hack the real deal for blood sugar? Expert breaks it down
When actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu revealed how rearranging her meals stabilized her blood sugar, fans began calling it a 'game‑changer.' But is this trending 'meal sequencing' diet hack truly effective—or just another wellness fad? Upon discovering erratic glucose spikes despite clean eating, Samantha turned detective with her tracking device. She noticed that eating her plate in a specific order—vegetables first, protein next, carbs last—helped smooth out her readings. Experts dubbed this method 'food sequencing,' and suddenly, it was trending among health circles. The Science Behind the Sequence The concept isn't new. UCLA Health explains that consuming fibrous vegetables and protein before refined carbs can slow carbohydrate absorption and prevent sharp insulin surges. Particularly for those with Type 2 diabetes, research supports the stability this approach provides. — BrainMDHealth (@BrainMDHealth) Control Sugar, Control Disease Refined carbs like white rice and sugary snacks trigger fast blood sugar spikes. Immune‑boosting whole foods—think beans, legumes, leafy greens—release energy gradually and blunt glucose surges. A 2022 study cited by Nadeau even linked eating veggies first to improved HbA1C levels in diabetes patients over five years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AC Installation & Repair from Certified Pros Search7 Learn More The order of eating also influences fullness. Protein-first meals boost GLP‑1, a satiety hormone, delaying stomach emptying. Fiber further enhances this effect, reducing overeating. As registered dietitian Jamie Nadeau notes, natural anti‑inflammatory foods help manage chronic low‑grade inflammation that often accompanies poor diets. Expert's Verdict: Effective—but Not a Silver Bullet Acoording toa report from USA Today, dietitian Jamie Nadeau cautions against overselling the hack. 'Generally there isn't enough research to support this being a solid strategy,' she tells us. While meal sequencing may aid blood sugar control , it doesn't replace holistic diet and lifestyle habits. 'No quick fixes,' she reminds readers, especially those hoping for a shortcut to 'nature's Ozempic.' You Might Also Like: Samantha Ruth Prabhu shares one simple trick that fixed her spikes in blood sugar levels UCLA Health supports this view, adding that while meal timing can help, the strongest health gains still come from balanced eating, activity, and mindful nutrition. Should You Try It? If pairing your fork and knife in a veggie‑first order sounds manageable, go ahead. But experts stress that this technique is a small piece of a much larger wellness puzzle. The core pillars remain consistent: whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and lifestyle balance. So next time you fill your plate, consider this question: Could a little shift in comfort food order help you age better, feel fuller, and keep blood sugar in check? Maybe so—but only when it joins forces with a well-rounded diet and healthy habits. You Might Also Like: Want to live longer? Forget expensive experiments; longevity doctor reveals simple secrets to a healthier, happier life
