Does Orforglipron work as well as injections?

While the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medication called orforglipron is hoping to join a growing list of GLP-1s like Wegovy, Ozempic, and Victoza, it has one major difference. While these other meds have to be injected, orforglipron is a once daily pill that can be taken with any amount of water, any time of the day, and with or without food. And according to data from clinical trials, this Eli Lilly drug may be as effective for weight loss and blood sugar control as injections like Wegovy and Ozempic.

In one clinical trial, people taking orforglipron lost up to 14.7% of their body weight at 36 weeks. In comparison, studies show that adults taking Wegovy (semaglutide) can lose an average of around 15% of their body weight. And about 1 in 3 adults may achieve a weight loss of 20% or more while using this medication. In clinical trials with Zepbound (tirzepatide), people who were considered overweight or obese lost 15% to 21% of their starting body weight, depending on the dose. People in two other clinical trials saw continued weight loss with longer use, losing an average of 25% of their starting body weight.

In one study using Ozempic (semaglutide) for type 2 diabetes, participants lost around 6-10% of their initial body weight over 68 weeks.When compared to other injectables for blood sugar control, orforglipron was similarly effective as well. In one trial, orforglipron lowered A1C levels by an average of 1.3% to 1.6% from a baseline of 8.0% at 40 weeks. In clinical trials with Ozempic, it typically lowered A1C by about 1.5% to 1.8%. With Mounjaro (tirzepatide), the highest dose (15 mg) reduced A1C by to 2.46%, while the lowest dose (5 mg) reduced it by 2.09%. For Victoza, taking 1.8 mg either alone or in combination with other medications, lowered A1C levels from 1.0% to 1.5%.

With the ease of taking a pill and not having to worry about storing it in the fridge, this could provide an exciting new option for people with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Sources

• Tirzepatide demonstrated significant and superior weight loss compared to placebo in two pivotal studies. Eli Lilly. Accessed June 7, 2025.
• Tirzepatide achieved superior A1C and body weight reductions across all three doses compared to injectable semaglutide in adults with type 2 diabetes. Eli Lilly. Accessed June 7, 2025.
• Ozempic (semaglutide) [Package Insert]. Revised 1/2025. Novo Nordisk. Plainsboro, NJ. Accessed June 7, 2025.
• Wegovy (semaglutide) prescribing information. Revised 11/2024. Novo Nordisk. Plainsboro, NJ. Accessed June 7, 2025.
  Novo Nordisk’s Victoza® Receives FDA Approval for Adults With Type 2 Diabetes. Eli Lilly. Accessed June 7, 2025.