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Health

Daily pill could replace weight-loss shots like Ozempic and Wegovy

A daily pill developed by the US pharmaceutical company Lilly may become a convenient alternative to injectable drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. In phase III trials it significantly lowered blood sugar and body weight in people with type 2 diabetes

By Grace Wade

21 April 2025

Can weight-loss drugs ditch the needles?

Aleksandr Zubkov/Getty Images

A daily pill appears to lower blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes as effectively as injectable drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro. The medication, called orforglipron, also led to substantial weight loss in clinical trials, meaning it could become a convenient alternative to popular weight-loss drugs.

Drugs mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which regulates appetite and blood sugar, have exploded in popularity. Known as GLP-1 agonists, these medications can treat obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. One downside is that nearly…

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