Your guide to Foundayo's side effects

Key takeaways

• The most common side effects are digestive symptoms like nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea, which typically appear early in treatment or after a dose increase and often go away on their own as your body adjusts.
• Foundayo has a boxed warning for a risk of thyroid cancer. People who have had or have a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) should not take Foundayo. 

Overview

Foundayo is a new glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) that comes in pill form. It’s used to help with weight loss in adults with obesity or adults with overweight and at least one other weight-related condition.

Like any medication, Foundayo can have some side effects that may be mild or serious. Most of these side effects are manageable and go away with time.

Note: Foundayo has a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cancer. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Learn more about Foundayo, including details on its uses and dosage.

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More common side effects of Foundayo

Like most GLP-1s, the most common side effects of Foundayo are generally those that affect your digestive system, such as:

• nausea and vomiting
• constipation
• diarrhea
• indigestion
• abdominal pain
• abdominal swelling
• burping
• gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• gas

These side effects are more common in the first weeks of GLP-1 treatment and when you start taking a higher dose as your body adjusts to the medication. They typically go away on their own with time as your body gets used to the drug.

According to Foundayo’s  prescribing information, some other common side effects include:

• hair loss
• headache
• fatigue (low energy)

Serious side effects of Foundayo

Serious side effects of Foundayo are rare, but they are possible. Some serious side effects reported with Foundayo include:

• hypoglycemia (severe low blood sugar)
• serious digestive side effects
• acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
• acute kidney injury due to dehydration
• changes in your vision
• acute gallbladder disease
• pulmonary aspiration while undergoing surgery
• allergic reaction

Talk with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience serious side effects while taking Foundayo. If you experience side effects that feel life threatening, call 911 or your local emergency number right away.

Allergic reaction

For some people, Foundayo may cause an allergic reaction, which may be mild or serious.

If you have mild symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may suggest a treatment to manage your symptoms and can determine whether you should keep taking Foundayo.

If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to Foundayo, they may have you switch to a different treatment.

Does Foundayo have a boxed warning?

Foundayo has a boxed warning for a risk of thyroid cancer.

Other GLP-1s have been found to cause thyroid tumors in animal studies, but it’s unknown if they cause them in humans. Orforglipron (the active ingredient in Foundayo) doesn’t work in rats or mice, so it’s not known if it may cause thyroid tumors in rodents or humans. However, the FDA has still issued a warning due to the risks associated with other GLP-1s.

People who have had or have a family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2) should not take Foundayo.

If you have any concerns about this risk, reach out to your doctor.

Does Foundayo cause long-term side effects?

It’s possible for Foundayo to cause long-term side effects, which may be side effects that last a long time or that develop after long-term use of Foundayo. Some long-term side effects of Foundayo that may start during treatment include:

• pancreatitis
• risk of thyroid cancer
• gallstones or swelling of the gallbladder
• diabetic retinopathy (damage to blood vessels in the eye)

However, it’s important to note that your doctor will typically weigh up the risks of treatment with the potential benefits. It’s usually more beneficial to manage your health condition than to leave it untreated, and your doctor will monitor you throughout treatment for signs of serious or long-term health effects.

Talk with your doctor if you have concerns about possible long-term side effects from using Foundayo.

Managing Foundayo’s side effects

Foundayo’s side effects are usually mild and go away on their own with time. However, they can still be unpleasant and affect your life. Let’s take a look at some strategies you can take to manage the most common side effects of Foundayo.

Gastrointestinal side effects

In studies of Foundayo, gastrointestinal side effects were commonly reported, but they typically go away on their own as your body gets used to the medication. They tend to appear early in treatment or shortly after a dose increase. You might experience:

• nausea and vomiting
• diarrhea
• abdominal pain

Talk with your doctor about nausea that doesn’t reduce or becomes bothersome. You can also try some things that might help you avoid feeling sick with Foundayo, such as:

• drinking small sips of ice-cold drinks
• avoiding greasy, fatty foods
• eating bland foods, such as crackers, rice, applesauce, or bananas
• avoiding physical activity after eating

To avoid dehydration from vomiting, drink plenty of water, juices, sports drinks, or broth, and avoid caffeine and alcohol.

Did you know? Gastrointestinal side effects are among the most common reasons why people stop taking GLP-1s.

Hair loss

In clinical studies, some people reported hair loss while taking Foundayo. This was linked to losing weight rather than the Foundayo itself, as rapid or extreme weight loss may cause temporary hair loss.

Generally, your body adjusts within a few months, and hair production restarts. However, you can manage hair loss by focusing on nutrition. A balanced diet that provides essential micronutrients and macronutrients may help reduce hair loss linked with Foundayo treatment.

Are there any warnings with Foundayo?

If you have certain health conditions, Foundayo may not be right for you. Talk with your doctor if any of the following conditions apply to you:

• family or personal history of MTC or MEN 2
• previous allergic reaction to the medication
• pancreas problems
• kidney problems
• severe liver problems
• severe stomach problems like delayed stomach emptying or issues digesting food
• diabetic retinopathy or macular edema
• gallbladder problems
• planned surgery

It’s also not known if Foundayo is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If this is the case for you, speak with your doctor before taking Foundayo.

Online care for Foundayo

If a doctor has prescribed a GLP-1, it’s important to take the medication as directed for as long as your doctor recommends. However, some people might face barriers to accessing these drugs, including high costs and access to healthcare appointments.

Online care may make getting treatment easier. With Optum Perks Online Care, for example, you can get a refill of a weight loss prescription or get help with an existing prescription.

With this service, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your condition, and a licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after — without the need to make an in-person appointment.

Summary

Foundayo may cause some side effects. Some of the most common are digestive side effects like nausea and vomiting. These are very common early in GLP-1 treatment as your body adjusts to the medication. They usually go away on their own with time.

Foundayo may cause some serious or long-term effects. If you have any concerns about the side effects of Foundayo, speak with your doctor.

Learn more about oral vs. injectable GLP-1s.

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Disclaimer: While Optum Perks strives for factual, comprehensive, and current information, this article is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional’s expertise. Always consult a doctor before taking or discontinuing any medication. Drug information is subject to change and may not cover all uses, directions, precautions, warnings, interactions, reactions, or adverse effects. The lack of a warning does not guarantee a drug’s safety, effectiveness, or appropriateness for all patients or specific uses.