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Foundayo (orforglipron) dosage chart

Foundayo starts at 0.8 mg once daily, then increases to 2.5 mg and 5.5 mg. Each increase follows at least 30 days at the current dose. Further increases are optional, based on response and how well the dose is tolerated. The maximum is 17.2 mg daily.

Source for this answer

Source: Read from the Foundayo label, 2026-08-13

Source: Read from the Foundayo label, 2026-08-13

Medically reviewed by Jennifer Montecillo, MD · non-practicing medical reviewerReviewed 2026-08-13Sources

Foundayo daily dose schedule

The label requires the first two increases. After 5.5 mg, further increases depend on response and side effects; reaching the highest dose is not required.

Foundayo once-daily doses. Days shown are the earliest each step can begin, derived from the label’s minimum 30-day intervals.
Earliest startDaily doseLabel instruction
Day 10.8 mgStarting dose
Day 312.5 mgIncrease after at least 30 days at the prior dose
Day 615.5 mgIncrease after at least 30 days at the prior dose
Day 919 mgOptional increase
Day 12114.5 mgOptional increase
Day 15117.2 mgOptional increase; maximum dose

The label gives minimum intervals, not calendar dates. Day 151 is the earliest the 17.2 mg dose could begin if every prior step lasts 30 days. The maximum is not a target dose for everyone, and the label does not name one maintenance dose.

Schedule at a glance

What matters first

Starting dose
0.8 mg once daily
Before an increase
At least 30 days at the current dose
Further increases
Optional after 5.5 mg

How to take a Foundayo tablet

The label allows Foundayo with or without food. It does not require an empty stomach or a wait before eating.

  • Take one tablet once daily, with or without food.
  • Swallow the tablet whole. Do not break, crush or chew it.
  • Do not take more than one tablet per day.
  • The label uses a starting dose and gradual increases to reduce stomach and bowel side effects.
Read the tablet instructions from the label

“Take FOUNDAYO orally once daily, with or without food.”

“Swallow tablets whole. Do not break, crush, or chew.”

“Do not take more than one tablet per day.”

“Follow the FOUNDAYO starting dosage and escalation described below to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) adverse reactions.”

Semaglutide tablets have different food and water rules. The Wegovy, Rybelsus and Ozempic tablet guide explains their morning routine.

If a Foundayo dose is missed

For a missed dose, the label says to take it as soon as possible. Do not double the next dose or take more than one tablet per day.

After 7 or more consecutive doses are missed, the label calls for restarting at a lower dose to reduce stomach and bowel side effects. It does not name a restart amount. Ask the prescriber to confirm the restart dose.

Read the missed-dose instructions from the label

“If a dose is missed, instruct patients to take the dose as soon as possible.”

“Advise patients not to double up the next dose.”

“If 7 or more consecutive doses are missed, reinitiate dosage escalation at a lower dosage to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal adverse reactions.”

How other medicines change the dose limit

Some medicines must be avoided with Foundayo; others lower its dose limit or require checks on how well it works. These are separate label rules.

CYP3A4 is an enzyme involved in medicine breakdown. Inhibitors slow its activity; inducers increase it. OATP1B helps transport medicines. A prescriber or pharmacist can check which rule applies to a medicine.

  • Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors that also inhibit OATP1B: the label says to avoid this combination.
  • Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors: the Foundayo maximum is 9 mg once daily. The two strengths above that limit, 14.5 and 17.2 mg, exceed this cap.
  • Strong CYP3A4 inducers: the label says to avoid this combination.
  • Moderate CYP3A4 inducers: the label calls for checking Foundayo effectiveness and increasing its dose as needed, within the dose schedule.
Read the four interaction rules from the label

“Avoid strong CYP3A4 inhibitors that also inhibit OATP1B when taking FOUNDAYO.”

“The maximum dosage of FOUNDAYO is 9 mg once daily when used concomitantly with a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor.”

“Avoid strong CYP3A4 inducers when taking FOUNDAYO.”

“Monitor FOUNDAYO effectiveness when concomitantly using moderate CYP3A4 inducers and escalate FOUNDAYO dosage as needed.”

Thyroid warning and who must not take Foundayo

The label says not to use Foundayo with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), or with multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).

The boxed warning concerns thyroid C-cell tumors. The risk to humans remains uncertain. The label also rules out use after a known serious allergic reaction to orforglipron or another Foundayo ingredient.

Read the full boxed-warning statements

“In products with glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist activity that are pharmacologically active in rats and mice, rodent thyroid C-cell tumors (adenomas and carcinomas) have been observed at clinically relevant exposures and are considered GLP-1 receptor-dependent effects in rodents.”

“Orforglipron is not pharmacologically active in rats or mice and did not produce tumors in rodents.”

“While orforglipron is pharmacologically active at the human GLP-1 receptor, the human relevance of GLP-1 receptor-dependent thyroid C-cell tumors observed in rodents has not been determined.”

“FOUNDAYO is contraindicated in patients with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) or in patients with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2).”

“Routine monitoring of serum calcitonin or using thyroid ultrasound is of uncertain value for early detection of MTC in patients treated with FOUNDAYO.”

The value of routine calcitonin blood tests or thyroid ultrasound for early detection is uncertain, according to the label. That statement is not a blanket rule against testing.

Taking Foundayo with another GLP-1 drug is not recommended.

“Concomitant use with another GLP-1 receptor agonist is not recommended.”

This dose guide does not cover every warning. Read the Foundayo side-effects guide for the other risks and warning signs.

Side effects reported in the trials

3,155 adults received the drug for up to 72 weeks in two placebo-controlled trials. The label reports three dose groups, alongside placebo.

The trials used a study formulation. The label presents those results as equivalent Foundayo doses: 5.5, 9 and 17.2 mg daily. It does not give separate rates here for 0.8, 2.5 or 14.5 mg.

Foundayo label Table 1: reactions reported more often than placebo and in at least 5% of treated patients. Each cell is the percentage in that group.
ReactionPlacebo5.5 mg9 mg17.2 mg
Nausea10%26%34%35%
Constipation9%20%27%24%
Diarrhea11%21%23%25%
Vomiting4%13%21%24%
Dyspepsia4%12%16%13%
Abdominal pain

Includes related terms.

7%13%14%14%
Headache7%8%9%9%
Abdominal distension3%7%9%8%
Fatigue

Includes related terms.

4%6%7%9%
Eructation1%6%8%8%
Gastroesophageal reflux disease2%6%6%7%
Flatulence2%5%6%6%
Hair loss

Includes related terms.

2%4%4%5%

Overall, 8% of treated patients stopped because of side effects, compared with 3% on placebo. At 5.5, 9 and 17.2 mg, the rates were 6%, 9% and 10%. Stomach and bowel reactions led 5% of treated patients to stop.

These are results from the trials, not a forecast of one person’s risk. A difference between columns does not, by itself, explain what caused a symptom.

Storage and the August label change

The July 2026 label revision keeps the room-temperature storage rule. It removes the earlier instruction to protect tablets from light in their original bottle and carton.

“Store FOUNDAYO at room temperature 20°C to 25°C (68°F to 77°F); excursions permitted between 15°C and 30°C (59°F and 86°F).”
Compare the dated label versions

FDA lists a labeling supplement approved 2026-08-04. The April revision included this instruction, which is absent from the July revision:

April label: “FOUNDAYO is light sensitive. Protect from light by keeping in the original bottle and carton and replacing the cap each time after opening. If the carton is no longer available, store bottle away from light.”

The documents do not explain why the instruction changed. Its removal does not establish whether the tablets are light sensitive.

Our 2026-08-13 record showed DailyMed version 5, published 2026-04-03. On 2026-09-06, it showed version 10, published 2026-08-13, with the 07/2026 revision. These are dated observations.

Foundayo approval and tablet strengths

Foundayo is the brand name for orforglipron. It is an oral GLP-1 drug approved for weight management in eligible adults.

  • FDA approval: NDA 220934, 2026-04-01.
  • The label lists 0.8, 2.5, 5.5, 9, 14.5 and 17.2 mg, supplied in bottles of 30 tablets. A listing in FDA’s drug code directory does not confirm stock at a pharmacy.
  • The approval covers adults with obesity, or overweight with at least one weight-related health condition, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased activity.

For differences in daily routines and product forms, read GLP-1 pills versus injections.

What this chart cannot tell you

  • The chart reports the label schedule. A prescriber decides whether a dose suits a person and whether further increases are needed after 5.5 mg.
  • The reaction table covers three dose groups. It does not provide rates for every tablet strength or predict one person’s side effects.
  • The dose chart does not compare how much weight people lose on different drugs. That requires the trial results and their limits.
  • The milligram amounts are specific to Foundayo. Its label provides no dose conversion to semaglutide or tirzepatide.

For published prices and offer terms, read the Foundayo cost guide. For insurance and prior authorization, read how drug coverage works.

6primary sources, each with the day we read it — open the documents used on this page