In a significant development for weight management, a new daily oral medication has demonstrated the ability to help people lose approximately 10% of their body weight over 18 months, according to research published in November 2025.
Breakthrough in Obesity Treatment
The study, published in The Lancet medical journal, tested a novel drug called orforglipron developed by pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly. This represents a major step forward in making effective weight loss treatments more accessible and convenient for millions struggling with obesity worldwide, including Nigeria's growing population facing weight-related health challenges.
More than 1,500 adults across 10 countries participated in the clinical trial, all of whom had both obesity and type 2 diabetes. Participants took the pill daily while also receiving standard advice about maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise routine.
Impressive Results Without Injections
The findings revealed that participants taking the highest dose of 36 milligrams lost around 10% of their body weight after 72 weeks. This contrasts sharply with the control group taking a placebo, who lost only about 2% of their body weight during the same period.
These results align with earlier research published in 2025 that found people with obesity but without diabetes lost approximately 12% of their body weight while using the same medication.
Dr. Deborah Horn of UTHealth Houston, the study's lead author, described the results as "exciting" and noted that "on average, participants lost 23 pounds (10 kilograms)."
Comparing Treatment Options
While the weight loss achieved with the daily pill is substantial, it remains below the 22% body weight reduction seen with weekly injectable treatments like Mounjaro, which is also produced by Eli Lilly.
The new oral medication belongs to the same class of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists, which includes popular brands like Ozempic and Mounjaro. These medications work by suppressing appetite and have revolutionized weight management in recent years.
However, current GLP-1 treatments require regular injections, refrigeration, and can be prohibitively expensive, costing over $1,000 per month in the United States.
Side Effects and Accessibility
The side effects observed during the trial mirrored those already known for injectable GLP-1 drugs, including nausea, vomiting, constipation, and diarrhea, particularly at higher doses.
If approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, orforglipron is scheduled to be available in 2026 at what Dr. Horn described as a "significantly decreased cost compared to current injectables."
This development comes at a crucial time, as the World Health Organization reports that more than 3.7 million people died from obesity-related illnesses globally in 2021—more than the combined deaths from malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV.
Originally developed for diabetes treatment, GLP-1 drugs are now showing potential benefits for an expanding range of health problems, including heart disease, sleep apnea, and even addiction.
