A new oral drug may improve weight management for people with type 2 diabetes.
Researchers tested orforglipron against oral semaglutide in a year-long phase 3 trial.
Orforglipron activates GLP-1 receptors to lower blood sugar and reduce appetite.
Patients can take the pill at any time of day.
Current semaglutide tablets require fasting before use.
More than 1,500 adults joined the international study.
Participants took different doses of either treatment for twelve months.
Those using orforglipron lost up to eight percent of their body weight.
Semaglutide users lost about five percent.
Orforglipron also produced stronger reductions in average glucose levels.
However, more patients stopped treatment because of stomach-related side effects.
Regulators have not yet approved the new drug.
Experts believe effective tablets could widen access to GLP-1 therapies.
They expect simpler storage, easier use, and lower costs.
Researchers still need long-term data on safety and cardiovascular benefits.
Specialists predict these medicines could become first-line diabetes treatments within a decade.
