Foundayo Dosage Guide: Every Dose from 0.8 mg to 17.2 mg
Dr. Hecham Harb
Consultant Endocrinologist & Medical Director
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Foundayo starts at 0.8 mg once a day for at least 30 days. The prescribing information then sets 2.5 mg and 5.5 mg. The dose may then rise to 9 mg, 14.5 mg and a maximum of 17.2 mg, with at least 30 days at each dose. You swallow the tablet whole once a day, with or without food. Your endocrinologist will review your dose with you at each monthly follow-up.
- The Foundayo prescribing information sets 0.8 mg as the starting dose, taken once a day for at least 30 days before any increase.
- The six doses are 0.8 mg, 2.5 mg, 5.5 mg, 9 mg, 14.5 mg and 17.2 mg once a day, with 17.2 mg being the maximum.
- Foundayo can be taken with or without food, and Eli Lilly’s patient information states that it can be taken at any time of day.
- If you miss a dose, the prescribing information advises taking it as soon as possible and never taking two doses on the same day.
- After 7 or more missed doses in a row, the prescribing information advises restarting the dose steps at a lower dose.
- The prescribing information advises a non-oral or barrier method of contraception for 30 days after starting Foundayo and after each dose increase.
01 How does the Foundayo dose increase?
Foundayo is a once-daily GLP-1 tablet for chronic weight management. Treatment starts at the lowest dose, and the Foundayo prescribing information recommends at least 30 days at each dose before any increase.
Starting low and stepping up gradually gives your body time to adjust to the medication. Digestive side effects such as nausea can be more noticeable after a dose increase, so a gradual increase can make treatment easier to tolerate.
The table below follows the prescribing information. From 5.5 mg, each increase depends on how you respond and how well you tolerate the current dose:
| Dose (once a day) | When it can start |
|---|---|
| 0.8 mg (starting dose) | Day one of treatment |
| 2.5 mg | After at least 30 days on 0.8 mg, as the prescribing information sets |
| 5.5 mg | After at least 30 days on 2.5 mg, as the prescribing information sets |
| 9 mg | After at least 30 days on 5.5 mg, if your endocrinologist advises it |
| 14.5 mg | After at least 30 days on 9 mg, if your endocrinologist advises it |
| 17.2 mg (maximum) | After at least 30 days on 14.5 mg, if your endocrinologist advises it |
The prescribing information sets an increase to 2.5 mg after at least 30 days, and to 5.5 mg after at least another 30 days. The dose is reviewed with your endocrinologist at each monthly follow-up. The 0.8 mg and 2.5 mg doses are steps in the dose escalation, and your maintenance dose is not necessarily the highest one.
02 How should you take Foundayo?
Foundayo is taken by mouth once a day, with or without food. The prescribing information asks you to swallow the tablet whole, without breaking, crushing or chewing it, and to take no more than one tablet in a day.
Eli Lilly’s patient information states that Foundayo can be taken at any time of day. We recommend choosing a time you can keep to each day, as a routine makes a missed dose less likely.
The Emirates Drug Establishment describes Foundayo as taken once daily without food or water intake restrictions. The Wegovy pill is taken differently: in the morning on an empty stomach, with up to half a cup of water. It is followed by a 30-minute wait before food, other drinks and other medications. The morning timing comes from the US prescribing information, and the UK product information sets no time of day.
During Ramadan, we recommend discussing the timing of your daily Foundayo tablet with your endocrinologist before you start fasting.
03 What should you do if you miss a dose of Foundayo?
The prescribing information advises taking a missed dose as soon as possible. Do not take two doses of Foundayo on the same day to make up for it.
If you miss 7 or more doses in a row, the prescribing information advises starting again from a lower dose and stepping up from there, because going straight back to your previous dose can make digestive side effects more likely. Contact your endocrinologist before you take another tablet, so they can advise which dose to restart on.
Endocare’s doctors are always available to support patients with advice, for example on how to restart after a break in treatment.
04 Side effects when the Foundayo dose increases
Most side effects of Foundayo are digestive, and they were reported more often at higher doses in the two 72-week trials described in the prescribing information. The table below shows how often four common side effects were reported at three doses, against a placebo:
| Side effect | Placebo | 5.5 mg | 9 mg | 17.2 mg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | 10% | 26% | 34% | 35% |
| Constipation | 9% | 20% | 27% | 24% |
| Diarrhoea | 11% | 21% | 23% | 25% |
| Vomiting | 4% | 13% | 21% | 24% |
These figures are pooled from the trials in the prescribing information, so your own experience may differ. Side effects such as nausea or constipation can be particularly pronounced in the first few days at a new dose. They often improve as your body adjusts, although some symptoms last longer. Not every patient experiences them.
If you experience nausea or constipation, your endocrinologist can adjust the pace of dose increases and, where needed, prescribe medication to help manage these side effects. Our page on Foundayo side effects explains each side effect and the rarer risks.
05 Foundayo and the contraceptive pill
Foundayo may make oral contraceptive pills less effective. The prescribing information advises switching to a non-oral method, or adding a barrier method, for 30 days after you start Foundayo and for 30 days after each dose increase.
Foundayo should not be used during pregnancy because it may harm an unborn baby. Breastfeeding is also not recommended while taking Foundayo. Please tell your endocrinologist if you are planning a pregnancy.
06 Medications that can change your Foundayo dose
Some medications change how much Foundayo reaches the bloodstream. The prescribing information limits the dose to 9 mg a day for patients who also take a strong CYP3A4 inhibitor, a group that includes some antifungal and antibiotic medications, and advises avoiding medications that strongly speed up its breakdown.
Foundayo also slows stomach emptying, which can affect how other tablets are absorbed. If you take insulin or a sulfonylurea for diabetes, your endocrinologist may lower that dose when you start Foundayo, because the combination can increase the risk of low blood sugar.
Please tell your endocrinologist about every medication and supplement you take before you start Foundayo, and before you start anything new during treatment.
07 How should you store Foundayo?
The prescribing information advises storing Foundayo at room temperature, between 20°C and 25°C, with short periods between 15°C and 30°C permitted. We recommend keeping the tablets indoors and away from direct heat, because outdoor temperatures in the UAE summer can exceed this range.
08 How Endocare manages your Foundayo dose
Endocare’s endocrinologists see patients at our Dubai clinic in Dubai Healthcare City. At each monthly follow-up, your endocrinologist will review your weight, any side effects and your body composition analysis, and will agree any change in dose with you.
Monthly follow-up appointments can be held in person at the clinic or online. We recommend the first consultation in person, as it includes a physical examination and body composition analysis. Endocare’s lifestyle coaches will adjust your nutrition plan alongside each dose step, as part of our medical weight loss programme. Weight management medications work best when combined with a lifestyle programme, as the US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases notes.
Our Abu Dhabi clinic in Al Bateen offers the same weight loss services, and our pages on Foundayo in Dubai and Foundayo in Abu Dhabi explain how to start in each city. Patients should not decide by themselves to start a GLP-1 medication. A doctor’s review is critical to ensure the treatment is safe and appropriate for the individual.
09 FAQ
What is the starting dose of Foundayo?
The usual starting dose is 0.8 mg once a day, as set out in the prescribing information, and your endocrinologist will confirm the starting dose with you. The prescribing information recommends at least 30 days on 0.8 mg before the first increase, to 2.5 mg.
What is the best time of day to take Foundayo?
There is no single best time. Foundayo can be taken at any time of day, with or without food, so the best time is one you can keep to every day.
Do you take Foundayo on an empty stomach?
No. Foundayo does not need an empty stomach, and you can eat or drink straight after taking it. This is one practical difference from the Wegovy pill.
Can Foundayo be taken every other day?
No. Foundayo is approved as a once-daily tablet, and the doses in the prescribing information are all daily doses. If you are finding a dose difficult to tolerate, your endocrinologist can review the dose with you.
Can I increase my Foundayo dose sooner than 30 days?
No. The prescribing information sets at least 30 days at each dose before an increase. A faster increase can make digestive side effects more likely, and your endocrinologist may keep you at a dose for longer than 30 days.
Does the price of Foundayo change with the dose?
Yes. The price you pay depends on the dose your endocrinologist prescribes. Our Foundayo price page lists the price of each dose.
How long does Foundayo take to work?
It varies between patients. Some patients start to see weight changes from around week two, while others take longer to respond. Early weight loss also does not necessarily continue at the same rate. Our guide to your first month on Foundayo describes what to expect at the starting dose.
If you are considering Foundayo, or you would like your current dose reviewed, the next step is a weight loss consultation. At our Dubai clinic, your endocrinologist will assess whether Foundayo is appropriate for you and plan your dose steps with you.
Our Dubai clinic is located in Building 27, Block B, Unit 504 B, Dubai Healthcare City. Opening hours are Sunday 10:00-20:00, Monday 08:30-18:30, and Tuesday to Thursday 10:00-20:00. The clinic is closed on Fridays. You can call the Dubai clinic on +971 4 285 3885, call our Abu Dhabi clinic on +971 2 582 6178, or send us a message on WhatsApp.
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