Who can use Foundayo in the UK?

Two uses with separate criteria

For weight management, the UK licence covers a starting BMI of at least 30 kg/m², or at least 27 but below 30 with a weight-related condition. Examples listed include hypertension, dyslipidaemia, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnoea and cardiovascular disease.

The separate diabetes licence covers adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes, alongside diet and exercise. The weight-management BMI rule does not apply to the diabetes licence. Use under 18 has not been shown to be safe and effective.

Suitability goes beyond weight

A full review covers digestive disease, past pancreatitis, diabetic eye disease, blood-pressure treatment and all your other medicines, prescribed or bought. Foundayo has clinically relevant interactions with some antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals and enzyme-inducing medicines. A short questionnaire is no safe substitute for an accurate medicine history.

The UK label does not recommend Foundayo in severe liver impairment or NYHA class IV heart failure. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are further reasons to discuss alternatives. If you use oral contraception, you need extra precautions when you start and when your dose goes up.

Why honest answers help you

Explain why past treatments changed, along with the names of medicines you tried. Stopping for cost differs from stopping because of severe vomiting, an allergic reaction or confirmed pancreatitis. Give the dates of recent doses and any gaps in treatment.

Tell the prescriber about past eating disorders, large unplanned weight loss, trouble getting enough food, alcohol use and any symptoms not yet investigated. These details decide what support or tests you need. Do not leave them out to get through an online form.

Eligibility and NHS funding are separate

A licensed use describes who may be prescribed a treatment. NHS recommendations and local pathways can be narrower and change over time. Private providers have their own clinical policies too, separate from the national licence.

If a provider says no, ask for the clinical reason and the next step. This might be another treatment, a GP assessment, specialist input or more information. Giving different answers to several providers creates avoidable risk and breaks up your care.

A safe assessment also checks what follow-up you can realistically get. If advice is hard to reach, the instructions are hard to follow or monitoring is hard to attend, ask for extra support. Your care plan should cover these needs. They are no personal failing and no excuse to prescribe without a proper plan.

Questions for your appointment

Ask the clinician to name the licensed use, the relevant interactions and the monitoring plan. If a provider quotes a BMI rule for diabetes treatment, ask whether the rule comes from the licence, an NHS funding requirement or the provider's own policy.