A large phase 3 study tested the daily pill orforglipron in adults with type 2 diabetes.
Participants lost up to eight percent of their body weight within one year.
Patients taking oral semaglutide lost about five percent.
The drug activates GLP-1 receptors to lower blood sugar and reduce appetite.
Patients can take it at any time of day without fasting.
Researchers studied more than 1,500 people in multiple countries.
Orforglipron improved glucose control more than the comparator treatment.
More patients stopped the new therapy because of stomach-related side effects.
About one in ten discontinued treatment.
Regulators still review the medication in major markets.
Experts expect easy-to-use tablets to widen access to obesity and diabetes care.
They also call for long-term safety data before routine use.
