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Type 2 DiabetesSeptember 2025Summary reviewed June 2026

A Daily Pill Lowered Blood Sugar Levels by 1.5 Points in Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Researchers tested orforglipron, a pill taken once daily, in adults with type 2 diabetes managed with diet and exercise. After 40 weeks, people taking the medication lowered their A1C by about 1 to 1.5 percentage points and lost 4.5% to 7.6% of their body weight, compared to minimal changes with a dummy pill.

What the trial was testing

The ACHIEVE-1 enrolled 559 patients with type 2 diabetes. The study was sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company and tracked outcomes across the full group of patients who matched the trial's eligibility profile.

It was a large trial designed to confirm whether the treatment works well enough for wider use. Trials at this stage are designed to produce evidence regulators and physicians can act on — not just observations to follow up later.

What the results showed

People taking orforglipron lowered their A1C by up to 1.5 percentage points after 40 weeks.

The New England journal of medicine · 2025 · NCT05971940

These findings — that orforglipron lowered A1C by about 1 to 1.5 points more than placebo — were published in the The New England journal of medicine and represent the headline result of the study.

Researchers tracked outcomes across 559 patients enrolled in the trial. The result was consistent enough across the group that the team felt confident reporting it.

What this means for patients

For patients with type 2 diabetes, this result changes the calculus on what to ask their care team about. Whether it changes day-to-day care depends on factors like disease subtype, prior treatments, and where the patient is in their care journey.

What you can do now

This was a large-scale study and the results were positive. Orforglipron is not yet FDA-approved but is in late-stage testing. If you have type 2 diabetes and are interested in new treatment options, talk with your doctor about this medication or similar GLP-1 treatments that are already available.

Eligibility for the treatments mentioned above depends on specific test results and clinical history. Bring this summary, the trial name, and your most recent labs or pathology report to your next visit.