Does Foundayo cause high blood pressure?

Starting a new medicine can make you more aware of changes in your body. So, if you've had a higher reading than usual, it's natural to wonder whether Foundayo is behind it. But high blood pressure is not listed as a side effect of Foundayo. In fact, the official product information says it may lower your blood pressure.

In this guide, we'll look at what the evidence says, other reasons your blood pressure can change, how to keep an eye on it, and when to get support.

Can Foundayo raise your blood pressure?

Not according to the official product information. High blood pressure (hypertension) is not listed as a side effect in the Foundayo patient leaflet. It's not in the summary of product characteristics (SmPC) either, which is the official information for healthcare professionals.

Instead, low blood pressure as a common side effect, which may affect up to 1 in 10 people.

Two 72-week studies compared orforglipron (the medicine in Foundayo) with a placebo (dummy tablet). In both, systolic blood pressure (the top number) fell more on orforglipron, says the SmPC:

• in 3,127 adults without type 2 diabetes, it fell by 6.14 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) on average, compared with 0.78mmHg on placebo
• in 1,613 adults with type 2 diabetes, it fell by 4.90mmHg on average, compared with 1.48mmHg on placebo

How does Foundayo affect blood pressure?

Foundayo may lower your blood pressure slightly. The SmPC doesn't explain exactly why, but a few things can affect your blood pressure while you're taking it:

• Weight loss. Foundayo helps you eat less, most likely by reducing your appetite, which helps you lose weight. Studies have shown that losing weight if you are overweight can help lower blood pressure. losing weight if you are overweight can help lower blood pressure.
• Dehydration. Feeling sick, being sick, or having diarrhoea can cause dehydration (loss of fluids), says the leaflet. When your body does not have enough water, there's less blood travelling around your body, which can lead to low blood pressure, says the British Heart Foundation (BHF). If you feel particularly unwell, seek advice from your healthcare provider
• Blood pressure medicines. Low blood pressure happened more often in people who were also taking medicine for high blood pressure.

Low blood pressure does not always cause symptoms. But it can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy, sick, weak, or confused, and it can cause blurred vision or fainting.

If you feel dizzy or faint, Blood Pressure UK advises stopping what you're doing, sitting or lying down in case you fall, and drinking some water. Getting up slowly can also help, says the NHS. If you keep getting symptoms, see your GP.

What cause high blood pressure?

A raised reading while you're taking Foundayo doesn't necessarily mean Foundayo caused it. In most cases there isn't one specific reason for high blood pressure, says the BHF. Instead, several things can raise your risk:

• Age: You're more likely to get high blood pressure as you get older.
• Family history: Having close relatives with high blood pressure raises your risk.
• Ethnicity: You're at higher risk if you have a Black African, Black Caribbean, or South Asian background.
• Diet: Eating too much salt and not enough fruit and vegetables can play a part.
• Weight: Being overweight raises your risk, especially if you carry weight around your middle.
• Activity levels: Not getting enough exercise is a risk factor.
• Smoking and alcohol: Smoking and drinking alcohol beyond the recommended units can both raise your risk.
• Stress: Feeling stressed over a long period of time can also raise your risk.
• Other conditions and medicines: Sometimes there's a clear cause, such as kidney disease, diabetes, or obstructive sleep apnoea. Some medicines, such as the contraceptive pill, and some over-the-counter and herbal medicines can also cause it.

How do I know if my blood pressure is high?

The only way to know is to get your blood pressure checked. High blood pressure does not usually cause any symptoms, and many people have it without realising. About a third of adults in the UK have it, according to Blood Pressure UK.

A reading has two numbers. The top number (systolic) is the highest level your blood pressure reaches when your heart pumps. The bottom number (diastolic) is the lowest level, when your heart relaxes between beats.

Ideally, your blood pressure should be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg, says Blood Pressure UK.

According to the NHS, high blood pressure is usually:

• 140/90mmHg or higher when checked by a healthcare professional
• 135/85mmHg or higher when checked at home

You can get your blood pressure checked at most pharmacies or your GP surgery, and some workplaces offer checks too. Many pharmacies offer free checks for people aged 40 or over.

You can also buy a monitor and check at home. The BHF suggests:

• choosing a monitor validated by the British and Irish Hypertension Society
• sitting upright with your back against the chair and your feet flat on the floor
• resting your arm on a table and keeping your hand relaxed
• not talking while you take the reading
• checking again a few minutes later to make sure the readings are similar

What should I do if my blood pressure increases while taking Foundayo?

Try not to worry about one high reading. Many things can affect your blood pressure throughout the day, so a single high reading could just be a one-off, says Blood Pressure UK. Here’s what you can do:

• Check again. Take another reading a few minutes later.
• Keep a record. Note down your readings, so you can see how they change over time. If your GP or nurse asks you to check at home, the BHF says to do it twice a day, in the morning and evening.
• Speak to our clinicians or your GP. Get in touch if your readings keep coming back high.
• Make healthy changes. The NHS suggests eating a healthy, balanced diet, cutting down on salt, alcohol, and caffeine, not smoking, and aiming for at least 150 minutes of exercise a week. Even small changes can help. Lowering the top number by 10mmHg lowers the risk of a heart attack or stroke by 20%, says Blood Pressure UK.

Do not stop taking Foundayo without talking to your doctor first.

“Try not to worry if you get one higher-than-usual reading. It is common for blood pressure to fluctuate, so rest for a few minutes and take it again, making sure you’re sitting comfortably and staying still and quiet. If your readings are regularly high, get in touch with us or your GP It’s also important to tell us if you’re taking blood pressure lowering medication or experiencing dizziness, particularly as studies of Foundayo have generally shown blood pressure coming down rather than going up.”

Dr. Rashi Malhotra

When to get urgent help

Call NHS 111 if you often have headaches or blurred vision, or you have chest pain that comes and goes, alongside high blood pressure.

Call 999 if you get sudden pain or discomfort in your chest that does not go away. The NHS also says to call 999 if you get pain that spreads to your arms, neck, jaw, stomach, or back, or if you have chest pain and feel sweaty, sick, lightheaded, or short of breath.

Can I take Foundayo if I already have high blood pressure?

Yes, you may be able to. Foundayo can be prescribed to adults with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. It can also be prescribed to adults with a BMI between 27 and 30 who have at least one weight-related health problem, such as high blood pressure.

If you take medicine for high blood pressure, make sure your prescriber knows. Low blood pressure can happen when the two are taken together, so your doctor may need to change your dose of blood pressure medicine.

Foundayo is not recommended for people with the most severe type of heart failure, according to the SmPC. So it's important to share your full medical history before you start.

Get support throughout your treatment

Worrying about your blood pressure on top of starting a new medicine could feel like a lot. The good news is that Foundayo is not known to raise blood pressure, and there's plenty you can do to keep an eye on yours. For more information on other side effects, check out our guide to Foundayo side effects.

And as a myBMI patient, you don't have to manage side effects alone. Our Foundayo treatment plan includes clinical support, plus free medication to help with certain side effects, if deemed appropriate.

Sources

• Blood pressure test. (2025) NHS. [Accessed 8 October 2026]
• Foundayo 14.5 mg film-coated tablets: package leaflet: information for the patient. (2026) emc. [Accessed 7 October 2026]
• Foundayo 14.5 mg film-coated tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC). (2026) emc. [Accessed 7 October 2026]
• High blood pressure. (2024) NHS. [Accessed 7 October 2026]
• High blood pressure (hypertension) - causes and symptoms. (2026) British Heart Foundation. [Accessed 8 October 2026]
• How to choose a blood pressure monitor. (2024) British Heart Foundation. [Accessed 8 October 2026]
• Low blood pressure. (2024) British Heart Foundation. [Accessed 7 October 2026]
• Low blood pressure (hypotension). (2023) NHS. [Accessed 8 October 2026]
• What is high blood pressure?. (2021) Blood Pressure UK. [Accessed 7 October 2026]
• What is low blood pressure?. (2021) Blood Pressure UK. [Accessed 7 October 2026]