April FDA approvals split the spotlight between obesity and animal health

April 2026 brought a split picture at the FDA: on the human drug side, Eli Lilly won approval for Foundayo (orforglipron), a once-daily oral GLP-1 for adults with obesity, or overweight with weight-related medical problems, and the agency said the decision came just 50 days after filing under its Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher pilot. On the animal health side, FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine posted four April approvals: Ceva’s AMODIP for systemic hypertension in cats, First Priority’s moxidectin oral drench for sheep parasites, Norbrook’s Loxicom oral suspension for osteoarthritis pain and inflammation in dogs, and Bimeda’s Gastrobim for treatment and prevention of recurrent gastric ulcers in horses and foals. (fda.gov)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the April CVM approvals are the more immediate practice story, especially the addition of a labeled feline hypertension product and another approved canine osteoarthritis option. The human approval is still relevant because it underscores how fast obesity therapeutics are moving, how oral formulations may broaden uptake, and how pet parents may increasingly ask whether similar mechanisms, expectations, or off-label workarounds could apply in dogs and cats, even though Foundayo is a human drug, not an approved veterinary product. Foundayo’s label also highlights the familiar GLP-1 tolerability profile, with gastrointestinal adverse effects among the most common reactions. (fda.gov)

What to watch: Watch for whether CVM follows April’s approvals with additional companion-animal labels in cardiology, pain, or endocrinology, and whether rising visibility of human obesity drugs drives more questions in veterinary clinics about evidence-based weight management options for pets. (fda.gov)