Cagrilintide
A long-acting version of amylin, a natural hormone your body releases after eating that tells your brain you're full. It works through a completely different pathway than GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide, which is why combining them (as CagriSema) produces even better results. On its own, it reduces how much you eat per meal by signalling fullness earlier. Developed by Novo Nordisk, mainly as part of the CagriSema combination.
Dosage
2.4 mg subcutaneous once weekly
Dosages shown are for research reference only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.
Administration
Subcutaneous injection (weekly)
Get Research-Grade Cagrilintide
99%+ purity · US-based · third-party lab tested
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Effects
Appetite Suppression
Targets brainstem amylin receptors to reduce meal size and food intake.
Weight Loss
Significant weight reduction through a pathway distinct from GLP-1 agonists.
Satiety Enhancement
Slows gastric emptying and promotes early meal termination.
Mechanism of Action
Cagrilintide is a long-acting analogue of amylin, a 37-amino-acid peptide hormone naturally co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic beta cells after meals. Native amylin plays a crucial but often overlooked role in metabolic regulation — it signals satiety, slows gastric emptying, and suppresses post-meal glucagon secretion through mechanisms entirely distinct from the GLP-1 pathway.
Cagrilintide activates amylin receptors, which are heterodimeric complexes formed by the calcitonin receptor (CTR) paired with receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMP1, RAMP2, or RAMP3). These receptors are concentrated in the area postrema and the nucleus tractus solitarius in the brainstem — regions outside the blood-brain barrier that can directly sense circulating peptides. Activation of these neurons triggers ascending satiety signals to the hypothalamus, reducing meal size and food-seeking behavior through pathways that are neuroanatomically separate from GLP-1 signaling.
This distinct mechanism is why cagrilintide produces additive appetite suppression when combined with semaglutide (as CagriSema) — the two peptides target different populations of neurons within the brain's appetite control circuitry. Cagrilintide has been engineered with acylation modifications that enable albumin binding, extending its half-life from minutes (native amylin) to approximately one week, making it suitable for weekly subcutaneous dosing.
Regulatory Status
Not FDA approved as standalone. Being developed as CagriSema combination. Phase 3 trials ongoing. Novo Nordisk.
Risks & Safety
Common
nausea (20-30%), vomiting, diarrhea, injection site reactions, reduced appetite.
Serious
possible pancreas inflammation, low blood sugar if combined with insulin or diabetes medications, limited long-term safety data.
Rare
severe allergic reactions.
Compare Cagrilintide With
Research Papers
30Published: February 1, 2026
AI Summary
A review discusses how GLP-1 drugs and bariatric surgery can work together for obesity. Surgery will likely remain important despite advances in pharmacotherapy.
Published: January 29, 2026
AI Summary
Amylin analogs like cagrilintide promote satiety and weight loss; combined with GLP-1 agonists they can exceed 15% weight loss. The review outlines their role in treating diabetes and obesity together.
Published: November 22, 2025
AI Summary
A review summarizes kidney-protective drugs for diabetes, including emerging options like cagrilintide. Integrated, personalized approaches may further slow kidney disease.
Published: December 1, 2025
AI Summary
A review covers amylin receptor agonists including cagrilintide, their synergy with GLP-1 drugs, and potential benefits beyond weight loss. The work outlines emerging precision obesity treatments.
Published: February 1, 2026
AI Summary
CagriSema lowered blood pressure in addition to body weight in adults with overweight or obesity. The abstract describes the combination's benefits; full results would clarify the magnitude of blood pressure reduction.
Published: December 19, 2026
AI Summary
Researchers hypothesize that amylin-based drugs may activate the renin-angiotensin system, but blood pressure drugs could redirect this toward protective pathways. The work proposes studies to test this.
Published: December 15, 2025
AI Summary
Researchers evaluated a new amylin analog for obesity treatment. The abstract describes the study aim; full results would clarify therapeutic potential compared to cagrilintide.
Published: October 6, 2025
AI Summary
A review covers novel GLP-1-based drugs including CagriSema and amycretin. Multi-receptor agonists and oral formulations may offer more effective, better-tolerated options for diabetes and obesity.
Published: September 20, 2025
AI Summary
Researchers outlined a protocol for a systematic review of cardiovascular effects of incretin drugs in heart failure patients. The work will clarify benefits and risks in this population.
Published: November 25, 2025
AI Summary
A review covers obesity drugs including CagriSema, which may achieve weight loss in the 15–25% range. The work examines efficacy, safety, and challenges in long-term treatment.
Published: January 21, 2026
AI Summary
Structural analysis revealed how cagrilintide activates both amylin and calcitonin receptors. The work could guide design of improved dual-receptor obesity drugs.
Published: July 7, 2025
AI Summary
CagriSema produced weight loss in rats partly by limiting the usual drop in energy expenditure during dieting. About one-third of its effect came from preserving metabolism.
Published: September 30, 2025
AI Summary
A research tool compound similar to cagrilintide was validated for mouse and rat studies. It matched cagrilintide's effects on food intake and weight and is available for preclinical research.
Published: August 2, 2025
AI Summary
Researchers identified brain amylin receptors 1 and 3 as the main targets for cagrilintide's weight-loss effect. The abstract describes the receptor system; full results would clarify the mechanism.
Published: August 13, 2025
AI Summary
Researchers evaluated the weight-loss efficacy of CagriSema in adults with overweight or obesity. The abstract describes the study aim; full results would clarify the combination's benefits.
Published: August 13, 2025
AI Summary
Researchers evaluated CagriSema for weight management in adults with type 2 diabetes. The abstract describes the study aim; full results would clarify efficacy and glucose control.
Published: May 5, 2025
AI Summary
A review covers diabetes management and CagriSema's potential to lower blood sugar and weight while limiting hypoglycemia. The work outlines clinical evidence and future trial directions.
Published: April 9, 2025
AI Summary
Structural analysis showed how cagrilintide binds to amylin and calcitonin receptors and induces distinct conformational changes. The work could inform design of improved obesity drugs.
Published: May 10, 2025
AI Summary
A review covers incretin-based therapies including CagriSema, with benefits for diabetes, obesity, and heart and kidney disease. Multi-targeting peptides may expand treatment options.
Published: February 28, 2025
AI Summary
A review outlines GLP-1 drugs and pipeline agents for obesity, including combinations like CagriSema. The work summarizes weight-loss efficacy and emerging options.
Published: September 3, 2024
AI Summary
A review covers approved and emerging obesity drugs including cagrilintide, tirzepatide, and retatrutide. Cagrilintide alone or with semaglutide showed substantial weight loss; long-term safety data are still needed.
Published: February 17, 2025
AI Summary
A review maps brain pathways targeted by amylin and how cagrilintide may act similarly. Understanding these pathways could improve dual and triple agonist obesity therapies.
Published: September 29, 2024
AI Summary
A review covers amylin analogs including cagrilintide for obesity in people without diabetes. The work outlines present evidence and future directions for these agents.
Published: December 15, 2024
AI Summary
Cagrilintide did not prolong the heart's electrical recovery (QT interval) in healthy volunteers. The finding supports cardiac safety for the CagriSema combination.
Published: May 21, 2024
AI Summary
A review covers oral GLP-1 drugs and injectable combinations with GIP, glucagon, and amylin for diabetes and obesity. The work outlines current options and pipeline agents.
Published: May 28, 2024
AI Summary
A review provides an overview of past, current, and emerging obesity treatments. The work covers therapeutic and preventive options for obesity management.
Published: July 3, 2024
AI Summary
A bullfrog-derived GLP-1 analog combined with cagrilintide produced greater weight loss than semaglutide plus cagrilintide in obese mice. The work suggests exploring natural GLP-1 sources for obesity therapy.
Published: January 25, 2024
AI Summary
A review summarizes amylin and its analogs pramlintide and cagrilintide for diabetes and obesity. The work covers mechanisms, pharmacology, and clinical applications.
Published: January 28, 2024
AI Summary
A network meta-analysis compared GLP-1 drugs for blood sugar, weight, and lipids in type 2 diabetes. The work helps clinicians choose among these agents.
Published: March 4, 2024
AI Summary
A review covers recent peptide therapies for diabetes and obesity, including CagriSema. Incretin-based drugs offer improved weight and glucose control with cardio-renal benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cagrilintide?
A long-acting version of amylin, a natural hormone your body releases after eating that tells your brain you're full. It works through a completely different pathway than GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide, which is why combining them (as CagriSema) produces even better results. On its own, it reduces how much you eat per meal by signalling fullness earlier. Developed by Novo Nordisk, mainly as part of the CagriSema combination.
What is Cagrilintide used for?
A long-acting version of amylin, a natural hormone your body releases after eating that tells your brain you're full. It works through a completely different pathway than GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide, which is why combining them (as CagriSema) produces even better results. On its own, it reduces how much you eat per meal by signalling fullness earlier. Developed by Novo Nordisk, mainly as part of the CagriSema combination.
What is the dosage for Cagrilintide?
Clinical trials: 1.2-4.5 mg subcutaneous once weekly with dose escalation. Combination (CagriSema): 2.4 mg cagrilintide + 2.4 mg semaglutide subcutaneous once weekly.
What are the side effects of Cagrilintide?
Common: nausea (20-30%), vomiting, diarrhea, injection site reactions, reduced appetite. Serious: possible pancreas inflammation, low blood sugar if combined with insulin or diabetes medications, limited long-term safety data. Rare: severe allergic reactions.
How does Cagrilintide work?
Cagrilintide is a long-acting analogue of amylin, a 37-amino-acid peptide hormone naturally co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic beta cells after meals. Native amylin plays a crucial but often overlooked role in metabolic regulation — it signals satiety, slows gastric emptying, and suppresses post-meal glucagon secretion through mechanisms entirely distinct from the GLP-1 pathway. Cagrilintide activates amylin receptors, which are heterodimeric complexes formed by the calcitonin receptor (CTR) paired with receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMP1, RAMP2, or RAMP3). These receptors are concentrated in the area postrema and the nucleus tractus solitarius in the brainstem — regions outside the blood-brain barrier that can directly sense circulating peptides. Activation of these neurons triggers ascending satiety signals to the hypothalamus, reducing meal size and food-seeking behavior through pathways that are neuroanatomically separate from GLP-1 signaling. This distinct mechanism is why cagrilintide produces additive appetite suppression when combined with semaglutide (as CagriSema) — the two peptides target different populations of neurons within the brain's appetite control circuitry. Cagrilintide has been engineered with acylation modifications that enable albumin binding, extending its half-life from minutes (native amylin) to approximately one week, making it suitable for weekly subcutaneous dosing.
How is Cagrilintide administered?
Cagrilintide is administered via subcutaneous injection (weekly).
What is the half-life of Cagrilintide?
The half-life of Cagrilintide is 168 hours (7 days).
Is Cagrilintide legal?
Not FDA approved as standalone. Being developed as CagriSema combination. Phase 3 trials ongoing. Novo Nordisk.
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CagriSema
A once-weekly injection that combines two powerful appetite-suppressing drugs — cagrilintide and semaglutide — into a single shot. By targeting two different hunger pathways in the brain simultaneously, it achieves roughly 25% body weight loss in trials, making it one of the most effective weight loss treatments ever developed. Think of it as the next generation beyond Wegovy. Still awaiting FDA approval.