Library / Peptides / Weight Management / Cagrilintide

Strong evidence · Grade A

Cagrilintide

Weight Management

Evidence

Strong Evidence

Route

Subcutaneous injection

Frequency

Once weekly

Mechanism.

Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analog developed by Novo Nordisk for the treatment of obesity. Amylin is a hormone co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic beta cells that promotes satiety, slows gastric emptying, and suppresses glucagon. Cagrilintide is being developed both as a standalone therapy and in combination with semaglutide (the combination known as CagriSema).

Think of amylin as your stomach's 'I'm full' signal that naturally comes with insulin after a meal. Cagrilintide is a long-lasting version of that signal, keeping the 'full' message turned on much longer to help reduce food intake.

Mechanism · technical

Cagrilintide acts as an agonist at amylin receptors (AMY1 and AMY3), which are composed of the calcitonin receptor coupled with receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs). Activation of these receptors in the area postrema and hypothalamus suppresses appetite, slows gastric emptying, and inhibits postprandial glucagon secretion. Its acylated structure provides extended pharmacokinetics allowing once-weekly dosing.

Part 02 · Dosing & administration

How it's taken.

Values below describe how Cagrilintide has been administered in published trials and labeling. Provided for educational purposes only — this is not medical advice and not instructions for self-administration. Consult your healthcare provider before making any health decision.

Standard dose

2.4 mg (target dose after titration)

Subcutaneous injection · Once weekly

Duration

Ongoing as prescribed

Long-acting amylin analogue. Under investigation (CagriSema combines cagrilintide + semaglutide). Not yet FDA-approved as standalone. Titration schedule used in trials.

Need help with reconstitution?

Use the free peptide calculator for dilution, unit conversion, and injection volume.

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Part 03 · Safety

Side effects, rare serious events, who shouldn't.

Reported side effects

Most common side effects are gastrointestinal: nausea (typically transient and dose-dependent), vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation. Injection site reactions including induration and erythema have been reported. Hypoglycemia risk is low when used without insulin.

Absolute · do not use

Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma

Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)

Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Children under 18

Known hypersensitivity to cagrilintide or any component

History of pancreatitis

Interactions

Insulin

Increased risk of hypoglycemia when combined; dose adjustment of insulin may be required

Major

Sulfonylureas (glipizide, glyburide)

Additive hypoglycemic effect; monitor blood glucose and consider dose reduction

Major

Oral medications with narrow therapeutic index

Amylin analogs delay gastric emptying which may affect absorption of oral medications

Moderate

GLP-1 receptor agonists

Additive GI side effects (nausea, vomiting); increased risk of pancreatitis

Moderate

Labs to monitor

Fasting Glucose & Insulin

Baseline and monthly

Monitor glycemic effects

Lipase & Amylase

Baseline and every 3 months

Screen for pancreatitis risk (GLP-1 class concern)

CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel)

Baseline and every 3 months

Liver and kidney function

HbA1c

Baseline and every 3 months

Track glycemic control

Thyroid Panel (TSH, Free T4)

Baseline and every 6 months

Amylin analogues may affect thyroid; class monitoring

Part 04 · Evidence

How strong is the evidence?

Scores derived from rating, indexed studies, regulatory status, and catalogued safety data for this peptide. Curated per-peptide scoring replaces this when available.

Grade B

Grade B. Evidence is strongest where indications match regulatory approval — pair with a clinician when applying beyond label.

Clinical efficacy

Rating reflects consistent peer-reviewed evidence in its indication.

Study quality

2 indexed studies in our dataset. Designs vary — see Research log for per-study grades.

Regulatory clarity

FDA-approved for at least one indication.

Safety profile

Based on 6 documented contraindications, 4 interactions, 5 lab checkpoints.

Long-term data

Years of post-approval surveillance available.

Part 05 · Research log

Every study we cite.

Each study with its published finding and a plain-language note on limitations or funding.

2021

Cagrilintide for weight management: Phase 2 trial

Dose-dependent weight loss up to ~10.8% at highest dose over 26 weeks

Phase 2 RCT; Novo Nordisk-sponsored

PMID 34706171 ↗

2023

CagriSema once weekly in type 2 diabetes

CagriSema showed superior HbA1c reduction and weight loss vs semaglutide alone

Phase 2; industry-sponsored

PMID 37840095 ↗

Part 06 · Cost & access

Where you can get it.

Regulatory status

Not yet FDA-approved as a standalone agent as of early 2026. The combination product CagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide) completed Phase III trials (REDEFINE program) and is under regulatory review. Cagrilintide has been studied in multiple large Phase II and III trials.

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Part 07 · Your appointment

Questions to bring.

How does cagrilintide compare to GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide for weight loss?

What are the expected benefits of the CagriSema combination over either drug alone?

What gastrointestinal side effects should I expect, and how are they managed?

Is cagrilintide appropriate for me given my current medications and health conditions?