Cagrilintide
INVESTIGATIONALLong-acting amylin analog | Weight loss
By the INFOPEPTIDOS editorial team · content based on scientific literature.
Updated: August 2026.
Key points
- What it is: long-acting analog of amylin (a satiety hormone).
- Main use: weight loss, especially combined with semaglutide (CagriSema).
- Typical dose: 0.3 → 2.4 mg weekly, subcutaneous injection, with gradual escalation.
- Key result: increases satiety and slows gastric emptying; ~20-22 % combined.
- Common effects: nausea and digestive discomfort (dose-dependent).
- Comparison: complements GLP-1s; CagriSema beats semaglutide alone.
- Status: investigational, not FDA-approved.
Technical data: Molecular formula C194H312N54O59S2 · Molecular weight 4409 g/mol. Source: PubChem.
Overview
What is cagrilintide?
Cagrilintide is a long-acting analog of amylin, a hormone the pancreas releases alongside insulin to regulate satiety. It is researched mainly in combination with semaglutide (a formulation known as CagriSema), where the two hormones act through different pathways to enhance weight loss.
Key benefits
Greater satiety and lower food intake with a single weekly injection. Combined with semaglutide, weight loss in trials exceeds that of each drug alone, approaching the results of dual agonists.
Mechanism of action
It mimics amylin: it slows gastric emptying, reduces appetite centrally and moderates glucagon secretion. By acting through a different pathway from GLP-1, it complements semaglutide.
Quick start guide
Dosing protocol
| Phase | Weeks | Weekly dose | Goal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | 1–4 | 0.3 mg | Adaptation; minimizes nausea |
| Titration 1 | 5–8 | 0.6 mg | Gradual increase |
| Titration 2 | 9–12 | 1.2 mg | Progressive increase |
| Maintenance | 13+ | 2.4 mg (max.) | Maintenance dose |
Subcutaneous route, once a week, increasing the dose every 4 weeks. Investigational compound: the regimen must be set by a healthcare professional.
Reconstitution: units in the syringe
Example with a 5 mg vial + 2 ml of bacteriostatic water → a 2.5 mg/ml solution. On a U-100 insulin syringe (100 units = 1 ml):
| Dose | Volume | Units (U-100) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.3 mg | 0.12 ml | 12 U |
| 0.6 mg | 0.24 ml | 24 U |
| 1.2 mg | 0.48 ml | 48 U |
| 2.4 mg | 0.96 ml | 96 U |
Is your vial or water different? Calculate the exact units below.
🧮 Calculate your exact syringe dose →CagriSema versus monotherapies
| Semaglutide | Cagrilintide | CagriSema | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Target | GLP-1 | Amylin | GLP-1 + amylin |
| Weight loss | ~15 % | ~10-12 % | ~20-22 % |
| Frequency | 1×/week | 1×/week | 1×/week |
| FDA status | Approved | Investigational | Investigational |
⚠️ Who should NOT use it
- History of pancreatitis.
- Combined with semaglutide, GLP-1 warnings also apply (medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN 2).
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Always under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
What to expect
- Week 1-2: greater satiety and less appetite; mild digestive discomfort.
- Week 2-4: smaller portions and fewer cravings.
- Week 4-8: steady weight loss, greater when combined with semaglutide.
- Week 8+: sustained weight reduction and metabolic improvement.
- Side effects: nausea and digestive discomfort, mainly when increasing the dose.
- Most effective for: weight loss, especially in CagriSema.
Side effects & safety
- Nausea, especially when increasing the dose.
- Diarrhea, constipation or abdominal discomfort.
- Mild injection-site reaction.
- Risk of hypoglycemia if combined with insulin or sulfonylureas.
- Vomiting if titration is too fast.
- Allergic reaction: rash, itching or swelling.
- Severe, persistent abdominal pain (possible pancreatitis).
- Vomiting that prevents hydration.
- Signs of severe hypoglycemia.
- If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Frequently asked questions
What is cagrilintide?
Cagrilintide is a long-acting analog of amylin that increases satiety and slows gastric emptying.
What is CagriSema?
It is the combination of cagrilintide and semaglutide; in trials it achieves greater weight loss than either compound alone.
What is the cagrilintide dose?
It is titrated up to about 2.4 mg weekly subcutaneously. The regimen must be set by a professional.
How does cagrilintide work?
It mimics amylin: it reduces appetite and slows stomach emptying, complementing GLP-1 action.
What are the side effects?
Mainly nausea and digestive discomfort, more common when increasing the dose.
Is cagrilintide approved?
No; it is a research compound and is not FDA-approved.
Research areas
- Weight loss
- Satiety and appetite
- Combination with GLP-1 (CagriSema)
- Glycemic control
- Obesity
Related peptides
- Semaglutide — GLP-1 agonist; forms CagriSema with cagrilintide.
- Tirzepatide — Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonist for weight and diabetes.
- Retatrutide — Triple agonist with the greatest weight loss.
Related articles
Related topics
- Cagrilintide and CagriSema
- Cagrilintide dose
- Cagrilintide and semaglutide
- Cagrilintide weight loss
- Cagrilintide side effects
- Cagrilintide vs tirzepatide
Summary
What it is: Long-acting amylin analog.
How it is researched: Subcutaneous, 0.3-2.4 mg once a week.
Key features: Increases satiety; potent in CagriSema. Investigational.
Related peptides: Semaglutide, Tirzepatide and Retatrutide.
References
- Garvey WT et al. (2025). Coadministered Cagrilintide and Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. PubMed · DOI
- Lau DCW et al. (2021). Once-weekly cagrilintide for weight management in people with overweight and obesity: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled and active-controlled, dose-finding phase 2 trial. Lancet. PubMed · DOI
- D'Ascanio AM et al. (2024). Cagrilintide: A Long-Acting Amylin Analog for the Treatment of Obesity. Cardiol Rev. PubMed · DOI
- Frias JP et al. (2023). Efficacy and safety of co-administered once-weekly cagrilintide 2·4 mg with once-weekly semaglutide 2·4 mg in type 2 diabetes: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, active-controlled, phase 2 trial. Lancet. PubMed · DOI
Studies compiled from PubMed for informational purposes; many are preclinical or research-stage and do not constitute medical advice.