Cagrilintide
Cagrilintide (Long-Acting Amylin Analog)
Long-Acting Amylin Analog for Weight Loss
What is Cagrilintide?
Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analog developed by Novo Nordisk as a once-weekly injectable for the treatment of obesity. Amylin is a peptide hormone co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic beta cells; it plays a key role in regulating satiety by acting on homeostatic and hedonic regions of the brain, slowing gastric emptying, and suppressing glucagon release. Cagrilintide replicates and substantially extends these effects through modifications that increase its half-life and receptor binding stability compared to native amylin.
Phase 2 data published in The Lancet (2021) established the dose-ranging profile of cagrilintide as monotherapy, demonstrating up to 10.8% body weight reduction over 26 weeks compared to 3.0% with placebo. Monotherapy results at 68 weeks showed an average body weight reduction of 11.8% versus 3.0% for placebo, establishing clinical meaningfulness even before combination therapy was explored.
The most compelling data comes from the CagriSema combination program, pairing cagrilintide with the GLP-1 receptor agonist semaglutide. The REDEFINE 1 trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed a mean body weight reduction of 20.4% over 68 weeks for the combination group versus 3.0% for placebo. Sixty percent of participants achieved at least 20% weight loss, and 23% lost 30% or more of body weight. These results reflect an additive mechanism: cagrilintide acts on amylin receptors while semaglutide acts on GLP-1 receptors, producing complementary appetite suppression across different neural circuits.
Cagrilintide is not currently FDA-approved for any indication as of early 2026 and remains under investigation. Its use outside of clinical trials is considered off-label and investigational. All research and clinical interest is directed at understanding how amylin-pathway activation can complement existing GLP-1-based therapies for sustainable obesity management.
Research Supply
Source high-purity Cagrilintide for your research
Dosage Guide
Route: Subcutaneous injection, once weekly
Dosing Schedule
| Period | Dose |
|---|---|
| Weeks 1-4 | 0.25 mg once weekly |
| Weeks 5-8 | 0.5 mg once weekly |
| Weeks 9-12 | 1.0 mg once weekly |
| Weeks 13-16 | 1.7 mg once weekly |
| Week 17+ (maintenance) | 2.4 mg once weekly |
Reconstitution
Injection Volumes
| Dose | Volume | Syringe Units |
|---|
Administration Tips
- Administer subcutaneously once weekly; the extended half-life supports once-weekly dosing without daily injections
- The dose escalation protocol is designed to minimize gastrointestinal side effects during initiation
- In the phase 2 monotherapy trial, the 2.4 mg dose was identified as the optimal balance of efficacy and tolerability
- Reconstitute lyophilized powder with bacteriostatic water using standard aseptic technique; follow vial-specific labeling
Risks & Side Effects
Commonly Reported
Serious Risks
Pancreatitis
Risk signal consistent with other amylin/GLP-1 class agents; discontinue if pancreatitis is suspected.
Severe dehydration
Can occur secondary to prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, particularly early in treatment.
Gallbladder disease
Cholelithiasis observed at higher rates in significant weight loss trials across the GLP-1 class.
Hypoglycemia
Particularly if combined with insulin secretagogues or insulin.
Contraindications
- Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (risk extrapolated from GLP-1 class data)
- Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- Known hypersensitivity to cagrilintide or any component of the formulation
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding (weight loss pharmacotherapy not indicated)
- Type 1 diabetes (insufficient data)
- Severe renal or hepatic impairment (clinical data limited)
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Peptides
Experts Covering Cagrilintide
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
The information provided on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Cagrilintide has not been approved by the FDA for any medical condition. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any peptide therapy. Individual results may vary. Peptides Institute is not responsible for any adverse effects resulting from the use of information provided on this site.