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Cagrilintide

Last reviewed: April 18, 2026 by The Peptide Catalog Team

A next-gen amylin analog for powerful appetite control and weight loss. Cagrilintide is Novo Nordisk's long-acting amylin analog designed for weight management. Phase 2 trials showed 11.8% body weight loss as monotherapy and up to 17.1% when combined with semaglutide (CagriSema). Works by enhancing satiety and slowing gastric emptying through amylin receptor activation.

Overview

Cagrilintide Results Timeline

Progression
1
Week 1–4
Physical Changes
Appetite reduction, early satiety after meals
Performance & Recovery
Reduced food cravings, especially for high-calorie foods
Other Benefits
Mild GI effects possible during dose escalation
2
Month 2–3
Physical Changes
Steady weight loss (1-2 lbs/week), visible body changes
Performance & Recovery
Sustained appetite control, normalized eating patterns
Other Benefits
Metabolic markers improving (fasting glucose, insulin)
3
Month 4–6
Physical Changes
Significant weight reduction, improved body composition
Performance & Recovery
Better energy levels, improved mobility
Other Benefits
HbA1c improvement, cardiovascular markers improving
4
6+ Months
Physical Changes
Up to 22.7% body weight loss (CagriSema trial data)
Performance & Recovery
Sustained metabolic health improvements
Other Benefits
Ongoing treatment typically needed to maintain results

Timeline is illustrative and non-guaranteed. Outcomes vary and are commonly discussed alongside training, nutrition, sleep, and cycling practices.

Evidence at a glance

Two parallel grades per outcome — clinical RCT depth and real-world community adoption. See the Research Overview below for citations and detail.

OutcomeClinical EvidenceCommunity Evidence
Body weight reduction (combo with semaglutide)StrongPreliminary
Body weight reduction in T2D (CagriSema)ModeratePreliminary
Cagrilintide monotherapy weight lossPreliminaryPreliminary
How It WorksAmylin Analog — Long-Acting Satiety Peptide

Receptor → Satiety Signal → Weight Loss → Outcomes

1
Target

Amylin Receptors (CTR + RAMP Complex)

Cagrilintide is a long-acting analog of amylin, a hormone co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic beta cells after meals. It activates amylin receptors (calcitonin receptor + RAMP complexes) in the brain's area postrema and nucleus tractus solitarius — regions that control satiety and gastric function.

2
Cellular Signal

cAMP Signaling → Central Satiety + Gastric Slowing

Amylin receptor activation triggers cAMP-mediated signaling in brainstem satiety centers, producing powerful fullness signals. Simultaneously slows gastric emptying and suppresses glucagon secretion. The long-acting acylation extends the half-life to allow once-weekly dosing.

3
Systemic Effect

Reduced Appetite + Slower Digestion → Caloric Deficit

The combination of central appetite suppression and delayed gastric emptying creates a sustained caloric deficit. Phase 2 trials showed 11.8% body weight loss as monotherapy. The mechanism complements GLP-1 agonists — different receptor, additive effects.

4
What You Notice

Strong Satiety → Steady Weight Loss → Metabolic Improvements

Reduced hunger and portion sizes within the first week. Steady weight loss over months. When combined with semaglutide (CagriSema), up to 17.1% weight loss — among the highest of any combination therapy. GI side effects (nausea) are common during titration.

What Makes This Peptide Different

Cagrilintide targets the amylin pathway — a completely different satiety mechanismfrom GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide. This is why CagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide) produces additive weight loss — two independent appetite-suppressing pathways activated simultaneously. The long-acting acylation allows weekly dosing like semaglutide. Still investigational — not yet FDA-approved.

Research overview

Outcome-by-outcome look at what the evidence actually supports for Cagrilintide, including human vs. animal study counts and our editorial take on each.

Body weight reduction (combined with semaglutide)

Clinical:StrongCommunity:Preliminary

Enebo 2021 (Lancet Phase 1b, n=95) showed concomitant cagrilintide + semaglutide 2.4 mg produced approximately 17.1% weight loss over 20 weeks in healthy adults with overweight — substantially exceeding semaglutide monotherapy at the same time point. The 2025 REDEFINE-1 Phase 3 readout confirmed the combination at scale.

3 human studies · 6 animal studies

Key findings & citations
  • Phase 1b: 17.1% weight loss at 20 weeks with combined cagri + sema.
  • Effect attributed to dual amylin (cagrilintide) + GLP-1 (semaglutide) mechanism.
  • Cagrilintide alone is a long-acting amylin analog — amylin slows gastric emptying and induces satiety.

Our take

The amylin add-on appears genuinely additive, not just larger-cocktail tolerance signal. The CagriSema combination is positioned to be a top weight-loss combo in 2026.

What Cagrilintide doesn't do

Claims that current evidence does not support. Worth knowing before you set expectations.

Top Cagrilintide Vendors

Dosing ProtocolWeight Loss / Appetite Control

Educational reference only. Individual responses vary. Consult healthcare provider before use.

Vial Size
5 mg
Reconstitution
2 ml BAC water
Dose
250 mcg (10 units on 1ml syringe)
Timing
AM
Frequency
3 days per week
Duration
8 weeks on, 8 weeks off
Protocol Notes
Long-acting amylin analog. Can be used as needed for appetite suppression. Common side effects: nausea, diarrhea, constipation.

Why This Dosing Protocol

Why slow titration? Like all satiety peptides, GI side effects (nausea, vomiting) are dose-dependent. Starting low and increasing every 4 weeks minimizes side effects while the body adapts.

Why weekly? The acyl chain modification extends half-life to allow once-weekly subcutaneous injection, similar to semaglutide.

Why combine with semaglutide? Amylin (cagrilintide) and GLP-1 (semaglutide) use different receptors and pathways. CagriSema trials show the combined effect exceeds either alone — true pharmacological synergy.
Popular Cagrilintide Stacks

Pre-made bundles ranked by value. Cost per mg is based on the Cagrilintide portion of each stack.

Reconstitution Calculator

Dilution math and unit conversions. Prefilled using a common vial size for this peptide.

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Storage & Handling

Storage at a glance

Proper storage temperatures, shelf life, reconstitution best practices, and travel tips for lyophilized and reconstituted peptides.

Powder: Freezer
1+ year at -20°C
Reconstituted: Fridge
4 weeks max at 2-8°C
View Complete Storage Guide

Handling specifics

Educational overview on storage, labeling, and traceability considerations for lab environments. Consult primary literature and vendor documentation for specifics.

Powder storage (very stable)
  • Freezer (-20°C): 1+ year
  • Refrigerator (2-8°C): 1-3 months
  • Room temperature: 2-3 weeks (emergency only)
Reconstituted storage (fragile)
  • MUST refrigerate at 2-8°C
  • 4-week maximum shelf life
  • NEVER freeze after reconstitution
  • Use bacteriostatic water for multi-dose
Molecular Structure
  • Type: Amylin analog
    (Long-acting via fatty acid acylation.)
  • Target: Amylin receptors (CTR/RAMP)
    (Area postrema & hypothalamus.)
  • Dosing: Once weekly
    (Subcutaneous injection.)
  • Key Trial: REDEFINE 1
    (CagriSema: 22.7% weight loss.)
Modified amylin sequence
37-amino acid acylated peptide (C18 fatty acid)
The C18 fatty acid chain enables albumin binding, extending half-life for weekly dosing. Combined with semaglutide as CagriSema, it targets two independent appetite pathways simultaneously.
Key takeaway: Cagrilintide represents the next frontier in obesity treatment. Its combination with semaglutide (CagriSema) achieved the highest weight loss ever seen in a Phase 3 trial — 22.7% body weight reduction.

FAQ

How is cagrilintide different from semaglutide?

They target completely different receptors. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that works primarily in the gut and brain. Cagrilintide is an amylin receptor agonist that signals satiety through the area postrema in the brainstem. Because the mechanisms are independent, combining them (CagriSema) produces additive weight loss — 22.7% in the REDEFINE 1 trial.

What is CagriSema?

CagriSema is Novo Nordisk's combination of cagrilintide 2.4 mg + semaglutide 2.4 mg in a single weekly injection. Phase 3 REDEFINE 1 results showed 22.7% body weight loss at 68 weeks — significantly more than either drug alone. It's expected to be the next major obesity treatment after current GLP-1 treatments.

What are the side effects of cagrilintide?

The most common side effects are gastrointestinal: nausea (43%), diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation. These are typically mild-to-moderate and decrease over time. Dose escalation over 16 weeks (starting at 0.25 mg) helps minimize GI effects. Hypoglycemia is rare when not combined with insulin.

Is cagrilintide FDA-approved?

As of early 2026, cagrilintide is not yet FDA-approved as a standalone drug. CagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide) has completed Phase 3 trials and is under regulatory review. Research-grade cagrilintide is available from peptide vendors for investigational use.

How does amylin reduce appetite?

Amylin is co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic beta cells after meals. It activates receptors in the area postrema and hypothalamus to produce satiety, slow gastric emptying, and suppress glucagon. Cagrilintide mimics these effects with a much longer half-life (allowing weekly dosing) thanks to its C18 fatty acid acylation that enables albumin binding.

How long does reconstituted peptide last?

Once mixed with bacteriostatic water, peptides remain stable for up to 4 weeks when refrigerated at 2-8°C (36-46°F). Unopened powder can last 1+ year in the freezer. Get our complete Storage & Travel Guide.

Is this peptide legal to purchase?

Peptides sold "for research purposes only" are legal to purchase in the US, but are not FDA-approved for human use outside of specific medical applications. Always consult a healthcare provider before use.

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Cagrilintide Research Articles

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