Peptide Comparison
CagrilintidevsRetatrutide
Long-acting amylin analog that supercharges satiety signals, delivering powerful appetite suppression and up to 10-15% weight loss with convenient once-weekly dosing.
The world's first triple-action weight loss peptide that simultaneously activates three hormone receptors—GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon—delivering unprecedented weight loss results of up to 24% body weight in clinical trials.
At a Glance
Quick
comparison
Dose Range
Cagrilintide
0.3–4.5 mg
Retatrutide
1–12 mg
Frequency
Cagrilintide
Once weekly
Retatrutide
Once weekly
Administration
Cagrilintide
Subcutaneous injection
Retatrutide
Subcutaneous injection
Cycle Length
Cagrilintide
Ongoing/indefinite
Retatrutide
12+ weeks
Onset Speed
Cagrilintide
Gradual (3-4 weeks)
Retatrutide
Moderate (1-2 weeks)
Evidence Level
Cagrilintide
Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)
Retatrutide
Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)
Efficacy
Benefit
ratings
Appetite Control
Weight Loss
GLP-1 Synergy
Weight Loss Power
Metabolic Health
Technical Data
Compound
specifications
Cagrilintide
Molecular Formula
C194H312N54O59S2
Molecular Weight
4409 g/mol
Half-Life
159-195 hours (~7-8 days)
Bioavailability
~100% (subcutaneous)
CAS Number
1415456-99-3
Retatrutide
Molecular Formula
C221H342N46O68
Molecular Weight
4731 g/mol
Half-Life
~6 days (allows once-weekly dosing)
Bioavailability
High via subcutaneous injection
CAS Number
2381089-83-2
Protocols
Dosing
tiers
Cagrilintide
Retatrutide
Applications
Best
suited for
Cagrilintide
Weight loss and appetite control
Cagrilintide excels at reducing hunger by mimicking amylin, a hormone your pancreas naturally releases after meals. Phase 2 trials showed people losing up to 10.8% of body weight with cagrilintide alone - and that's without combining it with other medications.
Boosting GLP-1 medication results
When you hit a plateau with semaglutide or want even better results, cagrilintide adds a second satiety pathway. The CagriSema combination achieved over 20% weight loss in clinical trials - significantly more than either drug alone.
People who want once-weekly convenience
Unlike older amylin medications that required three daily injections, cagrilintide's extended half-life of about a week means you only inject once weekly. Set a reminder on your phone and you're done.
Those seeking natural-feeling appetite reduction
Cagrilintide works by enhancing your body's own fullness signals rather than forcing you to eat less. Many users report feeling genuinely satisfied with smaller meals rather than fighting willpower battles.
Metabolic health improvement
Beyond weight loss, cagrilintide helps with blood sugar control and metabolic markers. It slows stomach emptying and reduces post-meal glucose spikes, making it valuable for people with or at risk for type 2 diabetes.
Retatrutide
Significant Obesity Management
If you need to lose a substantial amount of weight, retatrutide is showing unprecedented results. Phase 2 trials demonstrated average weight loss of 24% at the highest dose—that's nearly 60 pounds for someone weighing 250 lbs. No other medication has matched this.
Type 2 Diabetes with Obesity
Retatrutide tackles both problems at once. It dramatically improves blood sugar control (HbA1c reductions of up to 2%) while delivering major weight loss. The dual benefit makes it especially valuable for diabetics struggling with weight.
Metabolic Syndrome Warriors
If you're dealing with the cluster of issues that includes high blood sugar, excess belly fat, abnormal cholesterol, and high blood pressure, retatrutide's triple mechanism attacks multiple aspects of metabolic dysfunction simultaneously.
Fatty Liver Disease (MASLD)
Early research shows retatrutide may significantly reduce liver fat. For people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, this peptide offers hope through weight loss plus direct metabolic improvements that benefit liver health.
Safety Profile
Side
effects
Cagrilintide
Common
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Injection site reactions
Uncommon
- Vomiting
- Headache
Serious
- Severe allergic reactions
Retatrutide
Common
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Decreased appetite
Uncommon
- Increased heart rate
- Injection site reactions
Serious
- Pancreatitis
- Gallbladder problems
Research Status
Safety
& evidence
Cagrilintide
Evidence Level
Strong human trials (Phase 3 or FDA approved)
FDA Status
Not FDA approved
Safety Overview
Cagrilintide has been studied in multiple Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials involving thousands of participants. The safety profile is generally favorable, with most side effects being GI-related (nausea, constipation, diarrhea) that improve with time and gradual dose escalation. Serious adverse events are rare, and the drug was well-tolerated even at the highest studied doses.
Contraindications
- xPregnancy or breastfeeding
- xActive eating disorders
- xPersonal history of medullary thyroid carcinoma
- xSevere gastroparesis
Retatrutide
Evidence Level
Moderate human trials (Phase 1-2)
FDA Status
Research compound
Safety Overview
Retatrutide has shown a generally favorable safety profile in Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials involving over 600 participants. Most side effects are gastrointestinal and tend to improve over time. The medication appears well-tolerated when doses are increased gradually. No major safety signals have emerged, but larger Phase 3 trials are still ongoing.
Contraindications
- xPersonal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
- xMultiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- xPregnancy or planning to become pregnant
- xHistory of severe pancreatitis
- xKnown allergy to GLP-1 receptor agonists
Decision Guide
Which is
right for you?
Choose Cagrilintide if...
- Weight loss
- Appetite control
- Metabolic health
- GLP-1 augmentation
Choose Retatrutide if...
- Significant weight loss
- Type 2 diabetes management
- Metabolic health improvement
- Body composition optimization