Peptide Profile
Cagrilintide
Long-acting amylin analog that supercharges satiety signals, delivering powerful appetite suppression and up to 10-15% weight loss with convenient once-weekly dosing.
Dose Range
0.3-4.5mg
Frequency
Once weekly
Route
Subcutaneous injection
Cycle Length
Ongoing/indefinite
Onset
Gradual (3-4 weeks)
Evidence
Strong
Compound Profile
Scientific & Efficacy Data
C194H312N54O59S2
Molecular Formula
4409 g/mol
Molecular Weight
159-195 hours (~7-8 days)
Half-Life
~100% (subcutaneous)
Bioavailability
1415456-99-3
CAS #
171397054
PubChem ID ↗
Developed By · 2021
Thomas Kruse
Novo Nordisk
Primary Benefits
Exceptional appetite suppression through dual amylin and calcitonin receptor activation, creating powerful and sustained satiety signals
Impressive 10-15% weight loss alone, or 20%+ when combined with semaglutide in the CagriSema combination
Uniquely designed to complement GLP-1 medications through an independent mechanism, dramatically enhancing results when combined
Amino Acid Sequence
Lys-Cys-Asn-Thr-Ala-Thr-Cys-Ala-Thr-Gln-Arg-Leu-Ala-Asn-Phe-Leu-Val-Arg-Ser-Ser-Asn-Asn-Leu-Gly-Pro-Val-Leu-Pro-Pro-Thr-Asn-Val-Gly-Ser-Asn-Thr-Tyr-NH2 (acylated with C18 diacid via gamma-Glu linker)Dosing
How much
do I take?
Starting Dose
0.3-0.6 mg
Start low to let your body adjust to the new satiety signals. Most people tolerate cagrilintide well, but starting slow helps minimize any GI discomfort.
Standard Dose
1.2-2.4 mg
The sweet spot for most people. This dose range provides meaningful appetite suppression and steady weight loss without overwhelming side effects.
Advanced Dose
4.5 mg
Maximum studied dose for those who tolerate lower doses well and want maximum effect. Often used in combination with semaglutide for enhanced results.
Timing
Best time to take
Same day each week, any time of day that works for your schedule
With food?
Can be taken with or without food - choose whatever is most convenient
If stacking
When combining with semaglutide (CagriSema), both can be injected on the same day. The combination is designed to be taken together for synergistic effects.
Adjusting Your Dose
Increase if
- +You have tolerated the current dose well for at least 4 weeks
- +Weight loss has slowed or plateaued
- +Appetite suppression effects have diminished
- +You want enhanced results and can handle potential increased side effects
Decrease if
- -Experiencing persistent nausea that affects quality of life
- -GI side effects are severe or not improving after 2 weeks
- -Rapid weight loss exceeding 2-3 lbs per week
- -Feeling excessively full or unable to eat adequate nutrition
Signs of right dose
- ✓Gradual, steady weight loss of 1-2 lbs per week
- ✓Noticeably reduced appetite without severe nausea
- ✓Feeling satisfied with smaller portions
- ✓Manageable or no side effects
Dosing Calculator
Calculate Your Exact Dose
Amount to Draw
10
units
Suitability
Is this
right for me?
Best For
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.
Consider Alternatives If
Who Should Avoid
Do not use if
- ×Pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant
- ×You have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
- ×You have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
- ×You have severe gastroparesis or serious GI motility disorders
- ×You have an active eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia)
- ×You have had a severe allergic reaction to amylin analogs
Use with caution if
- !You have a history of pancreatitis
- !You have gallbladder disease or history of gallstones
- !You have diabetic retinopathy
- !You are taking insulin or sulfonylureas (increased hypoglycemia risk)
- !You have significant kidney impairment
- !You have difficulty maintaining adequate nutrition
Administration
How do I
use it?
Reconstitution
What you need
- •Bacteriostatic water (BAC water)
- •Insulin syringe (29-31 gauge, 0.5-1mL)
- •Alcohol swabs
- •Sterile vial of cagrilintide powder
- •Sharps container for safe needle disposal
Injection
Route
Subcutaneous injection once weekly
Best sites
- •Abdomen (2 inches away from navel)
- •Front of thigh (middle third)
- •Upper arm (outer area)
- •Lower back area (above buttocks)
Technique
- 1.Wash hands thoroughly and clean injection site with alcohol swab
- 2.Let the alcohol dry completely - this reduces stinging
- 3.Pinch the skin to create a fold for easier injection
- 4.Insert needle at a 45-90 degree angle depending on body composition
- 5.Inject the medication slowly over 5-10 seconds
- 6.Hold for 10 seconds before removing needle, then release skin
Storage
Signs of degradation
Safety
Is it
safe?
Safety Profile
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.
Phase 2 trials included over 700 participants with follow-up periods up to 26 weeks. Phase 3 REDEFINE trials enrolled over 3,400 participants with 68-week follow-up. The combination with semaglutide (CagriSema) showed similar tolerability to semaglutide alone.
Common Side Effects
Experienced by some users
Nausea
The most frequently reported side effect, affecting 20-47% of users depending on dose. Usually mild and improves over the first few weeks.
Management: Start with lower doses and titrate slowly. Eat smaller, more frequent meals. Avoid greasy or heavy foods.
Constipation
Occurs due to slowed gastric emptying and reduced food intake. Reported in 15-25% of users.
Management: Increase fiber and water intake. Stay physically active. Consider a stool softener if needed.
Diarrhea
May occur especially during dose adjustments. Usually temporary and mild to moderate.
Management: Stay well hydrated. Avoid foods that trigger symptoms. Usually resolves within 1-2 weeks.
Injection site reactions
Mild redness, swelling, or itching at injection sites. Generally resolves quickly.
Management: Rotate injection sites regularly. Ensure proper injection technique. Apply ice if needed.
Less Common
- •Vomiting
- •Headache
These typically resolve with continued use or dose adjustment.
Stop and Seek Help If
- ×Severe allergic reaction (rash, swelling, difficulty breathing)
- ×Persistent severe nausea or vomiting not improving with dose reduction
- ×Signs of pancreatitis (severe abdominal pain radiating to back)
- ×Planned pregnancy or positive pregnancy test
- ×Inability to maintain adequate nutrition despite dose adjustments
- ×Any concerning symptoms your healthcare provider advises stopping for
Always consult your healthcare provider before stopping or modifying your dose. Do not stop abruptly without medical guidance, especially if you are also on diabetes medications.
Interactions
With other peptides
- ✓Designed to be combined - the CagriSema combination shows enhanced weight loss through complementary mechanisms
- ✓May be combined, but both affect appetite strongly - monitor for excessive appetite suppression
- ✓Generally safe to combine for gut support during weight loss
- !Do NOT combine - both are amylin analogs with overlapping mechanisms
With medications
- !Insulin - Increases hypoglycemia risk - insulin dose may need reduction, especially post-meal doses
- !Sulfonylureas - Increased hypoglycemia risk - may need dose adjustment with provider guidance
- ✓Metformin - Generally safe to combine - may provide complementary metabolic benefits
- ✓Oral medications - Slowed gastric emptying may affect absorption timing - take critical meds separately
With supplements
- ✓Protein supplements - Highly recommended to maintain muscle mass during weight loss
- ✓Fiber supplements - Can help with constipation - take with plenty of water
- ✓Multivitamins - Recommended as reduced food intake may limit nutrient intake
- ✓Electrolytes - Helpful if experiencing GI side effects to prevent dehydration
Effectiveness
Does it
work?
Evidence Level
Strong human trials
What to Expect
Week 1-4
What you might notice
- •Gradually decreasing appetite
- •Feeling full sooner during meals
- •Some nausea or GI discomfort (this is normal and usually improves)
- •Initial weight loss of 2-5 lbs
- •Changes in food preferences or cravings
What's normal
- •GI side effects are common early on - they typically improve
- •Appetite changes may be subtle at starting doses
- •Weight loss is just beginning - be patient
What's next
- →Continue at starting dose for the full titration period
- →Track any side effects to discuss with your provider
- →Prepare for potential dose increase after 4 weeks
Week 5-12
What you might notice
- •More pronounced appetite suppression
- •Steady weight loss of 1-2 lbs per week
- •GI side effects typically improving or resolved
- •Eating significantly smaller portions naturally
- •Reduced food noise and cravings
What's normal
- •Weight loss accelerates as dose increases
- •Your relationship with food begins to change
- •Some fluctuation week-to-week is normal
What's next
- →Continue dose titration per your provider's guidance
- →Focus on protein intake to preserve muscle mass
- →Consider adding or optimizing exercise routine
Week 13-26
What you might notice
- •Cumulative weight loss of 8-12% of starting weight
- •Sustained appetite control without constant effort
- •Improved metabolic markers on bloodwork
- •Better energy levels and mobility
- •Established new eating patterns
What's normal
- •Weight loss rate may slow but should continue
- •You've adapted to your new normal around food
- •Results are becoming visible to others
What's next
- →Discuss maintenance strategy with provider
- →Consider combination with semaglutide if results plateau
- →Continue healthy lifestyle habits for best results
Month 6+
What you might notice
- •Total weight loss potential of 10-15% alone, 20%+ with combination therapy
- •Sustained appetite control feels natural
- •Significant improvements in metabolic health markers
- •Maintained weight loss with continued treatment
What's normal
- •Weight may stabilize at a new set point
- •Continued treatment typically needed to maintain results
- •Periodic adjustments may be needed
What's next
- →Maintain treatment for long-term success
- →Regular follow-up with healthcare provider
- →Continue lifestyle modifications that support your results
Signs It's Working
Weight loss indicators
- ✓Clothes fitting more loosely
- ✓Scale showing consistent weekly weight reduction
- ✓Reduced waist circumference
- ✓Visible changes in body composition
- ✓Need to tighten belt or buy smaller sizes
Appetite and eating changes
- ✓Feeling satisfied with smaller portions
- ✓Reduced interest in snacking between meals
- ✓Less food noise and obsessive food thoughts
- ✓Natural preference for lighter, smaller meals
- ✓Ability to stop eating when full
Metabolic improvements
- ✓Better blood sugar readings (if monitored)
- ✓Improved fasting glucose on lab work
- ✓More stable energy throughout the day
- ✓Reduced post-meal sluggishness
- ✓Better cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Not Seeing Results?
Common reasons
- •Dose too low - may need to increase to therapeutic levels (2.4mg or higher)
- •Not enough time - meaningful results typically take 8-12 weeks at adequate doses
- •Calorie-dense liquid calories bypassing satiety signals - watch smoothies, alcohol, sugary drinks
- •Eating through fullness signals - pay attention to your body's cues
- •Inconsistent dosing schedule - must be same day each week for optimal levels
- •Unrealistic expectations - 1-2 lbs per week is healthy, sustainable weight loss
Key Research
"Once-weekly cagrilintide for weight management in people with overweight and obesity"
Lau DCW et al., 2021
Finding: Phase 2 trial showed cagrilintide at 4.5mg achieved 10.8% weight loss versus 3% with placebo over 26 weeks in 706 participants. The drug outperformed liraglutide 3.0mg (9.0% weight loss).
View Study"Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of cagrilintide with semaglutide"
Enebo LB et al., 2021
Finding: Phase 1b trial demonstrated that combining cagrilintide with semaglutide 2.4mg resulted in up to 17.1% weight loss at 20 weeks, with the combination being well-tolerated.
View Study"Coadministered Cagrilintide and Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity"
Garvey WT et al., 2025
Finding: The REDEFINE 1 Phase 3 trial showed CagriSema achieved 20.4% weight loss versus 3% with placebo over 68 weeks in 3,417 participants. Over half of participants lost 20% or more of body weight.
View Study"Development of Cagrilintide, a Long-Acting Amylin Analogue"
Kruse T et al., 2021
Finding: Describes the medicinal chemistry development of cagrilintide, explaining how lipidation extended the half-life from minutes (pramlintide) to approximately one week while maintaining receptor activity.
View Study"Efficacy and safety of CagriSema in type 2 diabetes"
Frias JP et al., 2023
Finding: In people with type 2 diabetes, CagriSema achieved 15.6% weight loss versus 5.1% with semaglutide alone over 32 weeks, with comparable HbA1c reductions and good tolerability.
View StudyFrequently Asked Questions