Cagrilintide
⥠Quick Description & Benefits
Long-acting amylin analog by Novo Nordisk. Activates amylin receptors (separate from GLP-1 pathway) to reduce appetite, slow gastric emptying, and promote satiety. Combined with semaglutide as "CagriSemia" (brand name: Ystegrity). Weekly subcutaneous injection.
Key Benefits:
- â Activates amylin receptors â a completely separate satiety pathway from GLP-1 agonists
- â Slows gastric emptying and reduces food intake
- â In CagriSemia trials (cagrilintide + semaglutide): ~22.7% average weight loss over 68 weeks â highest in any incretin trial to date
- â Complementary to GLP-1 agonists: non-overlapping mechanism means additive effect rather than redundancy
- â Reduces insulin resistance and improves cardiometabolic markers
đŦ Detailed Function & Research
Mechanism & Function
Long-acting amylin analog by Novo Nordisk. Activates amylin receptors (separate from GLP-1 pathway) to reduce appetite, slow gastric emptying, and promote satiety. Combined with semaglutide as "CagriSemia" (brand name: Ystegrity). Weekly subcutaneous injection. It operates by stimulating specific cellular receptors, activating downstream enzymatic pathways and physiological repair mechanisms without widespread systemic disturbance.
Research & Scientific Support
Extensive pre-clinical and translational models demonstrate consistent receptor affinity and regenerative signalling across controlled studies.
Protocol Notes:
- âĸ Developed by Novo Nordisk â combined with semaglutide as CagriSemia (FDA approved 2024 under brand name Ystegrity).
- âĸ Cagrilintide alone is NOT yet FDA-approved as a standalone drug â available only as part of CagriSemia in some markets.
- âĸ ~7 day half-life supports once-weekly dosing, same as semaglutide.
- âĸ Key advantage over GLP-1 agonists: targets amylin receptors (a different satiety pathway), so it stacks additively rather than redundantly.
- âĸ CagriSemia (cagrilintide + semaglutide) achieved ~22.7% weight loss â the highest in any incretin combination trial.
- âĸ Does NOT stack with Semaglutide or Tirzepatide standalone â when used as CagriSemia they are already combined; adding standalone GLP-1 on top is redundant.
- âĸ Available in 0.6 mg, 1.2 mg, and 2.4 mg prefilled pen doses.
𧎠Dosing & Reconstitution Calculator
Calculate syringe units or suggest optimal reconstitution solution volume
Volume Guideline: Most subcutaneous injections should fall between 10 and 20 units for optimal comfort, though certain peptides may feel better at volumes up to 60 units. Increments start at 1.0ml in 0.5ml steps.
đ Research Papers & Clinical Studies
Peer-reviewed research and indexed publications for Cagrilintide:
đ Dosing & Administration
Once weekly subcutaneous injection: âĸ Weeks 1-4: 0.6 mg once weekly âĸ Weeks 5-8: 1.2 mg once weekly âĸ Weeks 9+: 2.4 mg once weekly (standard maintenance) Rotate injection sites (abdomen, thigh, upper arm). In CagriSemia trials, cagrilintide 2.4 mg is combined with semaglutide 2.4 mg weekly.
đ Pairs Well With
â ī¸ Side Effects
- ! Nausea, vomiting (most common, usually mild-to-moderate and transient)
- ! Diarrhea, constipation, abdominal discomfort
- ! Decreased appetite
- ! Headache
- ! Injection site reactions
- ! Rare: gallbladder disease, pancreatitis
- ! Contraindicated with personal/family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 (class effect)