Cagrilintide vs Semaglutide
How they differ on evidence quality, dosing schedule, half-life and cost.
| Cagrilintide | Semaglutide | |
|---|---|---|
| Evidence grade | BHuman trials, not approved for this use | AApproved, phase 3 data |
| Studied for | Long-acting amylin weight peptide | GLP-1 weight-management peptide |
| Half-life | About 1 week | About 1 week |
| Schedule | Once weekly, subcutaneous | Once weekly, subcutaneous |
| Amount in research | 2.4 mg | 2.4 mg |
| Vial sizes sold | 5 mg, 10 mg | 5 mg, 10 mg |
| Cost | No verified price yet | No verified price yet |
Semaglutide has the stronger evidence base, graded A against B. Extensive phase 3 data. Approved as Ozempic and Wegovy. Cagrilintide sits lower because: Phase 1 through phase 3 data, mostly co-dosed with semaglutide. Not approved on its own. The gap is one grade, so this is a difference in how much human data exists rather than a verdict on which works better.
An evidence grade describes how strong the research is, and it is not a safety rating or a recommendation. A higher grade on an approved drug does not make a research-use version of it approved.
Cagrilintide
It activates amylin and calcitonin receptors that signal fullness, slow gastric emptying and reduce food intake. Amylin acts on hindbrain and hypothalamic circuits that complement GLP-1 signaling, which is why it is paired with semaglutide. A lipidation lets it bind albumin for once-weekly dosing. Human trials show added weight loss when combined with a GLP-1 agonist.
Semaglutide
It binds GLP-1 receptors in the pancreas to boost glucose-dependent insulin release and lower glucagon. In the brain it acts on appetite centers to increase fullness and slow gastric emptying, which reduces food intake. A fatty-acid chain lets it bind albumin, extending its half-life to about a week. This mechanism is confirmed by large human trials.
Cagrilintide
- Studied for additional body-weight reduction, especially alongside semaglutide
- May increase fullness and reduce food intake through amylin signaling
- Studied for improved glucose control when combined with a GLP-1 agonist
- May complement GLP-1 drugs through a separate appetite pathway
Semaglutide
- Studied for meaningful body-weight reduction in adults with overweight or obesity
- Studied for improved blood-sugar control and lower HbA1c in type 2 diabetes
- May reduce appetite and food cravings by acting on brain appetite centers
- Studied for cardiovascular risk reduction in people with diabetes and heart disease
Cagrilintide
- Nausea, vomiting and other gastrointestinal effects, worse during dose increases
- Injection-site reactions
- Possible low blood sugar when stacked with other glucose-lowering agents
- Appetite suppression that can reduce nutritional intake
Semaglutide
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation, especially during dose increases
- Risk of gallstones and, rarely, pancreatitis
- May cause dehydration and, in some, low blood sugar when combined with other agents
- Injection-site reactions and appetite loss that can affect nutrition
Which has better evidence, Cagrilintide or Semaglutide?
Semaglutide, graded A against B. Extensive phase 3 data. Approved as Ozempic and Wegovy.
How do the dosing schedules differ?
Cagrilintide: Once weekly, subcutaneous. Semaglutide: Once weekly, subcutaneous.
How do their half-lives compare?
Cagrilintide: About 1 week. Semaglutide: About 1 week. Half-life is what the dosing frequency follows from.
Can Cagrilintide and Semaglutide be studied together?
Some research protocols pair compounds and some do not. There is no combined trial data for this pairing on file here, so treat any stacking claim you read elsewhere as untested.
Cagrilintide
Long-acting amylin weight peptideA weekly amylin peptide studied for appetite control, usually paired with semaglutide.
BHuman trials, not approved for this useSemaglutide
GLP-1 weight-management peptideA once-weekly GLP-1 peptide studied for lowering blood sugar and reducing appetite.
AApproved, phase 3 data