Cagrilintide and semaglutide curb appetite through different hormone systems, which is exactly why they're being developed together (as "CagriSema"). Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analog; semaglutide is a GLP-1 agonist. Semaglutide is an approved medicine; cagrilintide is investigational.
At a glance
| Cagrilintide | Semaglutide | |
|---|---|---|
| Drug class | Long-acting amylin analog | GLP-1 receptor agonist |
| Brand names | None (investigational) | Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus |
| FDA status | Investigational | Approved |
| Pathway | Amylin (satiety) | GLP-1 (appetite, glucose) |
| Dosing | Once weekly (in trials) | Once weekly (plus daily oral) |
| Often combined? | Yes — with semaglutide (CagriSema) | Yes — with cagrilintide (CagriSema) |
The bottom line
Bottom line: These aren't really rivals — they're complementary. Semaglutide is the proven, approved GLP-1 drug; cagrilintide is an investigational amylin analog acting through a separate satiety pathway. Combining them (CagriSema) aims to stack two mechanisms for greater weight loss, but cagrilintide is not yet approved on its own.
Frequently asked questions
What is cagrilintide?
Cagrilintide is a long-acting analog of the hormone amylin, studied for weight loss through a satiety pathway separate from GLP-1. It is investigational and not FDA-approved.
What is CagriSema?
CagriSema is the investigational combination of cagrilintide (an amylin analog) and semaglutide (a GLP-1 agonist), designed to combine two complementary appetite pathways for greater weight loss.
Is cagrilintide approved?
No. Cagrilintide is investigational. Semaglutide is the approved component; cagrilintide is still in clinical development.
References
Combined peer-reviewed sources from both peptide guides. Inclusion is not endorsement.
- Lau DCW, Erichsen L, Francisco AM, et al. Once-weekly cagrilintide for weight management in people with overweight and obesity: a phase 2 trial. Lancet. 2021. Journal article
- Enebo LB, Berthelsen KK, Kankam M, et al. Concomitant cagrilintide with semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight management: a randomised, controlled, phase 1b trial. Lancet. 2021. Peer-reviewed study
- Garvey WT, Blüher M, Osorto Contreras CK, et al. Coadministered Cagrilintide and Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. N Engl J Med. 2025. Peer-reviewed study
- Davies MJ, Bajaj HS, Broholm C, et al. Cagrilintide-Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. N Engl J Med. 2025. Peer-reviewed study
- Lau DCW, Erichsen L, Francisco AM, et al. Once-weekly cagrilintide for weight management in people with overweight and obesity: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled and active-controlled, dose-finding phase 2 trial. Lancet. 2021. Peer-reviewed study
- Frias JP, Deenadayalan S, Erichsen L, et al. Efficacy and safety of co-administered once-weekly cagrilintide 2·4 mg with once-weekly semaglutide 2·4 mg in type 2 diabetes: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, active-controlled, phase 2 trial. Lancet. 2023. Peer-reviewed study
- Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Calanna S, et al. Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (STEP 1). N Engl J Med. 2021. Peer-reviewed study
- Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, et al. Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Obesity without Diabetes (SELECT). N Engl J Med. 2023. Peer-reviewed study
- Chao AM, Tronieri JS, Amaro A, et al. Semaglutide for the treatment of obesity. Trends Cardiovasc Med. 2023. Peer-reviewed study
- Smits MM, Van Raalte DH. Safety of Semaglutide. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021. Peer-reviewed study
- Davies M, Færch L, Jeppesen OK, et al. Semaglutide 2·4 mg once a week in adults with overweight or obesity, and type 2 diabetes (STEP 2): a randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. Lancet. 2021. Peer-reviewed study
- Tan HC, Dampil OA, Marquez MM. Efficacy and Safety of Semaglutide for Weight Loss in Obesity Without Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J ASEAN Fed Endocr Soc. 2022. Peer-reviewed study