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    Fat Loss & Metabolic•Updated 2026-03-13•9 min read

    What Is Cagrilintide? Benefits, Research & Safety

    A long-acting amylin analogue developed by Novo Nordisk, researched for its role in appetite regulation, satiety signalling, and weight management, including as part of the CagriSema combination with semaglutide.

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    Also known as:
    NN9838-0287
    AM833
    BModerate human evidenceUK: Unlicensed (UK)WADA: Sport status unclear

    UK summary: Investigational long-acting amylin analogue from Novo Nordisk. Phase 3 evaluation as CagriSema (with semaglutide). Not currently a UK-licensed medicine; access is via clinical trial participation only.

    Quick Facts

    Category
    Fat Loss & Metabolic
    Half-Life
    Approximately 5 days (roughly 120 hours), supporting once-weekly dosing; achieved through albumin-binding fatty acid acylation technology
    UK Status
    Not approved by the MHRA. Cagrilintide is an investigational compound; CagriSema is in Phase 3 clinical development.
    EU Status
    Not authorised by the European Medicines Agency. Phase 3 trials for CagriSema are ongoing.

    Overview

    Cagrilintide (AM833) is an investigational long-acting amylin receptor agonist developed by Novo Nordisk. It is a synthetic analogue of amylin, a peptide hormone co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic beta cells in response to meals. Amylin plays a physiological role in regulating appetite, gastric emptying, and post-prandial glucose levels, making it an attractive target for weight management therapies. Cagrilintide was engineered to overcome the limitations of pramlintide (Symlin), the only previously approved amylin analogue, which requires multiple daily injections due to its short duration of action. Through strategic amino acid modifications and acylation with a fatty acid side chain, cagrilintide achieves a substantially extended half-life that supports once-weekly subcutaneous dosing. The compound is being developed both as a standalone therapy and, perhaps more significantly, as part of CagriSema — a fixed-dose combination with semaglutide 2.4 mg. The rationale for this combination lies in the complementary mechanisms of amylin and GLP-1 signalling, which together may produce greater appetite suppression and weight loss than either agent alone. Clinical trials have demonstrated that CagriSema can achieve weight reductions exceeding 20% of baseline body weight, placing it among the most effective investigational anti-obesity treatments. Cagrilintide is not approved for human use by any regulatory authority including the MHRA or EMA. All information presented here is for educational purposes based on published research.
    Evidence standards summary

    Cagrilintide — evidence and risk at a glance

    Twenty standard modules scored against the Peptide Authority evidence grading methodology. Missing modules indicate the field has not yet been characterised editorially — treat absences as uncertainty rather than reassurance.

    01Evidence snapshot

    BModerate human evidenceOverall grade against our evidence grading methodology.

    Investigational long-acting amylin analogue from Novo Nordisk. Phase 3 evaluation as CagriSema (with semaglutide). Not currently a UK-licensed medicine; access is via clinical trial participation only.

    02Human evidence grade

    BModerate human evidenceStrength of evidence from published human trials.

    03Preclinical evidence grade

    AStrong human evidenceAnimal-model and in-vitro evidence quality.

    04Regulatory status

    • UK: Not approved by the MHRA. Cagrilintide is an investigational compound; CagriSema is in Phase 3 clinical development.
    • EU: Not authorised by the European Medicines Agency. Phase 3 trials for CagriSema are ongoing.
    • Notes: Cagrilintide is primarily being developed as part of the CagriSema combination with semaglutide. The REDEFINE Phase 3 clinical programme is evaluating CagriSema across multiple indications including obesity and type 2 diabetes. Novo Nordisk has indicated plans for regulatory submissions based on Phase 3 data. Standalone cagrilintide is not currently being pursued as a separate commercial product.

    05Approved medical uses

    None in the UK or EU as a finished medicine. (Or: not yet documented; treat as absence rather than approval.)

    06Unapproved / promotional claims

    • Available now for UK private prescription.
    • Better than tirzepatide for weight loss.
    • Safe to use as monotherapy or with semaglutide at home.
    • Same as the licensed CagriSema combination.

    07Common internet claims

    • Marketed by grey-market vendors in 'CagriSema' bundles with semaglutide.
    • Sold by online retailers as research-only injectable.
    • Promoted in pre-launch weight-loss communities ahead of Novo Nordisk regulatory submission.

    08Claim vs evidence

    ClaimEvidenceHuman evidence?Regulatory concernSafer wording
    “Available for UK weight management”ENoHighCagrilintide is investigational; not licensed in the UK or anywhere. Sellers offering it are operating outside the regulated supply chain.
    “CagriSema is more effective than Wegovy alone”BYesLowPhase 3 trial data are encouraging; UK availability awaits regulatory submission and approval.

    09Safety uncertainty score

    Very high

    Effectively no human safety data; safety claims are extrapolations from animal work or anecdote.

    10Known adverse signals

    • Phase 3 trial profile: nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite.
    • Unknown long-term safety; first amylin-receptor agonist of its kind in development.
    • Sterility and identity of grey-market product entirely unverified.
    • Theoretical risk of combining unverified cagrilintide with licensed semaglutide.

    11Drug-interaction uncertainty

    High

    Interaction picture sparse; meaningful uncertainty when combined with other medicines.

    12Anti-doping status

    WADA: Sport status unclearWADA strict-liability framing applies.

    13UK legal position

    UK: Unlicensed (UK)

    Not approved by the MHRA. Cagrilintide is an investigational compound; CagriSema is in Phase 3 clinical development.

    Read the full UK legal guide → Semaglutide and UK law

    14EU legal position

    Not authorised by the European Medicines Agency. Phase 3 trials for CagriSema are ongoing.

    15What this page cannot tell you

    • Whether a UK-purchased 'cagrilintide' vial contains the drug at any concentration.
    • Whether combining grey-market cagrilintide with a licensed GLP-1 is safe.
    • What dose is appropriate in any individual outside the clinical-trial protocol.
    • Whether and when MHRA approval will materialise.

    16Last reviewed

    Last reviewed:

    Next review due:

    Spotted an error or something out of date? Send a correction.

    17Citation quality score

    BModerate human evidenceQuality of the sources we cite, graded against the evidence grading methodology.

    18Research gaps

    • REDEFINE and other Phase 3 trial results pending or recently published.
    • Cardiovascular outcome data not yet finalised.
    • Long-term real-world safety impossible — drug is not licensed.

    19Safer alternatives / established care pathways

    • Licensed Wegovy (semaglutide) or Mounjaro (tirzepatide) via NHS or GMC-registered prescriber.
    • Enrolment in a registered cagrilintide / CagriSema Phase 3 trial.
    • NHS Tier 2 / 3 weight management programme.

    Related Safety Centre page → Unlicensed peptide risks

    20Doctor discussion prompts

    Questions to ask a qualified clinician

    These are starter questions you can adapt for a GP, specialist, pharmacist, or anti-doping advisor. The aim is to help you have a better-informed conversation — not to replace one.

    • Is cagrilintide / CagriSema licensed in the UK yet?
    • Are there UK clinical trials I could join?
    • What licensed weight-management options should I consider in the meantime?

    Discovery & History

    Cagrilintide was developed by Novo Nordisk, building upon decades of research into amylin biology and the clinical experience gained from pramlintide (Symlin), which was approved in 2005 for the treatment of diabetes as an adjunct to insulin therapy. Whilst pramlintide demonstrated the therapeutic potential of amylin receptor agonism, its requirement for three-times-daily injections limited its commercial success and practical utility. Novo Nordisk's peptide engineering team set out to create a long-acting amylin analogue that could be administered once weekly. Using their extensive expertise in peptide acylation technology — the same approach that enabled the development of semaglutide — they designed cagrilintide with a fatty acid side chain that promotes binding to albumin in the circulation, dramatically extending its half-life from minutes to approximately five days. The compound entered Phase 1 clinical trials around 2018, with initial studies establishing its pharmacokinetic profile and confirming that once-weekly dosing maintained therapeutic amylin receptor activation throughout the dosing interval. Early efficacy signals were encouraging, prompting Novo Nordisk to advance the programme rapidly. A pivotal strategic decision was the development of CagriSema, combining cagrilintide with the already-successful semaglutide. This combination was based on preclinical evidence suggesting that amylin and GLP-1 receptor agonism engage distinct but complementary appetite-regulating pathways in the brain, potentially offering additive or synergistic weight loss effects. The CagriSema programme entered Phase 3 clinical trials in 2022, representing one of the most anticipated developments in the obesity therapeutics pipeline.

    Mechanism of Action

    Cagrilintide exerts its biological effects through agonism of amylin receptors, which are heterodimeric complexes formed by the calcitonin receptor (CTR) combined with receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs). These receptors are distributed across several brain regions critical for appetite regulation and metabolic control. **Central Appetite Regulation** Amylin receptors are highly expressed in the area postrema and the nucleus of the solitary tract in the brainstem — regions that lack a complete blood-brain barrier and are therefore accessible to circulating peptide hormones. Activation of these receptors by cagrilintide promotes satiety signalling, reducing meal size and overall caloric intake. Amylin receptor activation also engages hypothalamic circuits involved in longer-term energy balance regulation, potentially influencing body weight set point. **Gastric Emptying Modulation** Like its endogenous counterpart, cagrilintide slows the rate of gastric emptying. This deceleration of nutrient transit through the upper gastrointestinal tract prolongs the contact of nutrients with intestinal enteroendocrine cells, enhancing the release of satiety-promoting gut hormones. Slower gastric emptying also contributes to sustained feelings of fullness after meals and reduces post-prandial glucose excursions. **Complementary Action with GLP-1 (CagriSema Rationale)** The scientific rationale for combining cagrilintide with semaglutide in CagriSema rests on the observation that amylin and GLP-1 engage partially distinct neuronal populations in appetite-regulating brain centres. Whilst GLP-1 primarily acts on GLP-1 receptors in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and paraventricular nucleus, amylin predominantly activates receptors in the area postrema and lateral parabrachial nucleus. By engaging both pathways simultaneously, the combination may achieve greater appetite suppression than either mechanism alone — a hypothesis supported by clinical trial data showing superior weight loss with CagriSema compared to semaglutide monotherapy. **Glucoregulatory Effects** Amylin receptor agonism contributes to glycaemic control through multiple mechanisms: suppression of post-prandial glucagon secretion, slowing of gastric emptying (reducing the rate of glucose appearance in the circulation), and potential direct effects on hepatic glucose handling. These effects complement the insulin secretagogue and glucagonostatic properties of GLP-1 receptor agonists. **Potential Effects on Food Reward** Emerging research suggests that amylin signalling may modulate the hedonic aspects of eating — the pleasure-driven motivation to consume palatable foods — through interactions with mesolimbic dopaminergic pathways. This effect could contribute to reduced cravings and decreased preference for energy-dense foods, though further research is needed to fully characterise this mechanism in humans.

    Researched Benefits

    Based on preclinical and clinical research findings:

    • 1
      Significant appetite suppression and reduced caloric intake through central amylin receptor activation in brainstem satiety centres
    • 2
      Clinically meaningful weight loss as monotherapy, with enhanced efficacy when combined with semaglutide in the CagriSema combination (exceeding 20% body weight reduction)
    • 3
      Improved post-prandial glycaemic control through suppression of glucagon secretion and modulation of gastric emptying rate
    • 4
      Reduction in HbA1c levels in participants with type 2 diabetes, supporting potential dual benefits for weight and glycaemic management
    • 5
      Decreased waist circumference and visceral adiposity, suggesting favourable effects on body fat distribution
    • 6
      Potential reduction in cardiovascular risk markers including improvements in blood pressure and lipid profiles
    • 7
      Sustained weight management with once-weekly dosing, improving adherence compared to short-acting amylin analogues
    • 8
      Possible modulation of food reward pathways, contributing to reduced cravings for energy-dense foods

    Claim vs Evidence

    How popular claims about Cagrilintide stack up against the current research, graded using our public evidence grading methodology.

    ClaimEvidenceHuman evidence?Regulatory concernSafer wording
    “Available for UK weight management”ENoHighCagrilintide is investigational; not licensed in the UK or anywhere. Sellers offering it are operating outside the regulated supply chain.
    “CagriSema is more effective than Wegovy alone”BYesLowPhase 3 trial data are encouraging; UK availability awaits regulatory submission and approval.

    Theoretical Dosing & Protocols

    ⚠️ Educational Only: The following information is derived from research literature and is not a prescription or recommendation. No standardised human dosing exists. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.
    Theoretical Dosage2.4 mg as monotherapy; 2.4 mg cagrilintide combined with 2.4 mg semaglutide in CagriSema (dose escalation protocols used in clinical trials start at lower doses)
    FrequencyOnce weekly subcutaneous injection
    DurationClinical trials have evaluated treatment periods of 68 weeks and longer; duration in practice to be determined by clinical guidelines upon approval
    NotesThese protocols reflect published clinical trial designs and are not prescriptive recommendations. Cagrilintide is an investigational compound not approved for human use. Dose escalation is employed in clinical trials to improve gastrointestinal tolerability. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.

    Administration Routes

    Routes studied in research settings (educational only):

    • Subcutaneous injection (sole route investigated in clinical trials)
    Half-LifeStability
    Approximately 5 days (roughly 120 hours), supporting once-weekly dosing; achieved through albumin-binding fatty acid acylation technologySupplied as a solution for injection in pre-filled pen devices in clinical trial settings; storage typically at 2-8°C as per investigational product handling protocols

    Safety Profile & Known Risks

    Commonly Reported Side Effects

    • Nausea, particularly during initial dose escalation (most commonly reported adverse event)
    • Vomiting, generally transient and decreasing over time with continued treatment
    • Diarrhoea, more frequent at higher doses
    • Injection site reactions including erythema, pain, and pruritus at the injection site
    • Decreased appetite (pharmacologically related to mechanism of action)
    • Abdominal discomfort or dyspepsia

    Rare Risks & Concerns

    • Hypoglycaemia, particularly when combined with insulin or insulin secretagogues (more relevant in diabetic populations)
    • Acute pancreatitis (theoretical class concern; monitored in clinical trials)
    • Cholelithiasis associated with rapid weight loss
    • Anti-drug antibody formation (monitored in clinical programmes; clinical significance not fully established)

    Contraindications

    • Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (precaution related to the semaglutide component in CagriSema)
    • Multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2)
    • Pregnancy and breastfeeding (no safety data; excluded from clinical trials)
    • Known hypersensitivity to cagrilintide, semaglutide (for CagriSema), or any excipients
    • Severe gastroparesis (amylin agonists further slow gastric emptying)

    UK & EU Regulatory Context

    🇬🇧 United Kingdom

    Not approved by the MHRA. Cagrilintide is an investigational compound; CagriSema is in Phase 3 clinical development.

    🇪🇺 European Union

    Not authorised by the European Medicines Agency. Phase 3 trials for CagriSema are ongoing.

    Cagrilintide is primarily being developed as part of the CagriSema combination with semaglutide. The REDEFINE Phase 3 clinical programme is evaluating CagriSema across multiple indications including obesity and type 2 diabetes. Novo Nordisk has indicated plans for regulatory submissions based on Phase 3 data. Standalone cagrilintide is not currently being pursued as a separate commercial product.

    Clinical Studies Summary

    CagriSema Versus Semaglutide Monotherapy or Placebo for Obesity: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials with GRADE Assessment.

    CagriSema therapy was associated with superior weight reduction compared with semaglutide or placebo. In conclusion, CagriSema achieves greater weight loss than semaglutide or placebo but increases gastrointestinal adverse events, warranting careful tolerability monitoring and longer-term data.

    Am J Cardiol. 2026View on PubMed

    Efficacy and Safety of Cagrilintide and Cagrisema Versus Semaglutide as Anti-Obesity Medications: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression.

    Cagrisema is more effective than semaglutide in reducing weight and increasing glycemic control. Cagrisema is safe and has a comparable side effect profile to currently accepted treatments. This regimen has enormous potential in dual-agonist therapy for obese patients.

    Diabetes Obes Metab. 2026View on PubMed

    Comparative Effectiveness of CagriSegma, Semaglutide, Cagrilintide and Tirzepatide in the Management of Overweight and Obesity: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

    Tirzepatide 15 mg and CagriSema achieve the greatest weight reduction, including ≥ 20% body weight loss. Gastrointestinal adverse events rise with treatment intensity, while serious adverse events remain comparable to placebo. These findings support dual-pathway and combination incretin therapies as preferred options for patients requiring substantial weight loss.

    Endocrinol Diabetes Metab. 2026View on PubMed

    Comparative effectiveness of GLP-1 receptor agonists on glycaemic control, body weight, and lipid profile for type 2 diabetes: systematic review and network meta-analysis.

    GLP-1RAs are efficacious in treating adults with type 2 diabetes. Compared with the placebo, tirzepatide was the most effective GLP-1RA drug for glycaemic control by reducing haemoglobin A1c and fasting plasma glucose concentrations. GLP-1RAs also significantly improved weight management for type 2 diabetes, with CagriSema performing the best for weight loss.

    BMJ. 2024View on PubMed

    Efficacy and safety of GLP-1RAs for people with obesity: A systematic review based on RCT and Bayesian network meta-analysis.

    CagrANDsema exerts the best effect for weight loss. In terms of current dose levels, a higher dose gets better weight-loss effects without increasing the risk of adverse events.

    Biomed Pharmacother. 2024View on PubMed

    CagriSema Reduces Blood Pressure in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: REDEFINE 1.

    CagriSema presents clinically relevant reductions in BP across a wide range of participant subgroups, including those with resistant hypertension.

    Hypertension. 2026View on PubMed

    Registered Trials & Regulatory Status

    Registered trials
    39
    Currently recruiting
    9
    Furthest phase
    Phase 3
    Approved product
    No

    19 of 20 completed trials have never posted results. Unreported trials are not neutral: results that go unpublished are more often negative ones.

    A Research Study to See How Much CagriSema Lowers Blood Sugar and Body Weight Compared to Placebo in Children and Adolescents With Type 2 Diabetes

    PHASE3

    Status: Not Yet Recruiting · 80 participants · Novo Nordisk A/S

    Conditions: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2

    No results postedNCT07282613

    Evaluation of the Tolerability of Cagrilintide in Participants Not Tolerating GLP-1-RA Therapies Due to Gastrointestinal Adverse Events

    PHASE1

    Status: Recruiting · 114 participants · Novo Nordisk A/S

    Conditions: Obesity, Overweight

    No results postedNCT07607587

    A Research Study to Compare Blood Levels of Two Different Versions of Cagrilintide in Adults With Excess Body Weight

    PHASE1

    Status: Active Not Recruiting · 50 participants · Novo Nordisk A/S

    Conditions: Overweight, Obesity

    No results postedNCT07605052

    A Research Study to Compare Blood Levels of Cagrilintide After Multiple Doses of Different Versions of Cagrilintide in Adults With Overweight or Obesity

    PHASE1

    Status: Recruiting · 234 participants · Novo Nordisk A/S

    Conditions: Obesity, Overweight

    No results postedNCT07597018

    A Research Study Looking Into How Cagrilintide Influences Food Intake and Appetite in People With Overweight or Obesity

    PHASE1

    Status: Recruiting · 120 participants · Novo Nordisk A/S

    Conditions: Overweight, Obesity

    No results postedNCT07557953

    Understanding the Effect of CagriSema, Cagrilintide, and Semaglutide on Muscle Health (Role of Amylin Signature in Muscle Health)

    PHASE1

    Status: Recruiting · 100 participants · Novo Nordisk A/S

    Conditions: Obesity

    No results postedNCT07527195

    A Study Looking at How Weekly Injections of Two Hormones - GIP and Amylin - Affect Stomach-related Side Effects in People Who Are Overweight or Obese

    PHASE1

    Status: Recruiting · 100 participants · Novo Nordisk A/S

    Conditions: Overweight, Obese

    No results postedNCT07411560

    A Research Study on How Well Cagrilintide and CagriSema Work in Children and Adolescents With Excess Body Weight

    PHASE3

    Status: Recruiting · 460 participants · Novo Nordisk A/S

    Conditions: Overweight, Obesity

    No results postedNCT07253285

    Weight Loss in People Living With Overweight or Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Following Treatment With Cagrilintide

    PHASE3

    Status: Active Not Recruiting · 330 participants · Novo Nordisk A/S

    Conditions: Overweight, Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes

    No results postedNCT07220759

    Weight Loss in People Living With Overweight or Obesity Following Treatment With Cagrilintide

    PHASE3

    Status: Active Not Recruiting · 300 participants · Novo Nordisk A/S

    Conditions: Obesity, Overweight

    No results postedNCT07220642

    A Study to See How Metabolism is Influenced by Weight Loss Due to Intervention With Cagrilintide and Semaglutide Compared to Diet

    PHASE1

    Status: Recruiting · 80 participants · Novo Nordisk A/S

    Conditions: Obesity

    No results postedNCT07184086

    The Role of the Amylin Analogue Cagrilintide in Bone Metabolism

    PHASE1

    Status: Recruiting · 144 participants · Novo Nordisk A/S

    Conditions: Obesity

    No results postedNCT07010432

    Adverse event reports (FDA FAERS)

    Not applicable: no licensed product contains this peptide, so it is not reported through FAERS. This is an absence of surveillance, not evidence of safety.

    Source: ClinicalTrials.gov and openFDA. Updated automatically.

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Questions to ask a qualified clinician about Cagrilintide

    These are starter questions you can adapt for a GP, specialist, pharmacist, or anti-doping advisor. The aim is to help you have a better-informed conversation — not to replace one.

    • Is cagrilintide / CagriSema licensed in the UK yet?
    • Are there UK clinical trials I could join?
    • What licensed weight-management options should I consider in the meantime?

    UK regulatory & safety context

    Semaglutide and UK law

    UK legal reference

    Unlicensed peptide risks

    Safety Centre guide

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