Cagrilintide (5mg)
Cagrilintide is a long-acting acylated analogue of the pancreatic hormone amylin, designed for weekly subcutaneous administration. It activates central amylin receptors to promote satiety, slow gastric emptying, and reduce food intake. In Phase 2 and 3 trials, cagrilintide produced dose-dependent weight loss.
Reviewed by the AllPeptides.eu Editorial Team·Last reviewed: 2026-06-16
Educational information. Not medical advice, and no efficacy claim is implied. Regulatory approval is not a use recommendation by AllPeptides.eu.
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Research monograph
See the full Cagrilintide encyclopedia page with mechanism, evidence tier, related variants and research context.
How It Works
Cagrilintide is an acylated, long-acting amylin analogue—a hormone co-secreted with insulin from pancreatic β-cells. Natural amylin promotes satiety, slows gastric emptying, and inhibits postprandial glucagon secretion. By acting on central amylin receptors (particularly in the area postrema and hindbrain), cagrilintide reduces appetite and energy intake. Lipid modifications extend its half-life to ~160–195 hours, enabling weekly dosing.
Quick Start
- Reconstitution: Add 3.0 mL of bacteriostatic water → ~1.67 mg/mL concentration.
- Typical weekly range: 0.6–4.5 mg once weekly (gradual titration over 4–6 weeks).
- Storage: Lyophilized: freezer −20 °C; post-reconstitution, refrigerator 2–8 °C; use within 30 days.
Typical / Gradual Approach (3 mL = ~1.67 mg/mL)
Route: Subcutaneously | Frequency: Once weekly
| Week | Dose | Units (per injection) |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 | 0.6 mg | 36 Units (0.36 mL) |
| Weeks 3–4 | 1.2 mg | 72 Units (0.72 mL) |
| Weeks 5–6 | 2.4 mg | 2 × 72 Units (0.72 mL) |
| Weeks 7–16 (Maintenance) | 4.5 mg | 3 × 90 Units (0.90 mL) |
Studies report administration once weekly on the same day. Doses >1.0 mL (100 units) require a 3 mL syringe with a suitable subcutaneous needle (25–27G). For lower starting doses (≤72 units), a U‑100 syringe provides excellent accuracy.
Related compounds
Reconstitution Steps
- Withdraw 3.0 mL of bacteriostatic water.
- Inject slowly down the side of the vial; avoid frothing.
- Gently swirl/rotate until fully dissolved (do not shake vigorously).
- Note the date and refrigerate at 2–8 °C; use within 30 days.
- Discard if cloudiness or particles appear.
Protocol Overview
- Goal: Support satiety, reduce food intake, and manage weight.
- Schedule: Weekly subcutaneous injections for 12–16 weeks (or longer).
- Storage: Lyophilized frozen; reconstituted refrigerated; avoid freeze-thaw cycles.
Dosing Protocol
- Initiation: 0.6 mg weekly for the first 2 weeks.
- Escalation: Double every 2 weeks (0.6 → 1.2 → 2.4 → 4.5 mg).
- Target: 4.5 mg weekly by weeks 7–8; maintain thereafter.
- Frequency: Once weekly (subcutaneously) on the same day.
- Timing: Any consistent time; rotate sites.
- Break between cycles: After a cycle, a 4–6 week washout period is recommended. Cagrilintide (an amylin agonist) has a prolonged action—the pause helps prevent potential tolerance.
Washout & Cycle Restart
When can I restart?
After a cycle, a 4–6 week washout period is recommended. Cagrilintide (an amylin agonist) has a prolonged action—the pause helps prevent potential tolerance.
Minimum wait period: 4 weeks
Storage Instructions
- Lyophilized: Store at −20 °C in dry, dark conditions.
- Reconstituted: Refrigerate 2–8 °C; use within 30 days; avoid freeze-thaw cycles.
- Allow vials to reach room temperature before opening.
Important Notes
- Gradual escalation minimizes gastrointestinal side effects (nausea).
Potential Benefits & Side Effects
Potential Benefits:
- Weight reduction: In a Phase 2 trial, cagrilintide 4.5 mg weekly produced ~10.8% body weight loss at 26 weeks.
- Combination therapy: When combined with semaglutide 2.4 mg (CagriSema), Phase 3 REDEFINE trials showed ~20% weight loss at 68 weeks.
- Dose-dependent efficacy: Higher doses (2.4–4.5 mg) demonstrate greater weight loss.
- Side effects: Primarily gastrointestinal—nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation—generally mild-to-moderate and transient.
- Occasional mild injection-site reactions.
Potential Side Effects:
- Nausea (20–47% depending on dose — the most common side effect).
- Injection-site reactions (up to 38%).
- Vomiting (10–20%).
- Constipation (8–16%).
- Diarrhea (8–14%).
- Decreased appetite (a therapeutic effect, but risk of undernutrition).
- Rare: pancreatitis, cholelithiasis.
⚠️ Serious Warnings & Long-Term Risks
The following warnings are based on published literature, FDA labels, and post-marketing surveillance. They do not constitute medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional.
Under evaluation: C-cell risk (in CagriSema combination)
Cagrilintide alone showed no signal, but the CagriSema combination is being evaluated in Phase 3.
📄 CagriSema Phase 3 — clinicaltrials.govReferences
- The Lancet (2021) — Weekly cagrilintide for weight management: a Phase 2 trial
View Source - Int J Mol Sci (2024) — Amylin: A Neuroendocrine Hormone for Obesity Treatment
View Source - N Engl J Med (2025) — REDEFINE 1: CagriSema in adults with overweight/obesity
View Source - J Med Chem (2021) — Development of cagrilintide: a long-acting amylin analogue
View Source - The Lancet (2023) — Efficacy and safety of CagriSema in type 2 diabetes: Phase 2
View Source
Recommended Supplements
Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)
Vitamin D3 + K2
Omega-3 Fish Oil (EPA/DHA)
Protein / Collagen
Fiber Supplement (Psyllium)
External Sources & Regulatory Status
Regulatory Approvals
Obesity (CagriSema)
Obesity (CagriSema)
Phase III (CagriSema)
Educational information. Not medical advice, and no efficacy claim is implied. Regulatory approval is not a use recommendation by AllPeptides.eu.
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