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Cagrilintide

Cagrilintide (AM833) is a novel long-acting lipidated amylin analog that acts as a dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist.

Also known as: Long-Acting Amylin Receptor Agonist, Weight Loss & Diabetes

Typical Dose 2.4 mg weekly
Storage Refrigerate reconstituted; store lyophilized powder away from light
How Often Once weekly

Overview

Cagrilintide (AM833) is a novel long-acting lipidated amylin analog that acts as a dual amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist. Developed for weight management and type 2 diabetes treatment, it shows superior weight loss potential when combined with semaglutide (CagriSema), with recent Phase 3 trials demonstrating up to 22.7% weight reduction.

Key Benefits

  • Superior Obesity Treatment
  • Type 2 Diabetes Weight Management
  • Sustained Weight Maintenance

FDA development candidate, extensive Phase 3 data, superior weight loss in combination with semaglutide, once-weekly convenience

Mechanism of Action

Subcutaneous injection provides optimal bioavailability of lipidated amylin analog, targeting dual amylin and calcitonin receptors for satiety and metabolic effects

Pharmacokinetics

Peak plasma concentration: 2 days. Elimination half-life: 7.5 days. Largely cleared by: ~37.5 days.

Research Protocols Injectable

GoalDoseFrequencyRoute
Weight Loss (Monotherapy)2.4 mg weeklyOnce weeklySubcutaneous
Weight Loss (CagriSema)2.4 mg + semaglutide 2.4 mgOnce weeklySubcutaneous
Type 2 Diabetes Management2.4 mg weeklyOnce weeklySubcutaneous
Dose Escalation Protocol0.25 mg → 0.5 mg → 1.0 mg → 1.7 mg → 2.4 mgWeekly increases over 16 weeksSubcutaneous
Combination Diabetes Therapy2.4 mg + SGLT2 inhibitorOnce weeklySubcutaneous
Cardiovascular Risk Reduction2.4 mg weeklyOnce weeklySubcutaneous

Research protocols from published literature — not dosing recommendations.

Peptide Interactions

  • Semaglutide — Synergistic: CagriSema combination demonstrates enhanced weight loss (22.7% vs 16.1% semaglutide alone) and improved glycemic control through complementary GLP-1 and amylin pathways.
  • Tirzepatide — Compatible: No known direct interactions. Both are effective weight loss agents with different mechanisms - cagrilintide targets amylin/calcitonin receptors while tirzepatide targets GLP-1/GIP receptors.
  • Retatrutide — Use Caution: Both cause significant GI effects (gastroparesis, nausea). Cagrilintide (amylin agonist) and Retatrutide (triple GLP-1/GIP/glucagon agonist) have different mechanisms but compounded GI side effects create substantial risk. Not recommended without specialist supervision.
  • Liraglutide — Compatible: Phase 2 trials show similar efficacy profiles with no adverse interactions. Both GLP-1 agonists and amylin analogs work through distinct satiety pathways.
  • Insulin — Monitor Combination: Monitor glucose levels closely as cagrilintide affects gastric emptying and may alter insulin absorption timing. May require insulin dose adjustments in diabetic patients.
  • Metformin — Compatible: Well-tolerated combination demonstrated in Phase 2/3 trials. No pharmacokinetic interactions observed between cagrilintide and metformin.
  • SGLT2 Inhibitors — Compatible: Clinical trials included patients on SGLT2 inhibitors with no safety concerns. Both mechanisms complement each other for diabetes and weight management.
  • Pramlintide — Avoid Combination: Both are amylin receptor agonists with overlapping mechanisms. Combination would provide no additional benefit and may increase risk of gastrointestinal side effects.
  • Oral Contraceptives — Requires Timing: Delayed gastric emptying may affect absorption of oral contraceptives. Space administration by 1 hour before cagrilintide injection.

Peptide Instructions Injectable

Supplies:

  • Pre-filled pen injector (when approved)
  • Bacteriostatic water (standard BAC water acceptable for <30 days use)
  • Optional: 0.6% acetic acid to adjust pH to ~4.0 for optimal stability
  • Alcohol swabs for injection site preparation
  • Sharps disposal container

How to Reconstitute Injectable

  1. 1Reconstitute slowly down side of vial, swirl gently (don't shake)
  2. 2Verify solution is clear - any cloudiness or particles indicates fibril formation, discard immediately
  3. 3Store refrigerated (2-8°C), inspect for clarity before each injection
  4. 4Allow to reach room temperature 15-30 minutes before injection
  5. 5Inject subcutaneously in abdomen, thigh, or upper arm, rotating sites weekly

What to Expect Injectable

Week 1-2: Gastrointestinal adaptation period, mild nausea possible during dose escalation. Week 4-8: Early weight loss becomes apparent (2-5%), appetite reduction noticeable. Week 12-26: Significant weight loss acceleration (10-15%), improved satiety signals. Week 26+: Peak efficacy achieved (15-23% weight loss), sustained weight loss maintenance with continued therapy.

Side Effects & Safety

Most common side effects are gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) during initial weeks. Anti-cagrilintide antibodies develop in 46-73% of patients but do not affect efficacy. No clinically significant QT prolongation observed in thorough QT studies. Only 57.3% of patients achieved maximum 2.4 mg dose in REDEFINE 1 trial. Formulation must be maintained at acidic pH (3.5-4.5) to prevent fibril formation and deamidation. Reconstituted solutions should be inspected for cloudiness or particles before each use.

Most common side effects are gastrointestinal (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) during initial weeks. Anti-cagrilintide antibodies develop in 46-73% of patients but do not affect efficacy. No clinically significant QT prolongation observed in thorough QT studies. Only 57.3% of patients achieved maximum 2.4 mg dose in REDEFINE 1 trial. Formulation must be maintained at acidic pH (3.5-4.5) to prevent fibril formation and deamidation. Reconstituted solutions should be inspected for cloudiness or particles before each use.

Community Insights

Cagrilintide should be stored at Store frozen at -20°C, protect from light, do not shake.

Molecular Information

Molecular Weight 4,409.01 Da
Length 37
Type Amylin receptor agonist
Sequence Lys-Cys-Asn-Thr-Ala-Thr-Cys-Ala-Thr-Gln-Arg-Leu-Ala-Asn-Phe-Leu-Val-His-Ser-Ser-Asn-Asn-Phe-Gly-Pro-Ile-Leu-Pro-Pro-Thr-Asn-Val-Gly-Ser-Asn-Thr-Tyr-NH₂

References

  1. Coadministered Cagrilintide and Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity Garvey, W.T., Blüher, M., Contreras, C.K.O., et al. · New England Journal of Medicine 2025
  2. Cagrilintide–Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes Davies, M.J., Bajaj, H.S., Broholm, C., et al. · New England Journal of Medicine 2025
  3. Structural and dynamic features of cagrilintide binding to calcitonin and amylin receptors Cao, J., Gholamrezaie, L., Donnelly, D., et al. · Nature Communications 2025
  4. REDEFINE 1 Trial - Phase 3 Weight Loss · 2025
  5. REDEFINE 2 Trial - Phase 3 Type 2 Diabetes · 2025
  6. Cagrilintide is not associated with clinically relevant QTc prolongation: A thorough QT study in healthy participants Gabe, M.B.N., Sonne, N., Liu, L., et al. · Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism 2024
  7. Efficacy and Safety of Cagrilintide Alone and in Combination with Semaglutide (Cagrisema) as Anti-Obesity Medications: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Dutta, D., Nagendra, L., Harish, B.G., et al. · Indian Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2024
  8. Cagrilintide: A Long-Acting Amylin Analog for the Treatment of Obesity D'Ascanio, A.M., Mullally, J.A., Frishman, W.H. · Cardiology in Review 2024
  9. Thorough QT Study - Cardiac Safety · 2024
  10. 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 Frias, J.P., Auerbach, P., Bajaj, H.S., et al. · The Lancet 2023
  11. Phase 2 Type 2 Diabetes Combination Study · 2023
  12. 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 Lau, D.C.W., Erichsen, L., Francisco, A.M., et al. · The Lancet 2021
  13. Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of concomitant administration of multiple doses of cagrilintide with semaglutide 2·4 mg for weight management: a randomised, controlled, phase 1b trial Enebo, L.B., Berthelsen, K.K., Kankam, M., et al. · The Lancet 2021
  14. Development of Cagrilintide, a Long-Acting Amylin Analogue Kruse, T., Glastrup, S., Moser, C., et al. · Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2021
  15. Phase 2 Dose-Finding Monotherapy Trial · 2021
  16. Phase 1b Safety and Pharmacokinetics Study · 2021

Research reference only. Not medical advice.