CagriSema for Weight Loss: Study Results, Availability, and How Other GLP-1s Compare

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications such as Wegovy (semaglutide) and Zepbound (tirzepatide) have reshaped the approach to weight loss. But they’re just the beginning. Several next-generation GLP-1-based treatments are in development, including CagriSema, which could be available in the near future.

Similar to Wegovy and Zepbound, CagriSema is administered as a once-weekly, subcutaneous (under-the-skin) injection. But it consists of cagrilintide and semaglutide, targeting multiple pathways that regulate appetite and fullness. 

How does CagriSema compare to other GLP-1s, and when might it be available? Here’s what you need to know.

What is CagriSema?

CagriSema is an investigational medication being developed for weight loss, Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular risk reduction. It consists of two active ingredients given as a once-weekly injection:

• Cagrilintide: a new long-acting amylin analog

• Semaglutide: a GLP-1 receptor agonist found in Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus

These ingredients typically can’t be mixed into a single solution, so it was thought that CagriSema would need to come in a dual-chamber pen injector. This pen would keep the medications separate until the time of injection and then deliver both at the same time. However, the manufacturer recently tested CagriSema in a single-chamber FlexTouch pen (the same one used for Ozempic), which would make the medication easier to make and use. 

How does CagriSema work for weight loss?

Cagrilintide and semaglutide mimic natural gut and pancreatic hormones that help regulate appetite, digestion, and blood glucose (blood sugar) levels, but they act on different pathways. When used together, they enhance each other’s effects for greater results than either medication can deliver alone.

Cagrilintide mimics amylin, a hormone that’s released by the pancreas with insulin after eating. It helps:

• Slow stomach emptying

• Increase feelings of fullness so you eat less

• Manage postmeal blood sugar spikes

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• What’s coming next: Learn about new weight-loss medications that are currently being developed, including how they work and where they are in the process.

• How it works: Semaglutide is one of the active ingredients in CagriSema. Here’s what you should know about semaglutide for weight loss.

• GLP-1 comparison: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications such as semaglutide are FDA approved for Type 2 diabetes and weight loss, among other uses. Here’s how GLP-1s compare.

Semaglutide works by mimicking a gut hormone called GLP-1, which has the following effects:

• Increases insulin release after a meal

• Reduces sugar production in the liver

• Slows how quickly food leaves the stomach

• Reduces hunger by acting on the appetite centers in the brain

How effective is CagriSema for weight loss?

CagriSema has been studied in people with a larger body size. Here’s a summary of key results after 68 weeks (almost 16 months) of treatment.

In people who didn’t have Type 2 diabetes, CagriSema fell slightly short of the company’s 25% weight-loss target, possibly because only about half of the participants reached the highest dose. The manufacturer is now planning to do a longer trial in 2025 that will focus on adjusting doses to give participants more time to safely work up to the highest dose.

In addition to weight loss, CagriSema is also being studied for potential cardiovascular benefits. And in another study, it’s being directly compared to Zepbound, which has shown to be the most effective weight-loss medication on the market so far.

What are the potential side effects and safety considerations for CagriSema?

The most common side effects reported with CagriSema are similar to those seen with other GLP-1 medications. These side effects include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Constipation

• Loss of appetite

These effects are generally mild to moderate and may lessen over time. Serious side effects have been rare. But CagriSema may not be safe for everyone. Similar to other GLP-1s, it may not be recommended for people who:

• Have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer

• Have multiple endocrine neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)

• Have a severe digestive disorder, such as gastroparesis

• Are pregnant or nursing

How does CagriSema compare to other GLP-1s?

If approved, CagriSema will work differently compared to other GLP-1 medications on the market. Compared to semaglutide alone, it has resulted in greater weight loss. And we’ll know more about how it compares to tirzepatide once the head-to-head trial results are available.

Here’s an overview of GLP-1 study results for weight loss.

When will CagriSema be available?

As mentioned above, the manufacturer is planning a new trial in 2025. But because of positive results from clinical trials, they plan to submit an application for FDA approval in early 2026.

If approved, CagriSema could be available as soon as late 2026. Additional trials are still underway to better understand its long-term benefits and how it compares to other leading treatments.

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Written by:

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD

Alyssa Billingsley, PharmD, is the director of pharmacy content for GoodRx. She has over a decade of experience as a pharmacist and has worked in clinical, academic, and administrative roles.

Reviewed by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

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