Fat loss
Cagrilintide
Long-acting amylin agonist that adds synergistic weight loss on top of GLP-1 drugs.
Investigational (Phase 3) Fat loss Fitness & muscle
- Full name
- NN2640 (long-acting amylin receptor agonist)
- Also known as
- long-acting amylin analog, amylin agonist
- Regulatory status
- Investigational (Phase 3) | Pending FDA approval
Origin
Novo Nordisk built cagrilintide as a long-acting amylin receptor agonist derived from human amylin, the pancreatic hormone co-secreted with insulin. Lipidation technology extends its half-life for once-weekly dosing, unlike first-generation amylin analogs that needed daily injections. Development accelerated after Phase 2/3 data showed enhanced efficacy combined with semaglutide in the fixed-dose CagriSema.
Mechanism
Activates amylin receptors (AMYR) and calcitonin receptors (CTR) in the hindbrain and hypothalamus, suppressing appetite, slowing gastric emptying, and driving satiation through neural circuits distinct from GLP-1 agonism. Combined with a GLP-1 agonist, activation in complementary brain regions produces additive satiety.
Research summary
Evidence
Meta-analyses of Phase 2/3 trials show cagrilintide monotherapy produces about 6% body weight reduction; the CagriSema combination adds 7-10% weight loss beyond semaglutide alone. Adverse events are mostly gastrointestinal and dose-related, with no unexpected safety signals so far. Trials run 12-52 weeks; there's no data on safety or durability beyond 1-2 years.
Evidence tier: Investigational (Phase 3) — see the methodology note for how this is assessed.
Citations
- Maximizing weight loss with cagrisema: a systematic review and GRADE-assessed meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials — Khan et al. 2026
- Co-agonism of GLP-1R and CTR/AMYR in the lateral dorsal tegmental nucleus produces additive effects on homeostatic and motivated feeding — Sanchez-Navarro et al. 2026
Reported benefits
- weight loss (6-10% body weight reduction)
- reduced waist circumference
- improved glycemic control in diabetic subsets
- reduced hunger and food motivation
Dosing protocols reported in the literature & community
These are protocols reported by compounding pharmacies, published trials, or self-experimentation communities — not a prescription. Start low, especially for anything new.
| Route | Reported protocol |
|---|---|
| Subcutaneous injection | Once-weekly: escalation from 0.25 mg to target maintenance doses of 2.0-2.4 mg (monotherapy) or 2.4 mg when combined with semaglutide (CagriSema). |
Side effects
- nausea (dose-dependent)
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- gastric reflux
- injection site reactions
- fatigue
Safety notes
Community & reddit notes (anecdotal — not clinical evidence)
Anecdotal reports describe it as a potent satiety agent, more nausea-inducing than GLP-1 monotherapy alone. It's not available outside trials, and black-market sourcing brings potency variance and purity concerns.
Related peptides
Used in stacks
Community combinations that include Cagrilintide — see each stack page for the combination-specific rationale and evidence.