Cagrilintide
Long-acting amylin analogue that provides powerful appetite control through a completely different receptor pathway than GLP-1s.
Last updated: May 2026
Category
Weight Loss (Amylin Analogue)
Frequency
Once weekly injection
Research
Phase 3 Clinical TrialsWhat is Cagrilintide?
Cagrilintide is a long-acting analogue of amylin, a naturally occurring peptide hormone co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic beta cells after meals. Amylin normally signals satiety to the brain and slows gastric emptying, Cagrilintide amplifies and extends these effects dramatically. It's one of the newer entries in the weight loss peptide category.
Developed by Novo Nordisk, Cagrilintide is being studied both as a standalone weight loss agent and in combination with semaglutide (as "CagriSema"). In Phase 2 trials, Cagrilintide alone produced ~10.8% weight loss over 26 weeks. When combined with semaglutide 2.4mg, the CagriSema combination produced approximately 15.6% weight loss, suggesting significant synergy.
The key advantage of Cagrilintide is that it works through amylin receptors rather than GLP-1 receptors, making it an excellent stack partner with GLP-1 agonists like tirzepatide. Its mechanism produces a different pattern of satiety, users report feeling less focused on food throughout the day rather than nausea-driven appetite loss.
How It Works
Amylin Receptor Agonism: Activates amylin receptors in the area postrema and nucleus tractus solitarius of the brain, regions involved in satiety signaling and nausea regulation. This differs from GLP-1 receptor locations.
Gastric Emptying: Slows the rate at which food leaves the stomach, extending the feeling of fullness after meals and blunting postprandial glucose spikes.
Glucagon Suppression: Like amylin, Cagrilintide suppresses postprandial glucagon release, which reduces liver glucose output and improves overall metabolic control.
Central Appetite Regulation: Acts directly on appetite-regulating centers in the hypothalamus to reduce caloric intake without requiring the same magnitude of nausea as GLP-1s at equivalent appetite-suppressing doses.
Benefits
- ~10.8% weight loss as monotherapy in Phase 2 trials
- Synergistic with GLP-1 peptides (CagriSema combo shows 15.6%+ loss)
- Different mechanism to GLP-1: can stack effectively
- Powerful appetite control through amylin pathway
- Weekly dosing for convenience
- Potentially less nausea than GLP-1s at equivalent satiety levels
- Improves postprandial glucose control
Dosing Described in Research and Labels
| Phase | Dose | Frequency | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 2 trial (Lancet, 2021) | Up to 2.4mg | Once weekly (subcutaneous) | Trial escalated gradually to target |
| Investigational status | No approved dose | Subcutaneous | Not established |
These figures summarise what published research and approved labels describe. They are educational, not a recommendation or a personal protocol. Any dose, schedule, or decision to use a compound belongs with a licensed prescriber.
Side Effects
Common
- ⚠Nausea (common during titration)
- ⚠Decreased appetite
- ⚠Vomiting (resolves with slower titration)
- ⚠Diarrhea or constipation
- ⚠Injection site reactions
Rare
- •Hypoglycemia (especially if combined with insulin)
- •Pancreatitis risk (theoretical)
- •Gallbladder issues (associated with rapid weight loss)
Who Should NOT Use Cagrilintide
- ✕Type 1 diabetes (amylin analogue specific concern)
- ✕History of pancreatitis
- ✕Gastroparesis or severe GI motility disorders
- ✕Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- ✕Under 18 years old
- ✕Severe renal impairment
What to Expect
Early titration phase. Mild appetite reduction begins. Some nausea during dose adjustment is common as the body adapts.
As the dose steps up, appetite suppression becomes more pronounced. Food intake naturally decreases. First meaningful weight loss.
At the maintenance dose, consistent weekly weight loss. Appetite control feels different from GLP-1s: less acute nausea, more background satiety.
Notes from Ho Chi Minh City
Cagrilintide is the amylin analogue usually positioned as a stack partner with semaglutide rather than a standalone, because the 10.8 percent monotherapy figure from the Phase 2 data sits below what most HCMC expats are after, while the CagriSema combination reported in trials at roughly 15 to 20 percent total weight loss is what competes with tirzepatide. The mechanism distinction the literature describes is satiety that reads more as baseline disinterest in food than the nausea-driven appetite loss semaglutide produces early in titration, and trial designs add cagrilintide partly to blunt that titration-phase nausea. Whether it belongs in a given regimen, and at what dose, is a decision for a licensed prescriber rather than a forum protocol. On the Vietnam market, research-grade Cagrilintide runs 1.5 to 2.2 million VND per 5mg vial through cold-chain importers, and the CagriSema combination ships from regional suppliers as either separate vials or pre-mixed.
Sourcing in Vietnam
Cagrilintide and the CagriSema combination from Novo Nordisk are not yet approved in Vietnam through the DAV and are not stocked at Long Châu, Pharmacity, FV Hospital, or Vinmec Central Park. Sourcing is research-grade only through cold-chain importers (1.5 to 2.2 million VND per 5mg vial), and pre-mixed CagriSema combinations are available from a smaller subset of suppliers. See the supplier list and COA guide before purchasing.
FAQ
Q: Should I stack Cagrilintide with a GLP-1 peptide?
A: The CagriSema combination (Cagrilintide + Semaglutide) showed strong Phase 3 results, and stacking with Semaglutide (see the semaglutide Vietnam guide) or Tirzepatide (see the tirzepatide Vietnam guide) is widely discussed. The trials escalated each compound gradually rather than starting at target, and whether to combine them and at what dose is a prescriber decision, not a self-directed protocol.
Q: How does Cagrilintide compare to Retatrutide?
A: Retatrutide as a standalone produces more weight loss (~24.2% vs ~10.8%). However, Cagrilintide + Semaglutide approaches Retatrutide's results. Cagrilintide's main advantage is its complementary mechanism for stacking.
Q: Where can I source Cagrilintide in Vietnam?
A: Cagrilintide is less commonly stocked than retatrutide or tirzepatide in Vietnam. Check the community-verified supplier list for current availability. Always verify peptide purity with our COA verification guide before ordering.
Where to Get Cagrilintide in Vietnam
See our community-verified supplier list with COA verification and cold-chain shipping to Vietnam.
Related Peptides
Related Guides
Research & Sources
- Cagrilintide, a long-acting amylin analogue, in patients with overweight or obesity · Lau DCW, Erichsen L, Francisco AM, et al. · Lancet (2021) PMID: 34293298
Phase 2 trial demonstrating 10.8 percent weight reduction with cagrilintide monotherapy at 26 weeks.
- Cagrilintide plus semaglutide for treatment of obesity (CagriSema) · Frias JP, Deenadayalan S, Erichsen L, et al. · Lancet (2023) PMID: 37004678
Phase 2 trial of CagriSema combination demonstrating approximately 15.6 percent weight reduction at 32 weeks.
- The amylin analogue cagrilintide on its own and in combination with semaglutide · Enebo LB, Berthelsen KK, Kankam M, et al. · Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology (2021) PMID: 33888224
Pharmacokinetic and dose-finding study supporting weekly dosing schedule for cagrilintide.
- Amylin: pharmacology, physiology, and clinical potential · Hay DL, Chen S, Lutz TA, Parkes DG, Roth JD · Pharmacological Reviews (2015) PMID: 26342075
Foundational review of amylin pharmacology underlying the rationale for long-acting analogues in obesity treatment.
Important Disclaimer
Educational content only. Not medical advice. Peptides discussed on this page are not approved by Vietnam’s Ministry of Health (Bộ Y Tế) or the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV) for the indications described. Research peptides are not stocked at Long Châu, Pharmacity, or any retail pharmacy in Vietnam. Consult a licensed physician before any use.