CagriSema weight loss results reached about 22.7% in trials, but the drug is not FDA-approved yet. Learn how it works, side effects, and how it compares.
CagriSema is an investigational once-weekly injection that combines cagrilintide and semaglutide, and it produced about 22.7% average weight loss after 68 weeks in the REDEFINE 1 phase 3 trial. That makes it one of the most effective obesity treatments studied to date. CagriSema is not FDA-approved, however, and it is currently available only to people enrolled in clinical trials.
What Is CagriSema?
CagriSema is a fixed-dose combination of two appetite-regulating hormones given as a single weekly subcutaneous injection. Novo Nordisk developed it to test whether two complementary mechanisms could outperform a GLP-1 drug used alone.
- Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analog. Amylin is a hormone released by the pancreas alongside insulin, and it slows stomach emptying while signaling fullness to the brain.
- Semaglutide is the GLP-1 receptor agonist sold as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. It reduces appetite, slows gastric emptying, and improves blood sugar control.
Each component is dosed at 2.4 mg in the investigational product. The dose is stepped up over several weeks, similar to how Wegovy is started, to limit gastrointestinal side effects.
CagriSema Weight Loss Results From Clinical Trials
The most-cited cagrisema weight loss results come from two phase 3 trials, both reported at 68 weeks of treatment.
| Trial | Population | Average weight loss | Placebo |
|---|---|---|---|
| REDEFINE 1 | Adults with obesity or overweight, without diabetes | 22.7% | 2.3% |
| REDEFINE 2 | Adults with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity | 15.7% | 3.1% |
In REDEFINE 1, roughly half of participants lost at least 20% of their body weight. Weight loss was smaller in REDEFINE 2, which is typical for obesity trials that enroll people with type 2 diabetes.
As with every incretin-based therapy, weight tends to return when treatment stops. CagriSema is being studied as a long-term, chronic treatment rather than a short course.
CagriSema Before and After: Realistic Expectations
There is no public gallery of verified cagrisema before and after photos from the trials, because trial participants are not photographed for marketing. The average percentage change is a far better guide than images circulating on social media.
Percentages are easier to apply to your own body than pounds. A 250-pound adult at a 22.7% reduction would lose roughly 57 pounds, while a 200-pound adult would lose about 45 pounds.
Individual results vary widely. Some trial participants lost more than 30% of their body weight, while others lost very little or stopped treatment because of side effects.
Total weight loss includes both fat mass and some lean mass. Resistance training and adequate protein intake are commonly recommended during any rapid weight loss, including with CagriSema.
How CagriSema Compares With Other Weight Loss Drugs
Cross-trial numbers give a rough sense of where CagriSema sits, but each trial used different populations, dose schedules, and endpoints.
| Treatment | Active ingredient | Trial and duration | Average weight loss | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CagriSema | cagrilintide + semaglutide | REDEFINE 1, 68 weeks | About 22.7% | Investigational |
| Zepbound | tirzepatide 15 mg | SURMOUNT-1, 72 weeks | About 21% | FDA-approved |
| Wegovy | semaglutide 2.4 mg | STEP 1, 68 weeks | About 15% | FDA-approved |
| Saxenda | liraglutide 3.0 mg | SCALE, 56 weeks | About 8% | FDA-approved |
No completed head-to-head trial has directly compared CagriSema with tirzepatide, so claims that one drug is clearly stronger remain unproven. A direct comparison study is underway.
Side Effects and Safety
Gastrointestinal effects dominate the side effect profile of CagriSema, as they do with other incretin drugs.
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation
- Abdominal pain, fatigue, and reduced appetite
- Injection site reactions
- Gallbladder problems, including gallstones
- Low blood sugar when combined with insulin or sulfonylureas
Most GI symptoms are mild to moderate and cluster during dose escalation. A minority of participants discontinue treatment because of them.
Semaglutide carries a boxed warning about thyroid C-cell tumors seen in rodents, so CagriSema is contraindicated for people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or MEN2 syndrome. It is not recommended during pregnancy, and semaglutide should be stopped at least two months before a planned pregnancy.
Because CagriSema is still investigational, safety data beyond 68 weeks are limited. Talk with a healthcare professional before starting any weight loss drug, especially if you take insulin or have kidney, liver, or pancreatic disease.
Availability, Compounded Versions, and Other Peptides
CagriSema cannot be prescribed in the United States. Novo Nordisk has said it intends to file for regulatory approval, but no approval has been granted and no price has been announced.
Compounded or "research grade" cagrilintide is sold online, sometimes marketed as a weight loss peptide. These products are not approved for human use, their purity and dosing are unverified, and the FDA has repeatedly warned about compounded incretin products.
Peptides people search for instead
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Interest in mots-c dosage for weight loss is growing even though human studies of MOTS-c are small and short-term.
The question does kpv help with weight loss still lacks a strong clinical answer, since KPV is studied mainly for inflammation rather than fat loss.
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None of these compounds has been tested in trials anywhere near the size of REDEFINE 1, and none is FDA-approved for weight loss.
The Bottom Line on CagriSema Weight Loss
CagriSema has posted the strongest average weight loss of any investigational obesity drug from Novo Nordisk, but it remains unapproved and unavailable by prescription.
If approved, it would likely join Wegovy and Zepbound as a chronic therapy, meaning weight regain is expected after stopping.
People interested in CagriSema for weight loss should look at clinical trial enrollment or wait for regulatory decisions instead of buying unverified peptides online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CagriSema approved by the FDA?
No. CagriSema is still an investigational drug, and Novo Nordisk has not received FDA approval for it. It is available only through clinical trials, so no US pharmacy can fill a CagriSema prescription. Novo Nordisk has said it plans to submit the drug for regulatory review, but no timeline is guaranteed.
How much weight do people lose on CagriSema?
In the REDEFINE 1 trial, participants lost an average of 22.7% of their body weight after 68 weeks, and roughly half lost at least 20%. Results were lower in people with type 2 diabetes, averaging 15.7% in REDEFINE 2. Individual results range from very little loss to more than 30%.
What are the side effects of CagriSema?
The most common side effects are gastrointestinal, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, and they are usually worst during dose increases. More serious risks include gallbladder disease and low blood sugar when the drug is combined with insulin or sulfonylureas. CagriSema is not recommended during pregnancy.
This page provides educational research information and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.