Cagrilintide vs Semaglutide
Amylin analog vs GLP-1 — two different satiety levers
Cagrilintide
Long-acting amylin analogue for once-weekly dosing. Useful on its own; dramatically more useful paired with Semaglutide as the CagriSema combination.
Best for
Best as part of a combination (it is the amylin half of CagriSema); on its own it is a milder, weekly satiety tool.
Read full pageSemaglutide
The GLP-1 receptor agonist that turned obesity pharmacology into a mainstream conversation. Once-weekly injection, ~7-day half-life, and the largest randomised dataset of anything in this catalogue.
Best for
Best as a standalone with proven monotherapy efficacy and outcome data behind it.
Read full pageKey difference
They act through different receptors — Cagrilintide mimics amylin, Semaglutide mimics GLP-1. Cagrilintide shines when combined with a GLP-1 rather than run alone, which is why it is usually paired.
Evidence quality
Cagrilintide
Phase 2 trialsNovo Nordisk published a Phase 2 monotherapy trial in The Lancet (2021) showing 6.0–10.8% weight loss across the dose range. The molecule has not been pursued for monotherapy approval; instead, Novo has folded it into the CagriSema combination as the lead clinical strategy. Independent Phase 3 monotherapy data does not exist as of 2026.
Semaglutide
Regulator-approvedApproved by the FDA and EMA for type 2 diabetes (Ozempic, Rybelsus oral) and chronic weight management (Wegovy). The STEP 1–8 obesity trials and the SUSTAIN diabetes programme together represent tens of thousands of randomised patient-years. SELECT (2023) added cardiovascular outcomes — a 20% reduction in MACE in patients with obesity and established CVD. This is the most thoroughly characterised peptide on this site by an order of magnitude.
Not sure which one fits? Open both full pages and read the contraindications first — they are usually the deciding factor.