Amylin (Cagrilintide) — a new path to weight control
Cagrilintide — a long-acting amylin hormone analogue. An investigational Novo Nordisk molecule; Amilin by PeptoLabs is a third-party research-grade product. Separate from GLP-1 mechanism of action. Up to -22.7% weight loss with CagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide, REDEFINE-1).
monotherapy (Phase 2, 26 weeks)
What is Amylin / Cagrilintide?
Cagrilintide · Amilin 20 mg · PeptoLabs
Cagrilintide is a long-acting analogue of the human amylin hormone. The molecule was developed by Novo Nordisk (Denmark). Amilin 10/20 mg by PeptoLabs is a third-party research-grade product declared as cagrilintide: it is not manufactured or approved by Novo Nordisk and is not CagriSema.
Unlike GLP-1 agonists (Ozempic, Mounjaro), Cagrilintide acts through amylin receptors — an entirely different appetite regulation pathway. Amylin is a natural hormone produced by pancreatic β-cells alongside insulin during meals.
Cagrilintide is available as an injector pen (10 mg and 20 mg by PeptoLabs). Administered subcutaneously once a week; the dosing reference is the 16-week Novo Nordisk Phase 3 titration (0.25 → 0.5 → 1.0 → 1.7 → 2.4 mg/week). The best-studied GLP-1 combination is CagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide): up to −22.7% weight loss in REDEFINE-1. There are currently no controlled human trials of cagrilintide combined with tirzepatide or retatrutide.
Key advantage: Cagrilintide acts through amylin receptors — an appetite-control pathway separate from GLP-1. The only clinically proven GLP-1 combination is CagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide).
How Amylin (Cagrilintide) works for weight loss
Cagrilintide mimics the natural amylin hormone — a separate from GLP-1 pathway for appetite control.
Appetite suppression
Acts on the area postrema and nucleus tractus solitarius in the brainstem — a separate from GLP-1 hunger control center.
Gastric slowing
Slows rapid gastric emptying after meals. Food is digested more slowly — fullness lasts significantly longer.
Glucagon control
Reduces postprandial glucagon secretion, decreasing blood sugar fluctuations and reducing sugar cravings.
Amylin + GLP-1: what is clinically proven
Cagrilintide acts through amylin receptors, while GLP-1 agonists act through GLP-1 receptors. These are two different appetite-control pathways; the clinical efficacy of combining them is proven only for CagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide).
Novo Nordisk developed CagriSema (Cagrilintide + semaglutide), which in the Phase 3 REDEFINE-1 trial (NEJM 2025) showed weight loss of up to −22.7% over 68 weeks — significantly more than semaglutide alone (−16.1%).
Combination even at low doses outperforms high-dose monotherapy
| Parameter | Cagri 1.2 mg + Sema 1.2 mg | Sema 2.4 mg | Cagri 2.4 mg |
|---|---|---|---|
| HbA1c ↓ | −2.2% | −1.8% | −0.9% |
| Weight loss | −15.6% | −5.1% | −8.1% |
| Fasting glucose ↓ | −3.3 | −2.5 | −1.7 |
Combination at 1.2 mg each achieves better results than 2.4 mg of either alone — with lower total dose and fewer side effects.
Which product is right for you?
Cagrilintide, Mounjaro or Ozempic? Take an 8-step survey and get a personalized recommendation.
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Who is Amylin (Cagrilintide) suitable for
Recommended
- BMI ≥ 27 with desire to lose weight
- Insufficient effect from GLP-1 alone
- Desire to try a new mechanism
- Combination with Mounjaro or Ozempic
- Insulin resistance
Not recommended
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Under 18 years of age
- Medullary thyroid cancer
- Acute pancreatitis
- Allergy to components
Not sure? Ask a DOZA specialist — free consultation.
Results and efficacy
Cagrilintide clinical data
In the Phase 2 study (706 participants, 26 weeks), Cagrilintide at 4.5 mg showed 10.8% weight loss vs 3.0% placebo.
In combination with semaglutide (CagriSema), the Phase 3 REDEFINE-1 trial (NEJM 2025, 3,417 participants, 68 weeks) demonstrated 22.7% weight loss — significantly exceeding semaglutide alone (16.1%).
Monotherapy advantages
- • New mechanism — separate from GLP-1
- • Convenient once-weekly dosing
- • Good tolerability
Combination advantages
- • Two independent appetite-control pathways
- • Up to -22.7% weight with CagriSema
- • Combination clinically proven only with semaglutide (CagriSema)
Amylin / Cagrilintide (Amilin) dosage
Pens 10 and 20 mg. Reference — Novo Nordisk Phase 3 titration: 0.25 → 0.5 → 1.0 → 1.7 → 2.4 mg/week. Specialist selects individually.
Cagrilintide (Amilin) — pens 10 and 20 mg by PeptoLabs. Reference scheme — Novo Nordisk Phase 3 (CagriSema) titration: start 0.25 mg/week with stepwise escalation to a 2.4 mg/week maintenance dose; Phase 2 mono studied doses up to 4.5 mg/week. There is no officially approved scheme for a research-grade product — a DOZA specialist selects the program.
Adaptation considerations
Cagrilintide is well tolerated. Most effects are mild and short-lived.
A DOZA specialist helps minimize any discomfort. Consultation — on Telegram.
Amylin is available in two formats
Choose the convenient option — original PeptoLabs product in both cases
Cagrilintide vs Mounjaro vs Ozempic
| Parameter | Cagrilintide | Mounjaro | Ozempic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Cagrilintide | Tirzepatide | Semaglutide |
| Class | Amylin analogue | GLP-1 + GIP | GLP-1 |
| Efficacy (mono) | -10.8% | -22.5% | -15% |
| In combination | -22.7% (CagriSema) | — | -22.7% (CagriSema) |
| Frequency | 1× per week | 1× per week | 1× per week |
| Developer | Novo Nordisk (molecule) · PeptoLabs (Amilin) | Eli Lilly | Novo Nordisk |
| GLP-1 combination | Yes | No | No |
Cagrilintide is the only long-acting amylin analogue in late-stage clinical development; the proven GLP-1 combination is CagriSema (with semaglutide).
Sources
- • Lau DCW et al. (Lancet, 2021) — Cagrilintide Phase 2 study, 706 participants, 26 weeks, dose-dependent weight loss up to -10.8%
- • REDEFINE-1 (NEJM, 2025) — CagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide), 3417 participants, 68 weeks, -22.7% weight loss (trial-product estimand; -20.4% treatment-policy)
- • Novo Nordisk: CagriSema NDA filed to FDA on 18 Dec 2025; decision expected Q4 2026. Cagrilintide mono is not in Phase 3
Amylin and Cagrilintide: the evidence base in 8 answers
The hormone, the Novo Nordisk molecule, the PeptoLabs product and the CagriSema combination are four different entities. We separate them clearly, with references to primary sources.
What is amylin?
Amylin is a natural human hormone that pancreatic β-cells secrete together with insulin during meals. It slows gastric emptying, suppresses glucagon secretion and creates satiety via receptors in the brainstem (area postrema). The hormone itself is unstable and is not used directly in therapy — analogues are developed instead.
What is cagrilintide?
Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin hormone analogue developed by Novo Nordisk for once-weekly subcutaneous administration. It is an investigational molecule: it has completed Phase 1–2 as monotherapy and Phase 3 as part of the CagriSema combination, but as of August 2026 it is not approved by any regulator.
Amylin (hormone) vs cagrilintide — what is the difference?
Amylin is a natural hormone that acts for minutes. Cagrilintide is its synthetic lipidated analogue that acts for about a week. Despite its name, the Amilin product by PeptoLabs contains declared cagrilintide (the analogue), not the amylin hormone itself.
Amilin by PeptoLabs vs CagriSema — what is the difference?
Amilin is the commercial name of a PeptoLabs research-grade product declared as cagrilintide (single agent). CagriSema is a Novo Nordisk combination product: cagrilintide 2.4 mg + semaglutide 2.4 mg. They are different products: Amilin is not manufactured or approved by Novo Nordisk and contains no semaglutide.
Cagrilintide for weight loss — what do the trials show?
Monotherapy: Phase 2 (Lau et al., Lancet 2021, n=706) — up to −10.8% weight over 26 weeks at 4.5 mg; in REDEFINE-1 the cagrilintide 2.4 mg arm gave −11.8% over 68 weeks. The CagriSema combination in REDEFINE-1 (NEJM 2025, n=3417) — −20.4% weight (treatment-policy estimand) / −22.7% (trial-product) over 68 weeks.
What is CagriSema?
CagriSema = cagrilintide 2.4 mg + semaglutide 2.4 mg — a Novo Nordisk combination product joining the amylin and GLP-1 appetite-control pathways. In Phase 3 REDEFINE-1 it showed up to −22.7% weight loss over 68 weeks. CagriSema is not a synonym of cagrilintide — it is its combination with semaglutide.
Cagrilintide + Mounjaro — has the combination been studied?
No. There are currently no controlled human clinical trials of cagrilintide combined with tirzepatide (Mounjaro) or retatrutide. The only GLP-1 combination that has completed Phase 3 is CagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide). The pathways do not overlap mechanistically, but extrapolating CagriSema numbers to other combinations is not valid.
Is cagrilintide FDA-approved?
No. As of August 2026, cagrilintide is not approved by the FDA, EMA or the Ukrainian MOH — it is an investigational molecule. The CagriSema combination is under FDA review (NDA filed 18 Dec 2025, decision expected Q4 2026). Separately, in a statement of 15 Jun 2026 the FDA noted that cagrilintide cannot be used in compounding under US federal law.
Frequently asked questions about Amylin (Cagrilintide)
Cagrilintide is a long-acting human amylin hormone analogue developed by Novo Nordisk. Unlike GLP-1 agonists (Ozempic, Mounjaro), it acts through a separate amylin receptor in the brain. Available as Amilin by PeptoLabs in 20 mg dose.
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