What Is CagriSema? Cagrilintide and Semaglutide Explained

CagriSema is an investigational once-weekly injectable from Novo Nordisk that combines two different weight-loss ingredients in one shot: cagrilintide, an amylin analog, and semaglutide, the GLP-1 drug already familiar from Ozempic and Wegovy. In its main trial, CagriSema produced average weight loss of about 20%, with a majority of participants losing at least 20% of their body weight. As of mid-2026, it isn’t FDA approved yet. Novo Nordisk filed for approval in weight management in December 2025, and a decision is anticipated later in 2026. If it clears, CagriSema would be the first medication to pair a GLP-1 with an amylin-based drug for obesity.

The two ingredients

CagriSema’s design is about combining two appetite-regulating mechanisms that work differently.

Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist. It reduces appetite, slows stomach emptying, and helps manage blood sugar, and it’s the basis of some of the most widely used obesity treatments.

Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analog. Amylin is a hormone released alongside insulin that promotes fullness and helps regulate how much you eat. Cagrilintide mimics that effect.

The theory behind combining them is that GLP-1 and amylin act on appetite through complementary routes in the brain, so together they may produce more weight loss than either alone. That’s the “additive” idea Novo Nordisk has pointed to.

What the trial data shows

The pivotal evidence comes from the REDEFINE 1 trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2025, which enrolled 3,417 adults with obesity or overweight and a weight-related condition, without diabetes. Over 68 weeks, CagriSema produced an estimated average weight loss of about 20% compared with roughly 3% for placebo. Among the more striking findings, about 60% of participants lost at least 20% of their body weight, and 23% lost 30% or more.

Here’s the context alongside approved drugs:

It’s worth noting that when CagriSema’s results were first announced, some analysts had expected an even higher number, so the roughly 20% figure was viewed as strong but not the blowout some anticipated. Novo Nordisk has emphasized that this is still among the highest weight loss seen with any obesity medication and is studying higher-dose versions.

Side effects

CagriSema’s side effects are consistent with the GLP-1 class, dominated by gastrointestinal effects like nausea, which were generally mild to moderate. Combining two mechanisms doesn’t appear to introduce a fundamentally different safety picture, though full details continue to emerge as the program reports.

Where it stands

Novo Nordisk submitted CagriSema for FDA approval in weight management in December 2025, based on the REDEFINE 1 and REDEFINE 2 trials. A decision is generally anticipated in late 2026. Additional trials, including longer and higher-dose studies, are ongoing. Until the FDA acts, CagriSema is not available by prescription.

Common questions

Is CagriSema available yet?

Not as of 2026. It’s under FDA review, with a decision expected later in the year. It can’t be prescribed until and unless it’s approved.

How is CagriSema different from Wegovy?

Wegovy is semaglutide alone. CagriSema adds cagrilintide, an amylin analog, to semaglutide, aiming for greater weight loss by combining two appetite pathways.

Is CagriSema better than tirzepatide?

Their trial results are broadly in a similar range, and there’s no head-to-head comparison. Which is “better” for a given person depends on many factors a provider would consider.

The bottom line

CagriSema is a genuinely novel approach, combining GLP-1 and amylin biology, and it delivered strong weight loss in trials. But it’s still awaiting FDA approval and isn’t available yet. If you want to start now, semaglutide-based treatment, one half of the CagriSema combination, is already available. You can see which options fit you through TrimRx’s quiz and get a plan from a licensed provider.

This information is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. CagriSema is investigational and not FDA approved. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any medication. Individual results may vary.