What is the recommended Cagrilintide dosage?

Cagrilintide dosing varies by experience level. Beginners typically start at 500mcg weekly, moderate users at 1200mcg weekly, and aggressive protocols use 2400mcg weekly.

How do you reconstitute Cagrilintide?

Cagrilintide typically comes in 5mg vials. Add 2mL of bacteriostatic water to the vial. Use our free calculator for exact syringe units based on your desired dose.

What is the half-life of Cagrilintide?

The half-life of Cagrilintide is ~7 days. This determines how frequently you need to dose for consistent blood levels.

Cagrilintide

Weight LossInjectionPhase 3Grade B~7 days half-life

Amylin AnalogWeight ManagementAppetite SuppressionCagriSemaWeekly Injection

Benefits

Different mechanism than GLP-1 — targets amylin pathway

Reduces cravings and appetite

Slows gastric emptying for prolonged fullness

Weekly dosing for convenience

Synergistic when combined with semaglutide

Half-Life

~7 days

Route

Injection

Frequency

Weekly

Vial Sizes

5mg

BAC Water

2mL

Safety Grade

Grade B

Open Cagrilintide Dosage Calculator

Calculate exact syringe units for your vial and dose

About Cagrilintide

Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin receptor agonist that works through a completely different pathway than GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide. Amylin is naturally released by the pancreas after meals to promote satiety. Cagrilintide mimics this effect, reducing cravings and slowing gastric emptying. It's being studied both alone and in combination with semaglutide (CagriSema) for enhanced weight loss.

Who Should Consider Cagrilintide

Adults with BMI ≥30 (or ≥27 with weight-related comorbidity)
Individuals who have plateaued on GLP-1 therapy alone
Adults seeking a non-GLP-1 weight loss mechanism
Patients being considered for CagriSema combination therapy
Adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes

How Cagrilintide Works

Cagrilintide is a long-acting acylated amylin analog that binds to amylin receptors (AMY1, AMY2, AMY3) and calcitonin receptors in the area postrema and hypothalamus. Activation of these receptors promotes satiety signaling, slows gastric emptying, and suppresses postprandial glucagon secretion. Unlike GLP-1 agonists, cagrilintide works through a distinct neuroendocrine pathway, which is why the combination with semaglutide (CagriSema) produces additive weight loss beyond either agent alone.

What to Expect

Weeks 1-4

0.25-0.5mg

Titration phase. Mild appetite reduction may begin. Nausea is most common during this period. Body adapts to amylin receptor activation.

Weeks 5-12

0.5-1.2mg

Appetite suppression becomes noticeable. Early weight loss of 2-4%. GI side effects typically decrease as the body adjusts to dose escalation.

Weeks 13-26

1.2-2.4mg

Steady weight loss continues. Phase 2 data showed ~6-9% body weight reduction at moderate doses by this point. Cravings and portion sizes decrease.

Weeks 27-52

2.4mg maintenance

Full therapeutic dose. Monotherapy trials showed ~10.8% mean weight loss at 2.4mg. Metabolic markers improve. Weight loss rate stabilizes.

Weeks 52+

maintenance

Continued maintenance of weight loss. In the REDEFINE 1 trial, cagrilintide monotherapy achieved ~11.8% weight loss at 68 weeks. Ongoing treatment is needed to sustain results.

Dosing Protocol

Level	Dose / Injection	Frequency
Beginner	500mcg	Weekly
Moderate	1,200mcg	Weekly
Aggressive	2,400mcg	Weekly

Note: Long-acting amylin analog. Different mechanism than GLP-1 agonists. Titrate slowly from 0.5mg. Can be combined with semaglutide (CagriSema).

How to Inject Cagrilintide

Inject subcutaneously once weekly in the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate injection sites. Follow a slow titration schedule starting at 0.25-0.5mg and escalating every 4 weeks to minimize GI side effects. If combining with semaglutide, inject at separate sites.

Cycling Protocol

On Period

16 weeks

Off Period

0 weeks

Designed as continuous therapy. No cycling needed due to sustained amylin receptor responsiveness. Discontinuation leads to weight regain, so ongoing use is expected.

Pharmacokinetics

Half-Life

175h

Bioavailability

SC: not yet formally reported

Tmax

24-72 hours

Data Confidence

moderate

Source: Phase 1b PK study (Enebo et al. Lancet 2021, PMID 33894838); t½ 159-195h (~7.3 days)

Pharmacokinetics — Active Dose Over Time

Loading the interactive decay curve.

Side Effects

Nausea, diarrhea, and injection site reactions. GI side effects typically decrease over time with slow titration.

Contraindications

Pregnancy or breastfeeding — safety not established
Known hypersensitivity to cagrilintide or any excipients
Gastroparesis or severe gastrointestinal motility disorders
Personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC)
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN2)
Planned surgery — discontinue at least 20-24 days before elective procedures

Drug Interactions

Insulin and sulfonylureas — increased hypoglycemia risk due to combined glucose-lowering effects
Oral medications may have delayed absorption due to slowed gastric emptying
Oral contraceptives — monitor efficacy as absorption timing may be altered
Acetaminophen and other oral analgesics — delayed onset of action possible
Semaglutide — no pharmacokinetic interaction observed; additive GI side effects possible