CagriSema Product Information
CagriSema is an investigational once-weekly weight-loss injection developed by Novo Nordisk. It contains two active ingredients: cagrilintide and semaglutide.
How does CagriSema work?
CagriSema contains two active ingredients to aid weight loss:
- Semaglutide - a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that aids weight loss by reducing food cravings, slowing gastric emptying, and helping control blood sugar levels.
- Cagrilintide - a long-acting amylin analogue that aids weight loss by further suppressing appetite, slowing gastric emptying, and modulating post-meal glucose rises.
The dual-action mechanism of CagriSema helps patients eat less and feel fuller for longer, making it easier to maintain a calorie deficit and lose weight when used alongside a calorie-controlled diet and regular physical activity.
How effective is CagriSema for weight loss?
Several Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials have reported substantial weight loss with CagriSema.
In an earlier Phase 2 study, CagriSema produced significantly greater weight loss than semaglutide or cagrilintide alone, and was generally well tolerated.
In some studies, patients taking the maximum dose of CagriSema lost up to 22.7% of their starting body weight over 68 weeks of treatment.
Patients taking CagriSema also improved their blood pressure (both systolic and diastolic) and blood sugar levels.
When will CagriSema be available in the UK?
CagriSema is not currently available in the UK as it has not yet been approved by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Novo Nordisk is expected to submit CagriSema for approval in early 2026. This depends on the outcomes of Phase 3 clinical trials, which are expected to be completed by the end of 2025.
The MHRA aims to make a decision within 210 days. However, they may request more clinical data or ask further questions, which can delay the process.
If the MHRA decides to approve CagriSema, it will become available in the UK.
How does CagriSema compare to Wegovy and Mounjaro?
In clinical trials, patients taking CagriSema lost more weight than those on Wegovy (semaglutide). Specifically, patients taking 2.4mg of Wegovy lost up to 17% of their weight over 68 weeks of treatment, while patients taking CagriSema lost up to 22.7% of their body weight in a Phase 3 clinical trial. This is likely due to its combination of active ingredients.
CagriSema has also shown comparable results to Mounjaro (tirzepatide). In clinical trials, patients lost around 22.5% of their body weight after 72 weeks of taking Mounjaro. In contrast, CagriSema patients lost up to 22.7% after 68 weeks.
The results from ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials will show if CagriSema is more effective than currently available weight loss injections. However, as the treatment is still in development, further clinical trials are required to determine its long-term effectiveness and safety profile.
Who makes CagriSema?
CagriSema is being developed and manufactured by Novo Nordisk, the company that also developed semaglutide-based treatments such as Ozempic and Wegovy.
Is CagriSema available in the UK?
CagriSema is not currently available in the UK. It will only be available once the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) grants a licence.
CagriSema is still in Phase 3 clinical trials, which are expected to finish by the end of 2025. If they’re successful, Novo Nordisk can submit CagriSema to the MHRA for approval.
The approval process can take several months, and the MHRA may request additional information before coming to a decision.
How much weight can you lose on CagriSema?
You could lose up to 22.7% of your body weight on CagriSema over 68 weeks, based on data from early clinical trials.
As with all weight loss treatments, results can vary depending on diet, lifestyle, consistency and tolerance to the medication.
Is CagriSema better than Wegovy or Mounjaro?
Results from early clinical trials indicate that CagriSema produced greater weight loss results than Wegovy.
Compared to Mounjaro, patients taking CagriSema achieved similar weight loss in clinical trials. Patients lost up to 22.7% of their body weight over 68 weeks, compared to 22.5% on Mounjaro over 72 weeks.
Phase 3 clinical trials are currently underway and will provide more data on CagriSema’s effectiveness compared to Wegovy and Mounjaro.
Is CagriSema the same as Wegovy?
CagriSema contains both semaglutide and cagrilintide, whereas Wegovy only contains semaglutide.
Cagrilintide works on a different pathway to semaglutide, but both active ingredients reduce hunger and increase feelings of fullness.
Is CagriSema the same as Mounjaro?
Mounjaro contains tirzepatide, while CagriSema combines cagrilintide and semaglutide.
Tirzepatide and semaglutide belong to the same class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists. However, cagrilintide works differently as it is an amylin analogue.
All three active ingredients aid weight loss by slowing digestion, increasing feelings of fullness and reducing appetite.