Cagrilintide

Quickstart highlights

Dosing & reconstitution guide

Standard protocol (2 mL = 5 mg/mL)

A 10 mg vial dissolved in 2 mL bacteriostatic water gives a concentration of 5 mg/mL. Calculate your own dilution →

Reconstitution steps

1. Let the vial reach room temperature and wash your hands.
2. Disinfect both rubber stoppers with an alcohol swab.
3. Draw up 2 mL of bacteriostatic water.
4. Inject the water slowly down the glass wall, not directly onto the powder.
5. Swirl gently until clear — never shake.
6. Label the vial with date and concentration and refrigerate.

Supplies needed

• Cagrilintide vial (10 mg)
• Bacteriostatic water
• Mixing syringe (1–3 mL) and U-100 insulin syringes
• Alcohol swabs and sharps container

Protocol overview

Dosing protocol in research

Values as described in literature and research protocols; not dosing advice.

Storage instructions

• Lyophilised (powder): cool, dry and dark; long-term at −20 °C.
• After reconstitution: refrigerator at 2–8 °C, use within ~4 weeks.
• Avoid repeated freezing and thawing.

Important notes

How this works

Cagrilintide is a synthetic analogue of amylin, a peptide hormone co-secreted with insulin by the pancreas. Researchers are currently evaluating its effects on obesity and type 2 diabetes management. It is being tested in clinical trials both as a monotherapy and in combination with semaglutide under the name CagriSema.

This peptide acts as a non-selective agonist for amylin and calcitonin receptors. While natural amylin has a very short half-life, cagrilintide is modified to allow for weekly administration. It binds to receptors in the brainstem, specifically the area postrema, to enhance satiety signals. This process also slows gastric emptying and inhibits post-meal glucagon secretion. Unlike GLP-1 agonists, this mechanism acts directly on energy balance via the central nervous system without directly lowering blood sugar in non-diabetic individuals.

Phase 2 clinical trials show weight loss of approximately 10% after 26 weeks at the highest dosage. The ongoing REDEFINE phase 3 trials focus on the combination with semaglutide, reporting higher weight reduction percentages than either agent alone. The compound is not currently approved for medical use and is not explicitly listed on the WADA prohibited list, though peptides often fall under general categories. Significant open questions remain regarding long-term effects on bone density, given its interaction with calcitonin receptors.

Potential benefits & side effects

Effects described in research

• Increased satiety
• Slower gastric emptying
• Weight loss in phase 2

Common side effects

• Nausea and reduced appetite
• Diarrhoea or constipation
• Belching, bloating
• Rare: pancreatitis, gallstones

The most frequently reported side effects in trials are nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, similar to other incretin mimetics. These issues are typically dose-dependent and often subside as the body acclimates to the substance. Because the compound is still in the research phase, data regarding safety and efficacy for use exceeding two years are missing.

Contraindications

• Personal/family history of medullary thyroid cancer or MEN2
• History of pancreatitis
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Type 1 diabetes

Lifestyle factors

• Smaller, protein-rich meals reduce GI complaints.
• Stay well hydrated; dehydration worsens nausea and constipation.
• Resistance training helps preserve lean mass during weight loss.
• Limit alcohol and very fatty meals.

Injection technique

• Choose a site with subcutaneous fat: abdomen (5 cm from the navel), thigh or back of upper arm.
• Disinfect, pinch a skin fold and insert at a 45–90° angle.
• Inject slowly, wait 5 seconds and withdraw.
• Rotate sites and use each needle once.

Recommended source

Quality varies widely between suppliers. Look for an independent HPLC/MS lab report per batch, purity ≥ 98% and clear storage and shipping conditions.

As a reference we use the Cagrilintide from PeptideWinkel, which publishes lab reports per batch.

Frequently asked questions