Medications

CagriSema: What It Is, Trial Results, and When It's Coming

7 min readApril 5, 2026By Jeremy H., GLP-1 Nutrition Researcher
CagriSema: What It Is, Trial Results, and When It's Coming

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Quick Answer

CagriSema is Novo Nordisk's combination weight loss drug that pairs semaglutide (Wegovy) with cagrilintide, an amylin analog. Phase 3 REDEFINE 1 trial results show 20.4% average weight loss over 68 weeks in people without diabetes. Novo Nordisk submitted its FDA application in late 2025, and the decision is expected in late 2026 or early 2027.

It's a once-weekly injection similar to Wegovy but with added appetite suppression from the amylin pathway.

Key Points

  • CagriSema combines semaglutide (GLP-1) with cagrilintide (amylin analog) for dual appetite suppression
  • Phase 3 REDEFINE 1 showed 20.4% weight loss vs. 13.7% with semaglutide alone
  • REDEFINE 2 (type 2 diabetes) showed 13.7% weight loss
  • FDA application submitted late 2025; approval expected late 2026 or early 2027
  • Side effects mirror Wegovy: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (10-15% discontinuation rate)
  • Likely pricing around $1,200/month before insurance

Statistics

  • 20.4% average weight loss over 68 weeks in REDEFINE 1 trial (Novo Nordisk, 2025)
  • 13.7% weight loss in REDEFINE 2 trial in people with type 2 diabetes (Novo Nordisk, 2025)
  • 14.9% weight loss with semaglutide 2.4mg alone for comparison (REDEFINE 1)
  • 6-7% additional weight loss benefit from adding cagrilintide to semaglutide (Novo Nordisk, 2025)
  • 10-15% discontinuation rate due to side effects, similar to Wegovy (REDEFINE trials)

Medical Review

This article was reviewed by the GLP Spot Medical Review Board. Our medical review process ensures all content reflects current clinical trial data and FDA guidance.

CagriSema: What It Is, Trial Results, and When It's Coming

CagriSema is Novo Nordisk's next weight loss drug. It combines two medications into one weekly injection. Phase 3 trial results show it causes more weight loss than semaglutide (Wegovy) alone — up to 20.4% of body weight over 68 weeks in people without diabetes. It's not approved yet. But the data is strong.

What Is CagriSema?

CagriSema combines two drugs:

Semaglutide (2.4 mg) — The same GLP-1 medication in Ozempic and Wegovy. It reduces appetite and slows stomach emptying.

Cagrilintide (2.4 mg) — An amylin analog. Amylin is a hormone that signals fullness to your brain. Cagrilintide mimics this effect.

Together, they hit appetite from two angles. The result is more weight loss than either drug alone. It's a once-weekly injection, like Wegovy.

REDEFINE Trial Results

Novo Nordisk ran several Phase 3 trials under the REDEFINE program. The full results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2025. Here's what they found:

REDEFINE 1 (People Without Diabetes)

  • 20.4% average weight loss over 68 weeks
  • Compared to 6.6% with cagrilintide alone and 14.9% with semaglutide alone
  • Participants had a BMI of 27 or higher without diabetes
  • About 37% of people on CagriSema lost 25% or more of their body weight

This was a much stronger result than earlier Phase 2 data suggested. The combination of semaglutide plus cagrilintide produced meaningfully more weight loss than semaglutide alone — not just a modest 2-3% improvement.

REDEFINE 2 (People With Type 2 Diabetes)

  • 13.7% average weight loss over 68 weeks
  • Better blood sugar control than semaglutide alone
  • HbA1c reductions were greater with the combination

Weight loss was lower in the diabetes group, which is typical for GLP-1 trials. People with type 2 diabetes tend to lose less weight than people without diabetes on the same medication.

REDEFINE 3

  • Focused on long-term maintenance of weight loss
  • People who lost weight on CagriSema were more likely to keep it off compared to semaglutide alone

Key Takeaways

  • CagriSema beats semaglutide alone by a significant margin (about 5-6% more weight loss)
  • CagriSema's 20.4% result puts it right alongside Zepbound
  • Side effects are similar to semaglutide — mostly nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
  • About 10-15% of people stopped treatment due to side effects, similar to Wegovy

CagriSema vs. Other GLP-1 Drugs

Here's how CagriSema stacks up against what's available now:

Drug Avg Weight Loss Dosing Status
CagriSema 20.4% (non-diabetes) Weekly injection FDA review (decision late 2026/early 2027)
Zepbound (tirzepatide) 15-21% Weekly injection FDA approved
Wegovy (semaglutide) 15% Weekly injection FDA approved
Foundayo (orforglipron) ~11% Daily pill FDA approved (Apr 2026)
Saxenda (liraglutide) 5-8% Daily injection FDA approved

CagriSema's 20.4% weight loss puts it right alongside Zepbound at its highest dose. The SURMOUNT trials showed up to 21% weight loss for Zepbound, so the numbers are very close.

CagriSema's advantage may be that it uses a different mechanism than Zepbound. CagriSema targets GLP-1 + amylin. Zepbound targets GLP-1 + GIP. For some people, one approach may work better than the other. But we won't know for sure until there are head-to-head trials.

When Will CagriSema Be Available?

Novo Nordisk submitted its FDA application for CagriSema in late 2025. The FDA review timeline is typically 10-12 months for standard review.

Expected FDA decision: Late 2026 or early 2027.

If approved, CagriSema would likely launch in 2027. Novo Nordisk has also applied for approval in Europe through the EMA. That timeline is usually 12-15 months.

What Will It Cost?

Novo Nordisk hasn't announced pricing yet. But here's what to expect:

  • Likely priced at a premium over Wegovy since it's a new combination
  • Probably around $1,200/month before insurance
  • Novo Nordisk's savings card program will likely apply (currently $99/month cap for eligible patients)
  • Insurance coverage will take time — expect prior authorization requirements

Side Effects

CagriSema's side effects look similar to other GLP-1 medications:

Common (affecting 10-20% of people):

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
  • Stomach pain

Less common:

  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Low blood sugar (especially in people with diabetes)

Serious (rare):

  • Pancreatitis
  • Gallbladder problems
  • Kidney problems
  • Allergic reactions

The side effect rate was similar to semaglutide alone in trials. Adding cagrilintide didn't make it significantly worse.

Who Might Benefit Most from CagriSema?

CagriSema may be a good option for:

  • People who plateaued on Wegovy and need more weight loss
  • People who didn't tolerate tirzepatide (Zepbound) well
  • People with type 2 diabetes who want better blood sugar control plus weight loss
  • People who want the convenience of a weekly shot (vs. daily pills like Foundayo)

It may NOT be worth it if:

  • You're already happy with your current GLP-1 medication
  • You're doing well on Zepbound (which has similar weight loss numbers)
  • Cost is a major concern (it will likely be expensive at launch)

The Bigger Picture

CagriSema is part of a new wave of combination GLP-1 drugs:

  • Tirzepatide (Zepbound) — GLP-1 + GIP (already approved)
  • CagriSema — GLP-1 + amylin (in FDA review)
  • Retatrutide — GLP-1 + GIP + glucagon (Phase 3 trials, up to 28.7% weight loss)
  • Survodutide — GLP-1 + glucagon (Phase 3 MASH data positive)
  • Foundayo (orforglipron) — GLP-1 only, daily pill (FDA approved Apr 2026)

The future of weight loss drugs is combinations. Single-drug GLP-1s like Wegovy will eventually be replaced by drugs that hit multiple pathways at once. But "eventually" isn't now. If you need treatment today, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Foundayo are your best options.

What to Do While Waiting

If CagriSema interests you:

  1. Talk to your doctor about whether it might be right for you when it's available
  2. Stay on your current medication if it's working — don't stop waiting for something new
  3. Check back here — we'll update this page when the FDA makes its decision
  4. Watch for clinical trial opportunities — Novo Nordisk may have open studies you can join

Bottom Line

CagriSema's Phase 3 results are better than expected. The REDEFINE 1 trial showed 20.4% weight loss — putting it in the same range as Zepbound and significantly ahead of Wegovy alone. The FDA decision is expected in late 2026 or early 2027. If approved, it will give patients another strong option in the combination weight loss drug space.

For now, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Foundayo remain your available options. If you're on one and it's working, stick with it.


This article is for information only. Work with your healthcare provider to find the best treatment. This is not medical advice. Last updated: May 19, 2026.

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Written by
J
Jeremy H.
GLP-1 Nutrition Researcher

Nutrition researcher and founder of The GLPSpot. Jeremy built this site after watching friends and family struggle with the nutritional challenges of reduced appetite on GLP-1 medications — loss of muscle mass, dehydration, and nutrient deficiencies.

Published: Last reviewed:
Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

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