Cagrilintide vs Dulaglutide
A neutral, side-by-side comparison of two glp-1 & metabolic peptides — their mechanisms, dosing ranges, administration routes, side effects, and research evidence. For research and educational purposes only.
Cagrilintide
Long-acting amylin/CGRP receptor co-agonist developed by Novo Nordisk. Reduces food intake and body weight via central satiety pathways distinct from the GLP-1 pathway. In the CagriSema combination trial with semaglutide, the combination achieved up to ~25% weight reduction — substantially greater than either agent alone.
Full profileDulaglutide
Once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist (Trulicity) approved for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk reduction. Engineered as a GLP-1 analogue fused to a modified IgG4-Fc domain, which provides a ~5-day half-life and enables once-weekly subcutaneous dosing via a simple auto-injector pen with no reconstitution required.
Full profile| Cagrilintide | Dulaglutide | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | GLP-1 & Metabolic | GLP-1 & Metabolic |
| Also known as | AM833, amylin analogue, CagriSema partner | Trulicity, LY2189265 |
| Evidence | Investigational (in trials) | FDA-approved |
| Dosing range | 0.3mg–2.4mg mg, once weekly subcutaneous | 0.75mg–4.5mg mg, once weekly subcutaneous |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection | Subcutaneous injection (auto-injector pen) |
| Key side effects | Nausea, Vomiting, Injection site reactions, Decreased appetite | Nausea (most common), Diarrhea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain |
| Cited sources | 2 references | 2 references |
Key differences
- Evidence level differs: Cagrilintide is investigational (in trials), while Dulaglutide is fda-approved.
- Administration: Cagrilintide — Subcutaneous injection; Dulaglutide — Subcutaneous injection (auto-injector pen).
How each works
Cagrilintide
Cagrilintide activates amylin receptors (RAMP/CTR complexes) in the area postrema and hypothalamus, reducing food intake and slowing gastric emptying through mechanisms independent of GLP-1 signaling. This non-overlapping pathway allows combination with semaglutide without compounding GI side effects. Phase 2 CagriSema data showed 15–25% weight loss at 32 weeks, supporting the complementary mechanism hypothesis.
Dulaglutide
Dulaglutide's large molecular structure (fusion with IgG4-Fc) prevents renal filtration and extends half-life via FcRn recycling, enabling once-weekly dosing. The REWIND cardiovascular outcomes trial demonstrated significant reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with or at risk for cardiovascular disease, establishing dulaglutide as a cardioprotective agent beyond glucose control.
This comparison aggregates public research and structured profile data for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and does not recommend either compound for human use. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before considering any peptide.