Cagrilintide vs Tirzepatide
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 profileTirzepatide
Tirzepatide is a dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonist — the first in its class to activate both the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptors simultaneously. Approved as Mounjaro (type 2 diabetes) and Zepbound (obesity), it produces greater weight loss than any approved GLP-1 monotherapy in clinical trials.
Full profile| Cagrilintide | Tirzepatide | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | GLP-1 & Metabolic | GLP-1 & Metabolic |
| Also known as | AM833, amylin analogue, CagriSema partner | LY3298176, Mounjaro, Zepbound |
| Evidence | Investigational (in trials) | FDA-approved |
| Dosing range | 0.3mg–2.4mg mg, once weekly subcutaneous | 2.5mg–15mg mg, Once weekly subcutaneous injection |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection | Subcutaneous injection (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm) |
| Key side effects | Nausea, Vomiting, Injection site reactions, Decreased appetite | Nausea (most common, especially during titration), Vomiting, Diarrhea, Constipation |
| Cited sources | 2 references | 4 references |
Key differences
- Evidence level differs: Cagrilintide is investigational (in trials), while Tirzepatide is fda-approved.
- Administration: Cagrilintide — Subcutaneous injection; Tirzepatide — Subcutaneous injection (abdomen, thigh, or upper arm).
- Frequency: Cagrilintide is typically once weekly subcutaneous; Tirzepatide is Once weekly subcutaneous injection.
- Research depth: this profile cites 2 sources for Cagrilintide vs 4 for Tirzepatide.
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.
Tirzepatide
The SURMOUNT-1 trial (N=2539) demonstrated up to 22.5% mean body weight reduction over 72 weeks at the 15mg dose — the highest efficacy ever recorded for a pharmaceutical weight loss agent at time of publication. The dual mechanism leverages GIP's potentiation of insulin secretion and adipose tissue effects alongside GLP-1's appetite suppression and gastric motility slowing. Head-to-head data (SURMOUNT-5) shows tirzepatide outperforms semaglutide 2.4mg for weight loss.
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.