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Cagrilintide vs Liraglutide: side-by-side comparison

GLP-1 Agonist

AM833 · NNC0174-0833 · Cagri

A long-acting amylin analog developed by Novo Nordisk. Amylin is a satiety hormone released alongside insulin after meals, and it works through a different pathway than GLP-1, so cagrilintide complements GLP-1 agonists rather than duplicating them. It is best known as the amylin half of CagriSema, the fixed-dose once-weekly combination of cagrilintide 2.4mg and semaglutide 2.4mg, which produced 22.7% mean weight loss at 68 weeks in the REDEFINE 1 trial assuming full adherence (the treatment-policy estimate, which counts everyone regardless of adherence, was 20.4%).

3.0/10 natty
Full breakdown →
VS
GLP-1 Agonist

Saxenda · Victoza

The original GLP-1 receptor agonist for weight management, with 97% amino acid homology to human GLP-1. Less potent than semaglutide (~8% vs ~16% weight loss) and requires daily injection vs weekly, but now available as generic making it a more affordable option. Works through appetite suppression, delayed gastric emptying, and central satiety signals.

3.0/10 natty
Full breakdown →

3 / 10 natty scale / 3

Same lane

Both sit in the same class and are run for cutting. This is a like-for-like comparison: read the gaps as real trade-offs.

The tape

Core ratings

The same three rulers every entry on the site is scored with, read head to head.

CagrilintideLiraglutide
3.0

Natty scale

1 natural · 10 heavy

3.0
3.5

Effectiveness

Documented effect · of 5

3.5
2.5

Side-effect severity

Documented burden · of 5

2.5

Cost side

Body-load fingerprint

Where each one actually lands its strain, on the calculator's thirteen channels. Tap a row for what it means and which labs track it.

CagrilintideLiraglutide

Systemic

Injection & site care

Bars show strain at each one's typical protocol, not your dose. ≈ marks values inferred from side-effect data or category rather than hand-graded. For your numbers, run the calculator.

Logistics

The vitals

CagrilintideLiraglutide
GLP-1 Agonist
Classmatch
GLP-1 Agonist
Subcutaneous
Routematch
Subcutaneous
0.3-4.5 mg/weekOnce weekly subcutaneous injection
Typical dose
0.6-3 mg/dayOnce daily subcutaneous injection (any time of day, with or without food)
~7-8 days (~180 hours)
Half-life
~13 hours
12-52 weeks
Typical run
16-52 weeks
Research chemical
Legal status
Prescription only
Unclear
WADA
Not prohibited

Benefit side

What each is for

Shared goals carry both dots; a goal with one dot belongs to that side alone.

CagrilintideLiraglutide
CuttingHealth

Run for

Appetite SuppressionAmylin-receptor agonism promotes satiety and slows gastric emptying, reducing food intake through a pathway separate from GLP-1.
Weight LossMonotherapy produced ~9.1% weight loss at 2.4mg and ~10.8% at 4.5mg over 26 weeks in Phase 2. As part of CagriSema it contributes to ~22.7% mean loss at 68 weeks.
GLP-1 Combination (CagriSema)Designed to be paired with semaglutide. The amylin + GLP-1 combination outperforms either agent alone (22.7% vs 16.1% for semaglutide and 11.8% for cagrilintide in REDEFINE 1).

Documented upside

  • Distinct amylin mechanism that stacks with GLP-1 agonists
  • Strong combination results as CagriSema (~22.7% mean weight loss at 68 weeks)
  • Once-weekly subcutaneous dosing
  • Generally well tolerated at lower doses
  • Improves multiple metabolic markers alongside weight loss

Run for

Weight LossSCALE trials: 8.0% mean weight loss at 56 weeks. 63% achieved >5% loss, 33% achieved >10% loss.
Appetite SuppressionCentral GLP-1 receptor activation reduces hunger and increases satiety. Delayed gastric emptying prolongs feeling of fullness.
Visceral Fat ReductionStudies show 12.5-23% reduction in visceral adipose tissue. Particularly effective at reducing abdominal fat.
Cost-Effective GLP-1 OptionGeneric available 2024-2025, making it more affordable than semaglutide or tirzepatide for those who can tolerate daily injections.

Documented upside

  • FDA-approved for weight management
  • SCALE trials: 8.0% weight loss at 56 weeks
  • 63% of users achieve >5% weight loss
  • Visceral fat reduction 12.5-23%
  • Generic now available (more affordable)
+3 more on the full page

The downsides

Side effects, aligned

Each entry's documented side effects, sorted onto the same body systems so the gaps and the overlaps are visible. Tap any effect for the detail.

CagrilintideLiraglutide

None documented

Mood, sleep & CNS
Injection site

None documented

Other documented effects

The exit

Hormonal fallout & recovery

What each does to your own hormone axis while on, and what leaving it costs.

CagrilintideLiraglutide
Not required
PCT
Not required
While-on only
What sticks
While-on only

Cagrilintide

Not hormonal (in the anabolic sense). Does not affect the HPTA. No PCT required. Weight regain is common after stopping unless habits are maintained.

Liraglutide

Does not affect HPT axis. No PCT required. Weight regain is common after discontinuation - consider as long-term therapy.

Read-out

How they separate

  1. 01

    Enhancement

    They land at almost the same point on the natty scale (3/10 vs 3/10): a similar distance beyond natural.

  2. 02

    Coming off

    Neither requires PCT: both leave the natural testosterone axis running.

  3. 03

    Logistics

    typical runs are 12-52 weeks vs 16-52 weeks.

Generated from each entry's data file. Descriptive, not a recommendation; nothing here is medical advice.

Full breakdownCagrilintide→Full breakdownLiraglutide→

More matchups

Cagrilintide vs SemaglutideCagrilintide vs TirzepatideLiraglutide vs SemaglutideLiraglutide vs Tirzepatide