Description
CagriSema is an investigational once-weekly injection being developed by Novo Nordisk — the same company behind Wegovy, Ozempic and Saxenda. It's a fixed-dose combination of two different medicines in a single pen: semaglutide 2.4 mg (a GLP-1 receptor agonist, the same active ingredient as Wegovy) and cagrilintide 2.4 mg (a long-acting amylin analogue, a new type of weight-management molecule). If licensed, it would be the first dual amylin + GLP-1 combination therapy for obesity.
How it works
Most currently licensed weight loss injections, including Wegovy and Mounjaro, work through a single hormone pathway (or two, in Mounjaro's case). CagriSema adds a second, complementary mechanism by combining two approaches in one weekly dose:
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Semaglutide mimics the natural gut hormone GLP-1. It reduces appetite, slows stomach emptying, and helps regulate blood sugar. This is the same mechanism people on Wegovy are already familiar with.
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Cagrilintide is a long-acting version of amylin — another hormone your pancreas naturally releases alongside insulin when you eat. Amylin helps signal fullness to the brain and slows how quickly food leaves the stomach.
Novo Nordisk's hypothesis is that acting on both pathways at once produces greater and more consistent weight loss than either mechanism alone — and the REDEFINE trial data supports that, with CagriSema outperforming semaglutide and cagrilintide as standalone treatments in head-to-head trial arms.
Who it may be suitable for
Eligibility won't be confirmed for the UK until the MHRA issues a licence and NICE publishes any appraisal guidance. Based on Novo Nordisk's submission to the FDA and existing UK GLP-1 prescribing patterns, CagriSema is being developed for:
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Adults with a BMI of 30 or above (obesity), or
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Adults with a BMI of 27 or above who also have at least one weight-related health condition (such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or obstructive sleep apnoea)
As with all GLP-1 treatments, CagriSema is being studied as part of a structured plan that also includes a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.
Side Effects
Side effects (based on trial data)
As with Wegovy, Mounjaro and other GLP-1 medicines, the most common side effects seen in REDEFINE trials were gastrointestinal and most noticeable during dose increases:
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Nausea, indigestion or reflux
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Vomiting
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Constipation or diarrhoea
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Reduced appetite (also the intended effect)
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Injection-site reactions (mild, usually short-lived)
Because cagrilintide also acts on fullness and gastric emptying, nausea-type side effects may be somewhat more prominent than with semaglutide alone. Discontinuation rates in trials were, however, low — in one published REDEFINE arm, around 1% of participants stopped due to side effects, compared with 0.1% on placebo.
Typical GLP-1 comfort tips
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Eat smaller, slower meals and stop at comfortable fullness
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Prioritise lean protein, fibre and fluids; keep very fatty or spicy foods modest
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Avoid lying flat immediately after meals if you're prone to reflux
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Gentle walks can help with bloating
Additional Info
Serious safety information
As a combination of two GLP-1/amylin-class molecules, CagriSema is likely to carry the same class-level cautions seen across the GLP-1 family — including a class warning regarding thyroid C-cell tumours based on animal studies (not confirmed in humans), and avoidance in people with a personal or family history of medullary thyroid cancer or Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2. Pancreatitis and gallbladder problems are known class risks. Definitive UK-specific precautions will only be confirmed once the MHRA issues a Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC).
FAQs
Is CagriSema available on the NHS?
No. CagriSema is not licensed anywhere in the world yet. Even after any future MHRA approval, NHS availability would depend on a separate appraisal by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), which typically takes several months after MHRA approval. Realistic NHS access would be 2027 at the earliest.
When will CagriSema be available in the UK?
No confirmed timeline has been announced. Novo Nordisk filed with the FDA in December 2025 and an FDA decision is expected around October 2026. Typically, UK MHRA approval follows the US lead by 6–12 months. A realistic window for private UK prescribing is therefore late 2026 to mid 2027, assuming the FDA approves on schedule and MHRA submission proceeds.
Can I buy CagriSema online now?
No. CagriSema isn't licensed in any country yet, so there is no legitimate supply. Any website, social media account or clinic claiming to sell CagriSema in the UK today is doing so unlawfully, and cannot guarantee that the product is genuine, correctly dosed, or safely manufactured. Compounded or "research" versions of cagrilintide sold online are also not legal for human use.
How does CagriSema compare to Wegovy?
CagriSema contains the same semaglutide dose as Wegovy (2.4 mg), but adds cagrilintide alongside it. In REDEFINE 1, CagriSema produced around 20% real-world average weight loss, compared with 16% for semaglutide 2.4 mg alone — a meaningful step up. Both are once-weekly injections.
How does CagriSema compare to Mounjaro?
In REDEFINE 4, a direct head-to-head trial against Mounjaro 15 mg, CagriSema achieved around 23% weight loss but did not statistically prove it was non-inferior to tirzepatide at that dose. In practice this means the two treatments are likely to be broadly similar in effectiveness, with Mounjaro currently having the larger published evidence base. Without further trials, it's fair to say CagriSema and Mounjaro look like the two most potent weight loss options in late-stage development, with CagriSema offering a different mechanism (amylin + GLP-1 vs GIP + GLP-1).
Can I put my name on a waiting list?
We don't maintain waiting lists for unlicensed medicines. The most reliable way to stay informed is to subscribe to our newsletter — we publish updates as UK licensing develops. If you want to start a weight management treatment now, our weight loss service offers consultations for Wegovy and Mounjaro.
What happens if I stop taking CagriSema?
Evidence across the GLP-1 class shows that stopping treatment usually leads to some weight regain over time, particularly without sustained changes to diet and activity. Several REDEFINE trials are specifically looking at long-term maintenance and dose-tapering strategies for CagriSema, but this data is still being collected.
What's the difference between CagriSema and Wegovy's oral tablet?
They're two different Novo Nordisk projects. CagriSema is a weekly injection combining semaglutide with a new amylin analogue. Oral semaglutide 25 mg is a once-daily tablet formulation of semaglutide alone at a higher weight-management dose (not yet licensed in the UK). They target different patient preferences — CagriSema is for people who want the strongest possible weight loss in injection form; oral semaglutide is for people who prefer a daily tablet.
Who makes CagriSema?
Who makes CagriSema? CagriSema is developed by Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company behind Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus and SaxendaCagriSema is developed by Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company behind Wegovy, Ozempic, Rybelsus and Saxenda.
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