Cagrilintide vs Sermorelin
A detailed comparison to help you understand the differences and choose the right peptide for your research goals.
Cagrilintide
Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analog in development, showing promising results when combined with semaglutide (CagriSema). Amylin is a hormone co-secreted with insulin that promotes satiety.
Full details →Sermorelin
Sermorelin is a synthetic analog of GHRH consisting of the first 29 amino acids of the natural hormone. It was previously FDA-approved for GH deficiency diagnosis and treatment in children.
Full details →Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | Cagrilintide | Sermorelin |
|---|---|---|
| Dose Range | 300 mcg–4.5 mg | 100 mcg–300 mcg |
| Frequency | Less than daily | 1x daily |
| Cycle Length | 26–68 weeks | 8–12 weeks |
| Route | subcutaneous | subcutaneous |
| Mechanism | Activates amylin receptors (calcitonin receptor with RAMP proteins) to slow gastric emptying, suppress glucagon secretion, and reduce food intake through central satiety mechanisms distinct from GLP-1. | Binds to GHRH receptors in the pituitary gland to stimulate natural GH production and release. Maintains the body's natural feedback mechanisms for GH regulation. |
| Typical Dosage | Clinical trials: 2.4mg weekly as monotherapy or in combination with semaglutide 2.4mg (CagriSema). Optimal dosing still being determined. | Typical dosing: 200-500mcg administered once daily, usually before bed. Some protocols use twice daily dosing. |
| Administration | Subcutaneous injection once weekly. Currently only available in clinical trials - not yet FDA approved. | Subcutaneous injection, preferably at bedtime to work with natural GH release patterns. Can be combined with GHRPs for synergistic effects. |
| Side Effects | Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation similar to other incretin-based therapies. Combination with semaglutide may increase GI effects initially. | Generally well-tolerated. May cause injection site reactions, headache, flushing, or dizziness. Less side effects than direct GH administration. |
| Best For |
What They Have in Common
Cagrilintide, Sermorelin are both commonly used for:
Key Differences
Unique to Sermorelin:
Which Has Stronger Evidence?
- Fat Loss: Cagrilintide has stronger research support.
| Goal | Cagrilintide | Sermorelin |
|---|---|---|
| Fat Loss | high | medium |
Key Studies
Cagrilintide
- Efficacy and safety of co-administered cagrilintide and semaglutide versus semaglutide alone in adults with overweight or obesity with or without type 2 diabetes in Japan and Taiwan (REDEFINE 5): a multicentre, randomised, active-controlled, phase 3a trial.
The lancet. Diabetes & endocrinology, 2026
- A cross-species atlas of the dorsal vagal complex reveals neural mediators of the effects of cagrilintide on energy balance.
Nature metabolism, 2026
- Cagrilintide-Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes.
The New England journal of medicine, 2025
Sermorelin
- A potentially effective drug for patients with recurrent glioma: sermorelin.
Annals of translational medicine, 2021
- Sermorelin: a better approach to management of adult-onset growth hormone insufficiency?
Clinical interventions in aging, 2006
- Sermorelin: a review of its use in the diagnosis and treatment of children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency.
BioDrugs : clinical immunotherapeutics, biopharmaceuticals and gene therapy, 1999
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