Head to head
CagriSema against Retatrutide
Two unapproved combinations aiming at the same territory, one pairing an amylin analogue with semaglutide and the other hitting three receptors in a single molecule. Neither has an approval and neither has been tested against the other, so the numbers people quote come from separate trials with different populations and lengths.
Column A
CagriSemaCagriSema (cagrilintide + semaglutide)
A fixed combination of the amylin analogue cagrilintide and semaglutide that produced about 23% weight loss in Phase 3 and has been filed for FDA approval.
Column B
RetatrutideRetatrutide (triple GLP-1/GIP/glucagon agonist)
An investigational once-weekly triple receptor agonist producing the largest pharmacological weight loss reported to date in trials.
Side by side, on the facts we can check
| Attribute | CagriSema | Retatrutide |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Metabolic | Metabolic |
| FDA status | Investigational; NDA submitted to the FDA in December 2025 (REDEFINE 1 and 2); decision expected 2026 | Investigational, not FDA-approved; Phase 3 TRIUMPH-1 reported May 2026; submission expected late 2026 |
| Half-life | ~7 days (weekly dosing) | ~6 days |
| Molecular weight | Mixture; cagrilintide 4,409 Da plus semaglutide 4,113.6 Da | ~4,731 Da |
| Mechanism | Simultaneously agonizes amylin receptors (satiety) and the GLP-1 receptor (appetite, insulin, gastric emptying) for additive weight loss. | Agonizes GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon receptors. The added glucagon activity increases energy expenditure and hepatic fat oxidation, complementing the appetite and insulin effects of the incretin receptors. |
| Human studies cited | 3 | 3 |
| Legal status, US | Investigational, not approved | Investigational, not approved for any indication |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between CagriSema and Retatrutide?
CagriSema: A fixed combination of the amylin analogue cagrilintide and semaglutide that produced about 23% weight loss in Phase 3 and has been filed for FDA approval. Retatrutide: An investigational once-weekly triple receptor agonist producing the largest pharmacological weight loss reported to date in trials.
Which has stronger research evidence, CagriSema or Retatrutide?
This database does not grade compounds. It counts what was run in people: 3 of the 3 studies cited on the CagriSema profile were human work, against 3 of 4 for Retatrutide. Those counts are of our own citation lists and understate any larger literature, and neither is a recommendation.
Are CagriSema and Retatrutide FDA-approved?
CagriSema: Investigational; NDA submitted to the FDA in December 2025 (REDEFINE 1 and 2); decision expected 2026. Retatrutide: Investigational, not FDA-approved; Phase 3 TRIUMPH-1 reported May 2026; submission expected late 2026.
Related posts
Blog articles that cover CagriSema or Retatrutide, newest first.
- Dispatch / Sep 12, 2026 / 8 minDispatch 001: Five Retatrutide Phase 3 Trials Have Finished And None Has Posted Results
- Metabolic / Sep 8, 2026 / 8 minTesofensine Is Not a Peptide: What It Is, the Trials, and the Heart-Rate Issue
- Metabolic / Sep 8, 2026 / 10 minOral GLP-1s in 2026: Wegovy Pill vs Foundayo (Orforglipron) vs Rybelsus, and What Is Coming
- Metabolic / Sep 8, 2026 / 9 minMariTide (Maridebart Cafraglutide): The Once-Monthly GLP-1 Agonist and GIP Blocker, Explained
Reviewed Sep 2026. This page sets two published records side by side. It is educational, it is not medical advice, and it contains no dosing protocols or recommendations for personal use.