Skip to main content
MyPeptideMatch logoMyPeptideMatch
Reviewed by MyPeptideMatch Editorial TeamLast reviewed February 2026Updated February 2026

Cagrilintide Dosing Protocol: 5 mg Vial — Week-by-Week Titration & Supplies

Amylin analogue cagrilintide titration schedule using the 5 mg vial, based on Phase 2 CagriSema trial titration data.

Quickstart highlights

Cagrilintide is a fatty acid-modified, long-acting amylin analogue (Novo Nordisk, AM833) that activates amylin/calcitonin receptors in the hypothalamus (area postrema and ARC), producing satiety, slowing gastric emptying, and suppressing glucagon.

  • Concentration: 2.5 mg/mL (5 mg vial + 2 mL bacteriostatic water).
  • At 2.5 mg/mL: 0.25 mg = 10 units, 0.5 mg = 20 units, 1 mg = 40 units, 2.4 mg = 96 units.
  • Phase 3 REDEFINE trial maintenance dose: 2.4 mg once weekly (combined with semaglutide 2.4 mg).
  • One 5 mg vial provides 20 doses at 0.25 mg or 2 doses at 2.4 mg maintenance.
  • Refrigerate; use within 28 days.

Dosing table

For educational reference only. Your prescribing provider may adjust doses based on your clinical profile and response.

WeekDose (µg)UnitsFrequencyNotes
1-425010Once weekly0.25 mg starting dose — 10 units; one 5 mg vial provides 20 doses at this level
5-850020Once weekly0.5 mg — 20 units
9-12100040Once weekly1 mg — 40 units
13-16170068Once weekly1.7 mg — 68 units; use 100-unit syringe
17+240096Once weekly2.4 mg maintenance — 96 units; target dose from REDEFINE Phase 3 trials

Reconstitution steps

  1. Draw 2 mL bacteriostatic water; inject slowly down the vial wall.
  2. Swirl gently until lyophilized cake dissolves; do not shake.
  3. Final concentration: 2.5 mg/mL (5 mg / 2 mL). At 2.5 mg/mL: 1 unit = 25 µg.
  4. Label with date and concentration; refrigerate at 2–8 °C immediately.

Supplies needed

8-week plan

  • 1 vial
  • 8 syringes
  • 2 mL bac water
  • 8 alcohol swabs

16-week plan

  • 2 vials
  • 16 syringes
  • 4 mL bac water
  • 16 alcohol swabs

24-week plan

  • 3 vials
  • 24 syringes
  • 6 mL bac water
  • 24 alcohol swabs
Need clinics? See vetted providers →

Protocol overview & cycle notes

Titrate cagrilintide from 0.25 mg to the 2.4 mg maintenance dose over 16 weeks to achieve sustained amylin-mediated appetite suppression and complement GLP-1 agonist therapy in the CagriSema combination protocol.

Cycle length: 20 weeks on.

Off-cycle: 8 weeks off; monitor weight and appetite during off-cycle.

Storage & handling

Lyophilized: store below 25 °C. Reconstituted at 2.5 mg/mL: refrigerate 2–8 °C; use within 28 days. Do not freeze.

Injection & tracking tips

  • Cagrilintide is typically co-administered with semaglutide (CagriSema protocol); if combining, use separate syringes and sites.
  • Rotate injection sites weekly: abdomen, thigh, upper arm.
  • Nausea is most common in weeks 1–8; take injections in the evening to minimize daytime discomfort.

Tracking

Logging helps you and your provider spot patterns and adjust dose or timing.

  • Log body weight weekly; cagrilintide produces slower initial weight loss than GLP-1 agonists — full effects emerge at 8–12 weeks.
  • Record nausea and satiety level daily during the first 12 weeks.
  • Track caloric intake during the first month to calibrate dose timing relative to meals.
Log your cycle in the calculator →

How this works & references

Cagrilintide is a fatty acid-modified, long-acting amylin analogue (Novo Nordisk, AM833) that activates amylin/calcitonin receptors in the hypothalamus (area postrema and ARC), producing satiety, slowing gastric emptying, and suppressing glucagon. In the Phase 2 SCALE trial (NCT04755959), cagrilintide 2.4 mg + semaglutide 2.4 mg (CagriSema) achieved 15.6% body weight reduction versus 5.1% for cagrilintide alone and 10.9% for semaglutide alone. Phase 3 REDEFINE trials (NCT04982575) are ongoing with an 18-month endpoint.

Frequently asked questions

Is cagrilintide effective as a monotherapy?
Modest weight loss only — Phase 2 data showed 5.1% weight reduction with cagrilintide 2.4 mg monotherapy versus 10.9% for semaglutide alone and 15.6% for the combination. Cagrilintide's primary value is additive efficacy when combined with semaglutide.
How is cagrilintide different from pramlintide (Symlin)?
Cagrilintide has a 7-day half-life versus pramlintide's 48-minute half-life, enabling once-weekly dosing. Pramlintide requires dosing with every meal. Cagrilintide's fatty acid modification (akin to semaglutide's albumin binding) provides this extended action.
When is the CagriSema combination available?
CagriSema (cagrilintide 2.4 mg + semaglutide 2.4 mg) is in Phase 3 REDEFINE trials. FDA approval is anticipated 2027 or later. Currently available only through compounding pharmacies for research protocols.
Do I need to combine cagrilintide with semaglutide?
Not required — cagrilintide can be used as monotherapy, but clinical evidence suggests the combination produces approximately 3x greater weight loss than cagrilintide alone. Most compounding protocols offer cagrilintide alongside semaglutide for maximum efficacy.
What side effects should I watch for during titration?
Nausea and vomiting are most common in weeks 1–8, particularly at the 0.5 mg to 1 mg transition. Approximately 7.6% of participants in Phase 2 discontinued due to GI events. Slow titration (every 4 weeks) minimizes this risk.

Related protocols

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting any peptide therapy. Dosing and protocols may vary by formulation and prescriber.