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Comparison

Cagrilintide vs Retatrutide

How Cagrilintide and Retatrutide compare on research category, evidence tier, regulatory status, and reported side effects.

The verdict

Both are next-generation metabolic peptides in active trials, but they work differently. Cagrilintide is a long-acting amylin analog often studied alongside semaglutide, while Retatrutide is a triple agonist (GLP-1, GIP, glucagon) posting some of the largest weight-loss figures reported so far. Neither is FDA-approved yet. Retatrutide has the bigger standalone effect-size headlines; Cagrilintide's story is mostly as a combination partner. Both are ones-to-watch, not settled options.

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Cagrilintide
Fat LossEvidence: Moderate

Cagrilintide is an amylin agonist, a different appetite-control pathway than the GLP-1 drugs. Often paired with Semaglutide as 'CagriSema' for weight loss that breaks past GLP-1 plateaus. Once-weekly injection.

Onset
80
Documentation
95
Side intensity
82
Popularity
65
003
Retatrutide
Fat LossEvidence: Moderate

Retatrutide is the newest weight-loss compound in development at Eli Lilly. It's a stronger cousin of Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) and pulls bigger weight loss in trials, often 20%+ of body weight. One injection per week. Side effects are real, especially in the first few weeks.

Onset
80
Documentation
95
Side intensity
100
Popularity
90
Side-by-side
Field
Left
Right
Category
Fat Loss
Fat Loss
Half-life
~7 days
~6 days
Route
Subcutaneous
Subcutaneous
Schedule
Once weekly
Once weekly
Cycle length
Open-ended
Open-ended, titrate over 4-6 months
Dose
Start 0.3 mg sub-q weekly. Titrate to 2.4 mg over 4-week steps. Common max 2.4 mg.
Start 2mg sub-q weekly. Titrate by 2mg every 4 weeks based on tolerance. Trials went up to 12mg; most users plateau benefit at 8-12mg.
FDA
Investigational. Phase 3 trials by Novo Nordisk, often paired with semaglutide as 'CagriSema'.
Investigational. In Phase 3 trials with Eli Lilly. Not yet approved.
WADA
Not listed
Not listed
Natty?
Not natty
Not natty
Prescribed
Not yet approved. Trial access only.
Not yet available by prescription. Trial-only access through Lilly's clinical program.
Top side effects
Mild nausea; Reduced appetite; Constipation
Nausea (especially first 2 weeks of each titration step); Vomiting; Constipation or diarrhea

Which one should you pick?

Pick Cagrilintide if users plateaued on semaglutide or tirzepatide or people wanting cleaner satiety without bigger glp-1 nausea.

Pick Retatrutide if people plateaued on tirzepatide or users targeting >15% body weight loss.

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