CagriSema

What is CagriSema?

CagriSema is a new weight loss medication that combines two medicines: cagrilintide and semaglutide. It is given as a simple once-a-week injection. This treatment is designed to help with weight loss for people facing obesity.

How does CagriSema Work?

CagriSema works by combining two medicines that help with weight loss and improving metabolism:

• Cagrilintide: A long-acting amylin analogue. Designed to supresse appetite by acting on the brain’s hunger signals. It also slows digestion, helping you feel full for longer after eating.

• Semaglutide: A GLP-1 receptor agonist.

  Reduces hunger, making you feel more satisfied sooner, and helps control blood sugar by improving insulin levels and reducing glucagon.

Each of these drugs mimics the actions of a hormone in your body; enabling patients to lose weight effectively, by slowing the digestion of food, helping you feel more full, reduce your appetite and calorie intake.

What Are the Side Effects of CagriSema?

As this treatment has not yet been released, we do not have a full list of possible side effects. Based on the ingredients, however, it is likely that the most common side effects may include nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and headaches.

Although Novo Nordisk has not went in to any details of side effects during trials, they did confirm that the most common adverse events with CagriSema were gastrointestinal, and the vast majority were mild to moderate and diminished over time. Which would be consistent with the known profiles of GLP-1 receptor agonists.

How to Take CagriSema

Much like its component ingredients, CagriSema will be an injectable medication, administered as a once weekly, typically into the abdomen, thigh, or upper arm.

How to Store CagriSema

Official storage instructions for CagriSema have not yet been released. However, it is likely that CagriSema would need to be kept refrigerated between 2°C and 8°C (36°F to 46°F) when not in use to maintain its stability and efficacy.

Always store medications out of sight and reach of children.

Contraindications and Interactions

A complete list of contraindications and drug interactions has not yet been released. A full list will be published in the patient information leaflet when the drug becomes available.

Based on the active ingredients of this medication we can likely considerations of CagriSema may be:

To be avoided:

• If you or a family member has had medullary thyroid cancer or a rare hormonal disorder called MEN 2.

• If you are allergic to any ingredient in CagriSema.

• If you have serious digestive issues like gastroparesis (slowed stomach emptying).

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Potential Interactions:

• Oral medicines: As CagriSema may slow digestion, this could affect how some tablets ,pills work or even capsules.

• Similar medications: Using them together increases the chance of side effects like nausea or low blood sugar.

• Diabetes medications (e.g., insulin or sulfonylureas): These may cause low blood sugar when combined with CagriSema, attentive monitoring would be recommended.

• Critical medicines (like blood thinners or thyroid drugs): The way these medicines are absorbed may change when taken with CagriSema.

The above considerations are ONLY what could be expected based on the ingredients of CagriSema. It’s important that you read the patient information leaflet and inform the prescribing doctor of any medications you are taking before taking CagriSema to avoid any risky interactions.

CagriSema Price

When will CagriSema be Available?

Novo Nordisk plans to start a new trial in the first half of 2025 as they further the additional weight-loss potential of CagriSema. With that in mind it’s expected to submit the drug for regulatory approval towards the end of 2025, meaning it may be available as soon as 2026.

Points of Interest (so far) in CagriSema Trials:

1. Advanced Trials:

   Novo's trial is the most advanced for an amylin drug candidate currently being tested in the market.

2. Dual Mechanism of Action:

   CagriSema combines two powerful weight-loss mechanisms:

   • Cagrilintide, which mimics amylin, enhances satiety, and slows gastric emptying.

   • Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, suppresses appetite and regulates blood sugar.

   This dual approach targets hunger and calorie intake more effectively than either drug alone.

3. Superior Weight Loss Results:

   In the REDEFINE 1 trial, CagriSema achieved an average weight loss of 22.7% in adults with obesity, outperforming semaglutide (16.1%) and cagrilintide (11.8%) used alone.

   Over 40% of participants on CagriSema achieved a weight reduction of 25% or more.

4. Flexible Dosing:

   The trial used a flexible dosing protocol, allowing patients to adjust their dose based on tolerability. However, only 57% of patients reached the highest dose, suggesting potential room for improved protocols.

5. Potential Cardiovascular Benefits:

   Ongoing REDEFINE 3 trials are assessing whether CagriSema can reduce cardiovascular risks, a major concern for people with obesity or type 2 diabetes.

6. Possibly the Next Evolution of GLP-1 Injections:

   If approved, CagriSema could become a key competitor in the obesity treatment market, potentially rivalling Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide more commonly known as Mounjaro or Zepbound, which achieved 21% weight loss in clinical trials.

7. Tackling Obesity Globally:

   CagriSema is being studied in a comprehensive phase 3 program, including thousands of participants across multiple trials, reflecting the growing emphasis on tackling obesity as a chronic condition.

Learn more about Novo Nordisk’s CagriSema trial.