What is CagriSema and what does it do?

Source: Novo Nordisk

What is CagriSema?

CagriSema is a medicine that combines two active ingredients in one injection:  

• semaglutide 
• cagrilintide 

CagriSema contains these active ingredients in equal parts. Semaglutide and cagrilintide mimic hormones that play an essential role in managing diabetes and weight. Both coordinate different functions in the body. What is new is that research is being conducted into a combination of semaglutide and cagrilintide. By combining these two complementary pharmaceutical ingredients, Novo Nordisk hopes to achieve superior weight loss results and blood sugar control.  

How does CagriSema work?

What makes CagriSema so effective is that it combines two active ingredients: semaglutide and cagrilintide. Both have specific functions. Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist, a hormone which among other things helps lower blood sugar levels by making more insulin, slowing gastric emptying and reducing appetite. Cagrilintide acts in the same way as the naturally occurring hormone amylin. Amylin is a hormone secreted by the pancreatic beta cells in response to food intake and plays a crucial role in appetite regulation by slowing gastric emptying and promoting satiety. This is why this hormone is important for people who are obese or overweight.  

What are the benefits of CagriSema?

CagriSema has shown positive effects on blood sugar regulation and may reduce the risk of serious complications in people with type 2 diabetes. However, further long-term research is necessary to determine its sustained efficacy. 

CagriSema also seems to be a powerful treatment option for weight management. Recent research results have demonstrated superior weight loss in obese or overweight adults. Weight loss has been associated with improved blood sugar control and may contribute to healthier metabolic functions. The long-term effects on metabolism still need to be established. 

Preliminary results

CagriSema is still being studied in clinical trials. Novo Nordisk has recently announced the results of the completed first phase, a 68-week trial. During the trial, the effect of the administration of three different medicines was measured: CagriSema, cagrilintide and semaglutide.  

• Patients who received CagriSema achieved a weight loss of 22.7%. 
• Patients treated with cagrilintide alone achieved a weight loss of 11.8%. 
• Patients treated with semaglutide alone achieved a weight loss of 16.1%.  

The difference is clear and significant. Based on the results of this phase of the research, CagriSema also appears to be safe for adults with obesity. 

Possible side effects

The results are highly encouraging. However, like all medicines, CagriSema may cause side effects. Later phases of research study may reveal more or different side effects. To date, these mild gastrointestinal side effects have been reported:  

• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Diarrhoea 

These are the same side effects as those observed with weight loss medications currently on the market. According to Novo Nordisk, the side effects should diminish or disappear as patients continue to use the medication over a longer period of time.  

Conclusion

CagriSema represents a promising new avenue for effective diabetes and obesity management. The combined effects of cagrilintide and semaglutide in CagriSema offer potential benefits beyond the current treatments. The early results are promising, but further research is needed to gain insight into the effectiveness of CagriSema and its effects on the body.  

Doctoronline will continue to follow the developments surrounding this new drug and share updates as they become available. Are you currently living with obesity and struggling to lose weight? Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of affiliated doctors.