Skip to content
Aminoscope
Head-to-head

CagriSema vs Retatrutide

Two investigational obesity molecules at different stages: a Phase 3 amylin plus GLP-1 combination, and a Phase 2 triple agonist holding the larger number.

By Julian RothResearch & dataUpdated October 2026

Short answer

In their pivotal trials, retatrutide led to 24.2% at 48 weeks in a published Phase 2 obesity trial, and CagriSema to 20.4% at 68 weeks in REDEFINE 1. Those figures come from separate trials, not a head-to-head study. Neither is FDA-approved yet; both are still investigational in the US.

CagriSema

Clinical data

~20% in REDEFINE 1; amylin plus GLP-1 in one shot — promising, not yet approved.

Full CagriSema evidence review

Retatrutide

Clinical data

Up to ~28% at 80 weeks in its Phase 3 topline — the largest figure reported for any incretin, but not approved anywhere.

Full Retatrutide evidence review

CagriSema vs Retatrutide: head to head

FDA status / approved use

CagriSema

Investigational; Phase 3 REDEFINE trials completed, regulatory status still pending

Retatrutide

Investigational, in Phase 3; not approved anywhere
Marketed for

CagriSema

Weight loss

Retatrutide

Weight loss
Outcome areas

CagriSema

Weight loss / appetite

Retatrutide

Weight loss / appetite
Evidence grade

CagriSema

Clinical data

Retatrutide

Clinical data
How it works

CagriSema

Pairs an amylin analog with a GLP-1 agonist to curb appetite two ways

Retatrutide

Activates GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptors at once
Route and dosing

CagriSema

Injection, once weekly

Retatrutide

Once-weekly injection
Headline human result

CagriSema

20.4% mean weight loss vs 3% on placebo at 68 weeks (REDEFINE 1, 2.4 mg + 2.4 mg weekly)

Retatrutide

24.2% mean weight loss vs 2.1% on placebo at 48 weeks (Phase 2 (obesity), 12 mg weekly)
Strongest evidence

CagriSema

REDEFINE 1, NEJM 2025CagriSema evidence reviewPubMed 40544433

Retatrutide

Phase 2, NEJM 2023Retatrutide evidence reviewPubMed 37366315
Key safety signal

CagriSema

GI side effects common; no long-term cardiovascular-outcomes evidence yet

Retatrutide

Common, dose-related nausea, vomiting and diarrhea; long-term safety of the glucagon component unknown
How it is obtained

CagriSema

Legitimately available only inside clinical trials; vials sold online are gray-market research chemicals

Retatrutide

Legitimately available only inside clinical trials; vials sold online are gray-market research chemicals

marks a row where the two differ. “Not established” marks a cell the available evidence does not answer. Evidence grades come from our evidence matrix, which grades each molecule on the human data for the use it is marketed for.

Clinical data:
Tested in humans — but investigational, discontinued, or proven only on a surrogate marker (not the marketed outcome).

Our verdict

Neither is approved and neither can be prescribed; both remain research-stage. Retatrutide posted the bigger figure, about 24.2% at 12 mg in a 48-week Phase 2 trial of 338 adults, with a weight curve that had not clearly plateaued when the study closed. CagriSema's roughly 20% in REDEFINE 1 is a smaller number resting on more mature Phase 3 evidence, including a read-out in people who also have type 2 diabetes. They have not been compared directly, and neither has long-term outcomes data.

CagriSema fits if

You weigh trial stage above headline magnitude and want the combination that has already produced Phase 3 results in people with and without diabetes.

Retatrutide fits if

You are tracking the largest weight-loss signal reported for any incretin and accept that it is still mid-stage evidence.

CagriSema vs Retatrutide: common questions

Is either CagriSema or retatrutide FDA-approved?
No. CagriSema is investigational; Phase 3 REDEFINE trials completed, regulatory status still pending. Retatrutide is investigational, in Phase 3; not approved anywhere.
Which has stronger human evidence, CagriSema or retatrutide?
Neither clearly. Both have human clinical data. The key source for CagriSema is REDEFINE 1, NEJM 2025; for retatrutide, it is phase 2, NEJM 2023.
What are the main safety concerns with CagriSema and retatrutide?
For CagriSema, watch for common GI side effects; no long-term cardiovascular-outcomes evidence yet. For retatrutide, watch for common, dose-related nausea, vomiting and diarrhea; long-term safety of the glucagon component unknown.

Key studies behind each

CagriSema

  1. Lau DCW, Erichsen L, Francisco AM, et al. (2021). Once-weekly cagrilintide for weight management in people with overweight and obesity: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled and active-controlled, dose-finding phase 2 trial. Lancet. PubMed 34798060
  2. Enebo LB, Berthelsen KK, Kankam M, et al. (2021). Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of concomitant administration of multiple doses of cagrilintide with semaglutide 2.4 mg for weight management: a randomised, controlled, phase 1b trial. Lancet. PubMed 33894838
  3. Garvey WT, Blüher M, Osorto Contreras CK, et al. (2025). Coadministered Cagrilintide and Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity (REDEFINE 1). N Engl J Med. PubMed 40544433
  4. Verma S, et al. (2026). CagriSema Reduces Blood Pressure in Adults With Overweight or Obesity: REDEFINE 1. Hypertension. PubMed 41328546

Retatrutide

  1. Jastreboff AM, Kaplan LM, Frías JP, et al. (2023). Triple-Hormone-Receptor Agonist Retatrutide for Obesity - A Phase 2 Trial. N Engl J Med. PubMed 37366315
  2. Rosenstock J, Frias J, Jastreboff AM, et al. (2023). Retatrutide, a GIP, GLP-1 and glucagon receptor agonist, for people with type 2 diabetes: a randomised, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled, parallel-group, phase 2 trial conducted in the USA. Lancet. PubMed 37385280

The full evidence reviews

Related comparisons