Tirzepatide vs CagriSema
It is the weekly shot behind Mounjaro and Zepbound, used for diabetes and weight loss. Large trials show 15% to 21% weight loss. A weekly weight-loss shot that combines two hormones. Large trials show about 20% weight loss over 68 weeks, but it is not yet approved.
Both sit at grade A: strong human evidence. Tirzepatide: FDA approved. CagriSema: In clinical trials.
Evidence
AStrong human evidence
AStrong human evidence
Human studies cited
Animal or cell studies cited
Why the grade
Tirzepatide's weight-loss use rests on the SURMOUNT program of randomized placebo-controlled trials, the largest being SURMOUNT-1 with 2,539 adults, plus trials in type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, weight maintenance and diabetes prevention. Every approved indication was granted on randomized data, so it grades A.
Two large phase 3 randomized placebo-controlled trials support the weight-loss use: REDEFINE 1 randomized 3,417 adults with overweight or obesity and REDEFINE 2 randomized 1,206 adults with type 2 diabetes, both over 68 weeks. A thorough QT study (105 participants) and a phase 2 trial of cagrilintide alone round out the human data. What is missing is regulatory approval and long-term outcome data beyond 68 weeks.
FDA
FDA approved
Tirzepatide is approved by the FDA as Mounjaro (2022) for type 2 diabetes in adults, extended to children 10 and older and to cardiovascular risk reduction in adults with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease, and as Zepbound (2023) for chronic weight management and for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity.
In clinical trials
CagriSema is not approved by the FDA for any use as of 2026-10-26. Novo Nordisk reported submitting it to the FDA for weight management, and the application is under review; no product name has been approved.
Sold for
Tirzepatide is the weight-loss injection that outperformed semaglutide, cutting body weight by about a fifth in trials.
CagriSema is talked about as the next step after semaglutide: a weekly injection combining two hormones that early company statements suggested could beat tirzepatide on weight loss.
Studies say
Multiple large randomized trials show weight loss of 15 to 21 percent, better glucose control than other diabetes drugs, and improvement in sleep apnea, with weight regain after stopping, which is a clean A.
Published phase 3 trials show roughly 20% body-weight loss over 68 weeks against 3% on placebo, which earns an A for the weight-loss use, but the head-to-head trial against tirzepatide missed its primary goal.
Class
Dual GIP + GLP-1 receptor agonist
Amylin + GLP-1 combination
Route
Injection
Injection