Researchers tested a new medication called CagriSema on over 3,400 adults who were overweight or obese. The study lasted 68 weeks and compared CagriSema to a placebo (fake pill) while everyone also made lifestyle changes. People taking CagriSema had bigger drops in blood pressure than those taking the placebo. About 63% of people on CagriSema reached healthy blood pressure levels by the end, compared to only 32% in the placebo group. Interestingly, many people on CagriSema were able to reduce or stop taking their regular blood pressure medications. This suggests the drug could be helpful for people struggling with high blood pressure and weight.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Does a new two-ingredient medication called CagriSema help lower blood pressure in people who are overweight or obese?
  • Who participated: 3,417 adults without diabetes who were overweight or obese. Most had high blood pressure. They were divided into four groups: some got CagriSema, some got one ingredient alone, and some got a placebo. Everyone also received help with diet and exercise.
  • Key finding: People taking CagriSema had their systolic blood pressure drop by about 11 points, while the placebo group only dropped about 3 points. Nearly two-thirds of CagriSema users reached healthy blood pressure levels, compared to less than one-third in the placebo group.
  • What it means for you: CagriSema may be a helpful option for people with high blood pressure and excess weight who haven’t had good results with other treatments. However, this is one study, and you should talk to your doctor about whether it’s right for you. It’s not a replacement for healthy eating and exercise.

The Research Details

This was a large, carefully controlled experiment called a randomized controlled trial. Researchers randomly assigned 3,417 adults into four groups: one group received CagriSema (a combination of two medications), one group received just semaglutide, one group received just cagrilintide, and one group received a placebo. Nobody knew which group they were in until the study ended. Everyone also participated in a lifestyle program focused on healthy eating and exercise. The study lasted 68 weeks (about 15 months), and researchers measured blood pressure at the beginning and end.

The study was designed to test whether CagriSema could help with weight loss, but researchers also looked at how it affected blood pressure as a secondary goal. They paid special attention to people with different starting weights, those with high blood pressure, and those with hard-to-control high blood pressure (called resistant hypertension).

This type of study design is considered very reliable because the random assignment helps ensure that the groups are similar at the start, making it easier to tell if the medication actually caused the changes in blood pressure.

Using a randomized controlled trial design is important because it helps prove that the medication actually caused the blood pressure improvements, not other factors. By randomly assigning people to groups, researchers can be more confident that any differences between groups are due to the medication itself. The large number of participants (over 3,400) also makes the results more trustworthy because they’re less likely to be due to chance.

This study has several strengths: it’s large, it’s randomized (which is the gold standard), it lasted long enough to see real changes, and it was published in a respected medical journal. The study was also registered in advance, which is a good sign. One thing to note is that the study only included people without diabetes, so we don’t know if the results would be the same for people with diabetes. Also, most participants were probably from wealthy countries with access to good healthcare, so results might differ in other populations.

What the Results Show

The main finding was that CagriSema significantly lowered blood pressure more than placebo. The top number of blood pressure (systolic) dropped by about 11 points with CagriSema compared to only 3 points with placebo. The bottom number (diastolic) dropped by about 5 points with CagriSema versus 2 points with placebo. These differences are meaningful because even small drops in blood pressure can reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

When researchers looked at whether people reached healthy blood pressure targets, the results were even more impressive. About 63% of people taking CagriSema reached their blood pressure goals by week 68, compared to only 32% of those taking placebo. This means that nearly two out of three people on CagriSema got their blood pressure under control.

Another important finding was that many people on CagriSema were able to reduce or stop taking their regular blood pressure medications. About 40% of CagriSema users decreased or stopped their blood pressure pills, compared to only 19% in the placebo group. This is significant because it suggests the medication might reduce the need for other treatments.

The benefits appeared across many different groups of people, including those with different starting weights and those with hard-to-control high blood pressure. Even people with resistant hypertension (high blood pressure that doesn’t respond well to normal medications) showed improvement, though the improvement was smaller in this group.

The study also looked at how CagriSema affected weight loss, which was the main goal of the research. People taking CagriSema lost significantly more weight than those taking placebo, and this weight loss was connected to the blood pressure improvements. The more weight people lost, the more their blood pressure tended to drop. This suggests that some of the blood pressure benefit comes from losing weight, though the medication may also have direct effects on blood pressure.

Previous research has shown that losing weight can help lower blood pressure, and that semaglutide (one of the ingredients in CagriSema) can help with weight loss. This study is important because it shows that combining semaglutide with cagrilintide (a newer ingredient) works better than either one alone for both weight loss and blood pressure control. The results are consistent with what doctors would expect: when people lose weight, their blood pressure usually improves. However, the blood pressure improvements in this study were larger than what you’d typically expect from weight loss alone, suggesting the medications have additional benefits.

There are several important limitations to consider. First, the study only included people without diabetes, so we don’t know if the results apply to people with diabetes. Second, most participants were probably from developed countries with good healthcare access, so results might be different in other parts of the world. Third, the study lasted 68 weeks, which is good, but we don’t know if the benefits continue long-term or what happens if people stop taking the medication. Fourth, we don’t have complete information about side effects in this particular analysis. Finally, the study didn’t include people with the most severe forms of resistant hypertension, so we can’t be sure how well it works for the hardest-to-treat cases.

The Bottom Line

Based on this study, CagriSema may be worth considering for adults with high blood pressure and excess weight, especially those who haven’t had good results with other treatments. However, this should only be done under a doctor’s supervision. The evidence is strong (this is a large, well-designed study), but it’s still relatively new. Lifestyle changes like healthy eating and exercise remain important and should continue alongside any medication. Talk to your doctor about whether CagriSema is appropriate for your situation, as it may not be suitable for everyone.

This research is most relevant for adults who are overweight or obese and have high blood pressure. It may be especially interesting for people whose blood pressure hasn’t been well-controlled with other medications. People with diabetes should note that this study didn’t include them, so they should discuss applicability with their doctor. This research is less relevant for people with normal weight or well-controlled blood pressure. Pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions should not take this medication.

Based on this study, most people saw significant blood pressure improvements within 68 weeks (about 15 months). However, some improvements likely occurred earlier. The weight loss and blood pressure benefits appeared to develop gradually over the study period. It’s important to note that benefits may continue beyond 68 weeks, but we don’t have data on that yet. If you were to start this medication, you should expect to see changes over months, not days or weeks.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track systolic and diastolic blood pressure weekly at the same time of day. Record readings in the app along with weight, to see how blood pressure changes correlate with weight loss. Set a goal of reaching your target blood pressure (usually below 130/80 mm Hg) and monitor progress toward that goal.
  • Use the app to log daily adherence to the medication (if prescribed), track lifestyle changes like exercise minutes and healthy meals, and monitor blood pressure readings. Set reminders for medication timing and weekly blood pressure checks. Share trends with your healthcare provider during check-ups.
  • Create a dashboard showing blood pressure trends over weeks and months, weight changes, medication adherence, and lifestyle factors. Use this data to identify patterns (like blood pressure improvements after consistent exercise) and celebrate milestones. Share monthly summaries with your doctor to adjust treatment if needed.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. CagriSema is a prescription medication that requires a doctor’s evaluation and supervision. Do not start, stop, or change any blood pressure medications without consulting your healthcare provider. This study does not include people with diabetes, so results may not apply to that population. Individual results vary, and what works for one person may not work for another. Always discuss new treatment options with your doctor, including potential side effects, drug interactions, and whether the medication is appropriate for your specific health situation.