Setmelanotide vs Cotadutide

Head-to-head comparison of Setmelanotide (Setmelanotide Acetate) and Cotadutide (MEDI0382, long-acting GLP-1 and glucagon receptor dual agonist) — benefits, dosing, side effects, research data, and where to buy.

Research Score

PropertySetmelanotideCotadutide
CategoryWeight ManagementWeight Management
Full NameSetmelanotide AcetateMEDI0382, long-acting GLP-1 and glucagon receptor dual agonist
Molecular WeightN/A~4,700 Da
Half-LifeApproximately 11-16 hoursApproximately 24 hours
Amino AcidsN/A37
Typical Dose1-3 mg daily0.3-3 mg daily in clinical studies
RouteSubcutaneousSubcutaneous
Purity≥98%≥98%
Studies Count8018
Research StatusClinicalClinical

Setmelanotide Benefits

  • reduced hyperphagia
  • body-weight reduction
  • MC4R pathway activation
  • improved satiety signaling

Cotadutide Benefits

  • body-weight reduction
  • improved insulin sensitivity
  • reduced hepatic fat
  • appetite suppression

Setmelanotide Dosing

1 mg SC daily|titrate weekly to 2-3 mg/day|follow study or label-based escalation

Cotadutide Dosing

Once-daily SC in trials|Start low and titrate based on tolerance|Monitor GI adverse effects

Setmelanotide Side Effects

  • hyperpigmentation
  • nausea
  • injection-site reactions
  • fatigue

Cotadutide Side Effects

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea

Research Overview

Setmelanotide

Setmelanotide has shown clinically meaningful reductions in hunger and weight in POMC, PCSK1, and LEPR-related obesity. It is one of the most important mechanistic peptides for rare-disease obesity research.

Cotadutide

Phase 2 studies reported dose-dependent weight loss and favorable changes in glycemic and liver-related markers. It is one of the most cited synthetic dual-agonist peptides for obesity research.

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Common Stacking Partners

Setmelanotide stacks with:

metformindietary-calorie-deficitexercise

Cotadutide stacks with:

dietary-calorie-restrictionexercise-program
mc4r-agonisthyperphagiarare-obesitysatietyGLP-1glucagon-coagonistdual-agonistobesity-research