Dermorphin vs Survodutide
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
Recovery & Repair
DermorphinGLP-1 / Weight Loss Agonists
Survodutide- Summary
- Dermorphin is a naturally occurring heptapeptide opioid isolated from the skin of South American phyllomedusine frogs. It is one of the most potent endogenous mu-opioid receptor agonists known, approximately 30-40 times more potent than morphine by weight. Explored for pain management and fatigue modulation.
- Survodutide is a once-weekly GLP-1/glucagon dual receptor agonist developed by Boehringer Ingelheim and Zealand Pharma. Phase 2 trials demonstrated up to 18.7% body weight reduction at 46 weeks, among the highest reported for a dual agonist. It is being studied for obesity and MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis), where the glucagon component drives hepatic fat clearance.
- Half-Life
- Estimated 30-60 minutes (longer than endorphins due to D-Ala)
- ~7 days
- Admin Route
- Subcutaneous (research), Intrathecal (research), Intranasal (research)
- SubQ
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- Not established for human use; research doses vary widely
- 0.6 mg → 2.4 mg → 4.8 mg → 6 mg
- Frequency
- Not established
- Once weekly
- Key Benefits
- Potent analgesia superior to morphine on a per-weight basis
- May reduce perception of fatigue in high-intensity activity
- Longer-lasting than endogenous opioids due to D-amino acid substitution
- Research tool for mu-opioid receptor pharmacology
- Potential therapeutic application in refractory pain
- Up to 18.7% body weight reduction at 46 weeks (Phase 2)
- Strong MASH activity — Phase 3 SYNCHRONIZE-NASH trials ongoing
- Reduces hepatic fat content via glucagon receptor-driven liver oxidation
- Once-weekly subcutaneous injection
- Greater weight loss potential than GLP-1 monotherapy
- Improvements in liver fibrosis markers in early data
- Side Effects
- High addiction and dependence potential (mu-opioid agonism)
- Respiratory depression at high doses
- Nausea, vomiting, constipation
- Sedation and cognitive impairment
- +2 more
- Nausea (most common during titration)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- +3 more
- Stacks With
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