Survodutide vs IGF-1 DES
Side-by-side comparison of key properties, dosing, and research.
GLP-1 / Weight Loss Agonists
SurvodutideAnabolic & IGF
IGF-1 DES- Summary
- 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.
- IGF-1 DES (also written DES(1-3)IGF-1) is a truncated form of IGF-1 missing the first three amino acids of the N-terminus. This structural change dramatically reduces its affinity for IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), meaning a far greater fraction remains in its free, active form. IGF-1 DES is estimated to be 10x more potent than standard IGF-1 LR3 at the receptor level locally, making it particularly effective for site-specific muscle growth when injected intramuscularly.
- Half-Life
- ~7 days
- ~20–30 minutes (very short — designed for local action)
- Admin Route
- SubQ
- IM, SubQ
- Research
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- Typical Dose
- 0.6 mg → 2.4 mg → 4.8 mg → 6 mg
- 20–50 mcg per injection site
- Frequency
- Once weekly
- Once daily, post-workout
- Key Benefits
- 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
- Estimated 10x greater potency at the receptor vs IGF-1 LR3 locally
- Minimal IGFBP binding — nearly all active upon injection
- Highly localized muscle growth effect when injected intramuscularly
- Activates satellite cells for muscle fiber hyperplasia potential
- Synergistic with GH peptides in post-workout anabolic protocols
- Shorter half-life reduces systemic exposure vs IGF-1 LR3
- Useful for site-specific muscle development
- Side Effects
- Nausea (most common during titration)
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Decreased appetite
- +3 more
- Hypoglycemia (most significant risk — especially post-workout)
- Localized muscle swelling at injection site
- Potential for jaw/organ growth (acromegalic effects) with prolonged high-dose use
- Carpal tunnel syndrome with high doses
- +1 more
- Stacks With
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