By SmashMeals Editorial — 2026-10-01 — Health & Nutrition
The short answer
Zenagamtide is the new generic name for the investigational medicine previously called amycretin. It is designed to activate both GLP-1 and amylin receptors. Novo Nordisk is studying once-weekly injectable and once-daily oral versions in Phase 3; neither version is currently an FDA-approved obesity treatment.
Key facts
- Amycretin was renamed zenagamtide in 2026.
- Zenagamtide is a GLP-1 and amylin receptor co-agonist.
- Novo Nordisk is developing both injectable and oral formulations.
- Phase 3 programs include once-weekly injectable and once-daily oral dosing.
- Food-timing instructions for a future approved oral product cannot be assumed from semaglutide or another drug.
KINGSPORT, Tenn., Oct. 1, 2026 — People searching for “amycretin” need to learn a new name: zenagamtide. Novo Nordisk has adopted zenagamtide as the generic name for its investigational GLP-1 and amylin receptor co-agonist and is moving both injectable and oral formulations through Phase 3 development.
Zenagamtide remains investigational. This article reports research; it does not recommend or provide access to an unapproved medicine.
Why GLP-1 plus amylin matters
Zenagamtide is designed to combine GLP-1 and amylin receptor activity in one molecule. That makes it biologically different from semaglutide alone and from multi-receptor candidates such as retatrutide.
Oral and injectable versions create different questions
Novo Nordisk is studying once-weekly injectable and once-daily oral zenagamtide. Consumers should not assume that a future oral product will follow the same fasting or food-timing instructions as oral semaglutide. Those instructions depend on the final formulation, clinical evidence and approved label.
What we can say about food today
There is no approved zenagamtide diet or meal-timing protocol. General nutrition principles during substantial appetite reduction may remain relevant, but drug-specific recommendations should wait for evidence and regulatory guidance. See our peptide and metabolic nutrition guide for the difference between approved and investigational therapies.
Commentary, not medical advice
The SmashMeals perspective
Zenagamtide is exactly why SmashMeals should organize this topic by mechanism and approval status rather than treating every emerging drug as 'another Ozempic.' Amylin biology and oral-versus-injectable formulations create different research questions. Until approved labeling exists, we should not invent meal-timing rules.
Sources & experts referenced
Sources are included for verification. No expert listed here endorses SmashMeals.
- Novo Nordisk advances zenagamtide (amycretin) into phase 3 — Novo Nordisk
Why it matters: Primary developer announcement covering the new name and Phase 3 development plans. - Amycretin, a unimolecular GLP-1 and amylin receptor co-agonist, in adults with overweight or obesity — The Lancet
Why it matters: Peer-reviewed earlier-stage clinical evidence for the compound now called zenagamtide.