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Classes

GHRH analogs

Growth-hormone-releasing hormone analogs that act on pituitary somatotrophs to stimulate endogenous GH release.

5 compounds in this class. 2 approved by the FDA for at least one indication. 0 have no published human trial data.

Guides in this class

All 5 GHRH analogs compared

CompoundEvidenceReported rangeHalf-lifeStatus
CJC-1295
A tetrasubstituted GHRH(1-29) analog engineered for protease resistance, most often paired with a ghrelin mimetic.
 Preliminary human 100-300 mcg ~30 minutes Research only
CJC-1295 with DAC
CJC-1295 carrying a maleimidoproprionic acid linker that binds serum albumin, extending the half-life from minutes to days.
 Preliminary human 1-2 mg ~6-8 days Research only
Mod GRF 1-29
A naming convention for the non-DAC tetrasubstituted GHRH(1-29) analog, used interchangeably with CJC-1295 without DAC and a frequent source of dosing confusion.
 Preliminary human 100-300 mcg ~30 minutes Research only
Sermorelin
The first 29 amino acids of endogenous growth-hormone-releasing hormone, and the shortest fragment that retains full biological activity.
 Regulator approved 200-500 mcg ~10-20 minutes Approved
Tesamorelin
A stabilised GHRH analog and the only growth-hormone secretagogue with a current FDA approval for a body-composition indication.
 Regulator approved 1-2 mg ~26-38 minutes Approved

Head-to-head comparisons

CJC-1295 vs SermorelinCJC-1295 vs IpamorelinCJC-1295 vs CJC-1295 with DACCJC-1295 vs TesamorelinCJC-1295 with DAC vs SermorelinCJC-1295 with DAC vs IpamorelinCJC-1295 vs Mod GRF 1-29CJC-1295 with DAC vs Mod GRF 1-29Mod GRF 1-29 vs SermorelinSermorelin vs TesamorelinIpamorelin vs SermorelinSermorelin vs Somatropin

GHRH analogs: common questions

What are GHRH analogs?

Growth-hormone-releasing hormone analogs that act on pituitary somatotrophs to stimulate endogenous GH release. This class has 5 compounds in our directory.

Which GHRH analogs are FDA approved?

Sermorelin, Tesamorelin are FDA approved for at least one indication. The others are not approved.

Which GHRH analogs have the strongest evidence?

By evidence level and number of human studies: Sermorelin (regulator approved, ~20 human studies); Tesamorelin (regulator approved, ~15 human studies); CJC-1295 (preliminary human, ~4 human studies).

Can compounding pharmacies make these?

CJC-1295, CJC-1295 with DAC, Mod GRF 1-29 are not FDA approved and not on the 503A bulks list, so there is no routine legal path to compound them. Material sold online is labelled for research use only. Status checked against FDA lists in October 2026.

References

Regulatory and primary sources

  1. FDA: Bulk drug substances that may present significant safety risks (Category 2 and withdrawn nominations) ↗ · content current as of April 22, 2026; checked October 18, 2026
  2. FDA: Bulk drug substances used in compounding under section 503A ↗ · how the 503A categories work
  3. FDA: Unapproved drugs ↗ · status of products sold "for research use only"
  4. WADA Prohibited List ↗ · peptide hormones and growth factors, class S2
  5. PubMed (National Library of Medicine) ↗ · source of every literature reference on this site

Published literature

  1. Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, et al.. Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults.J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2006.PubMed 16352683 · doi:10.1210/jc.2005-1536
  2. Mayfield CK, Bolia IK, Feingold CL, et al.. Injectable Peptide Therapy: A Primer for Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Physicians.Am J Sports Med 2026.PubMed 41476424 · doi:10.1177/03635465251357593
  3. Rahman OF, Lee SJ, Seeds WA. Therapeutic Peptides in Orthopaedics: Applications, Challenges, and Future Directions.J Am Acad Orthop Surg Glob Res Rev 2026.PubMed 41490200 · doi:10.5435/JAAOSGlobal-D-25-00236
  4. Mendias CL, Awan TM. Safety and Efficacy of Approved and Unapproved Peptide Therapies for Musculoskeletal Injuries and Athletic Performance.Sports Med 2026.PubMed 41966639 · doi:10.1007/s40279-026-02437-0
  5. Renke G, Chinellato L. Therapeutic Peptides in Aesthetic, Metabolic and Endocrine Conditions: Effects, Safety, Clinical Applications, and Future Perspectives.Int J Mol Sci 2026.PubMed 42123471 · doi:10.3390/ijms27093890
  6. Coutinho LFD, DE Oliveira Neves LF, Camilo RP. A new era of doping? Use of peptide and peptide-analog drugs in recreational and professional sport and bodybuilding: a critical review.J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2026.PubMed 41880199 · doi:10.23736/S0022-4707.26.17773-1
  7. Van Hout MC, Hearne E. Netnography of Female Use of the Synthetic Growth Hormone CJC-1295: Pulses and Potions.Subst Use Misuse 2016.PubMed 26771670 · doi:10.3109/10826084.2015.1082595
  8. Thomas A, Schänzer W, Delahaut P, et al.. Immunoaffinity purification of peptide hormones prior to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry in doping controls.Methods 2012.PubMed 21871962 · doi:10.1016/j.ymeth.2011.08.009
  9. Memdouh S, Gavrilović I, Ng K, et al.. Advances in the detection of growth hormone releasing hormone synthetic analogs.Drug Test Anal 2021.PubMed 34665524 · doi:10.1002/dta.3183
  10. Walker RF. Sermorelin: a better approach to management of adult-onset growth hormone insufficiency?.Clin Interv Aging 2006.PubMed 18046908 · doi:10.2147/ciia.2006.1.4.307
  11. Ramirez G, Herrera R, Pineda D, et al.. The effects of high altitude on hypothalamic-pituitary secretory dynamics in men.Clin Endocrinol (Oxf) 1995.PubMed 7641401 · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2265.1995.tb01887.x
  12. Popovic V, Pekic S, Golubicic I, et al.. The impact of cranial irradiation on GH responsiveness to GHRH plus GH-releasing peptide-6.J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2002.PubMed 11994347 · doi:10.1210/jcem.87.5.8485
  13. Saenger P, Pescovitz OH, Bercu BB, et al.. Outcome of growth hormone therapy in children with growth hormone deficiency showing an inadequate response to growth hormone-releasing hormone.Endocrine 2001.PubMed 11572326 · doi:10.1385/ENDO:15:1:051
  14. Badran AS, Helal A, Shata KS, et al.. Body composition, hepatic fat, metabolic, and safety outcomes of Tesamorelin, a GHRH analogue, in HIV-associated lipodystrophy: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Obes Res Clin Pract 2026.PubMed 41545261 · doi:10.1016/j.orcp.2026.01.002

Literature retrieved from PubMed on October 16, 2026, favouring human studies and reviews. Numbered markers in the text show which paper supports which statement; uncited entries are background reading.