Search ↗

Comparison

CJC-1295 vs CJC-1295 with DAC

Both are GHRH analogs, so the meaningful differences are in kinetics, evidence and regulatory status.

CJC-1295 CJC-1295 with DAC
Class GHRH analogs GHRH analogs
Evidence Preliminary human Preliminary human
Human trials ~4 ~3
Half-life ~30 minutes ~6-8 days
Reported range 100-300 mcg 1-2 mg
Frequency 1-2x daily, commonly stacked with a GHRP Once or twice weekly
Routes Subcutaneous Subcutaneous
FDA approved No No
Research use only Yes Yes
Banned in sport Yes Yes
Studied for Growth hormone elevation, Body composition, Recovery, Sleep quality Sustained GH elevation, Body composition, Research into long-acting secretagogues
Reported side effects Injection-site reactions, Flushing, Water retention, Transient headache, Tingling in extremities Water retention, Carpal-tunnel-type paraesthesia, Lethargy, Injection-site reactions

CJC-1295

CJC-1295 without DAC substitutes four amino acids in the GHRH(1-29) backbone, most importantly replacing alanine at position 2 with D-alanine to block dipeptidyl peptidase-4 cleavage. The result is a GHRH receptor agonist with substantially greater metabolic stability than sermorelin but a still-short half-life, which preserves pulsatile release. It is conventionally combined with a GHRP because the two act on separate receptors and produce a greater combined GH pulse than either alone.

CJC-1295 with DAC

The Drug Affinity Complex is a reactive linker that forms a covalent bond with cysteine-34 on circulating albumin, shielding the peptide from renal clearance and proteolysis. The consequence is a sustained elevation of growth hormone and IGF-1 lasting several days from a single dose, often described as a bleed rather than a pulse. That loss of pulsatility is the main pharmacological criticism of the DAC version, since physiologic GH signalling is normally episodic.

CJC-1295 vs CJC-1295 with DAC: common questions

What is the difference between CJC-1295 and CJC-1295 with DAC?

Both are GHRH analogs. CJC-1295: A tetrasubstituted GHRH(1-29) analog engineered for protease resistance, most often paired with a ghrelin mimetic. CJC-1295 with DAC: CJC-1295 carrying a maleimidoproprionic acid linker that binds serum albumin, extending the half-life from minutes to days.

Which has stronger evidence, CJC-1295 or CJC-1295 with DAC?

They sit at the same evidence level: preliminary human. CJC-1295 has about 4 human studies and CJC-1295 with DAC about 3.

Are CJC-1295 and CJC-1295 with DAC FDA approved?

Neither is FDA approved for any indication.

References

Regulatory and primary sources

  1. PubChem compound record (CID 91971820) ↗ · structure, identifiers, synonyms
  2. WADA Prohibited List ↗ · current year
  3. FDA: Unapproved drugs and "research use only" products ↗ · regulatory status of non-approved products
  4. CAS Registry Number 863288-34-0 ↗ · chemical identity

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

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.

Read this first This page compares published reference data. It is not medical advice and not a recommendation to use either compound. Several compounds documented on this site are not approved for human use.