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Comparison

CJC-1295 vs Tesamorelin

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

On published evidence alone, Tesamorelin is the better documented of the two (regulator approved). That is a statement about the state of the literature, not a recommendation.

CJC-1295 Tesamorelin
Class GHRH analogs GHRH analogs
Evidence Preliminary human Regulator approved
Human trials ~4 ~15
Half-life ~30 minutes ~26-38 minutes
Reported range 100-300 mcg 1-2 mg
Frequency 1-2x daily, commonly stacked with a GHRP Once daily
Routes Subcutaneous Subcutaneous
FDA approved No Yes
Research use only Yes No
Banned in sport Yes Yes
Studied for Growth hormone elevation, Body composition, Recovery, Sleep quality HIV-associated lipodystrophy, Visceral fat reduction, NAFLD research
Reported side effects Injection-site reactions, Flushing, Water retention, Transient headache, Tingling in extremities Arthralgia, Injection-site reactions, Peripheral oedema, Myalgia, Impaired glucose tolerance

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.

Tesamorelin

Tesamorelin is GHRH(1-44) with a trans-3-hexenoyl group attached to the N-terminus, a modification that resists degradation by dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and extends its half-life relative to native GHRH. It stimulates pituitary release of growth hormone, raising IGF-1 and preferentially reducing visceral adipose tissue. The visceral-fat selectivity seen in the HIV lipodystrophy trials is the basis of its approval and the reason it is studied separately from other secretagogues.

CJC-1295 vs Tesamorelin: common questions

What is the difference between CJC-1295 and Tesamorelin?

Both are GHRH analogs. CJC-1295: A tetrasubstituted GHRH(1-29) analog engineered for protease resistance, most often paired with a ghrelin mimetic. Tesamorelin: A stabilised GHRH analog and the only growth-hormone secretagogue with a current FDA approval for a body-composition indication.

Which has stronger evidence, CJC-1295 or Tesamorelin?

Tesamorelin has the stronger evidence base (regulator approved, about 15 human studies) compared with CJC-1295 (preliminary human).

Are CJC-1295 and Tesamorelin FDA approved?

Only Tesamorelin is FDA approved (Reduction of excess abdominal fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy). CJC-1295 is not 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
  5. PubChem compound record (CID 16137828) ↗ · structure, identifiers, synonyms
  6. DailyMed: FDA-approved labeling for Tesamorelin ↗ · indications, dosing, warnings as approved
  7. FDA Drugs@FDA database ↗ · approval history
  8. CAS Registry Number 218949-48-5 ↗ · 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
  9. 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
  10. Dhillon S. Tesamorelin: a review of its use in the management of HIV-associated lipodystrophy.Drugs 2011.PubMed 21668043 · doi:10.2165/11202240-000000000-00000
  11. Spooner LM, Olin JL. Tesamorelin: a growth hormone-releasing factor analogue for HIV-associated lipodystrophy.Ann Pharmacother 2012.PubMed 22298602 · doi:10.1345/aph.1Q629
  12. Corley MJ, Letendre SL, Nightingale S. CROI 2024: Neuropsychiatric Complications in People With HIV.Top Antivir Med 2024.PubMed 39746672

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.