CJC-1295
Medium EvidenceA growth hormone releasing hormone analog studied for stimulating growth hormone secretion.
What It Is
CJC-1295 (without DAC) is a synthetic analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) consisting of 29 amino acids with modified residues to improve stability and receptor binding. It stimulates the anterior pituitary to release growth hormone in a pulsatile pattern that more closely mimics natural physiology than exogenous GH administration. CJC-1295 is most commonly studied in combination with ipamorelin, where the two peptides synergistically amplify GH pulse amplitude — CJC-1295 extending the duration of the GH pulse while ipamorelin increases its peak. Clinical studies have shown that CJC-1295 increases mean plasma GH concentrations 2- to 10-fold for up to six days following a single injection, with corresponding increases in IGF-1 levels persisting for 9–11 days. The no-DAC formulation has a shorter half-life than the DAC version, which researchers often prefer for more physiological GH pulsatility rather than sustained elevation. CJC-1295 was affected by the FDA's October 2023 Category 2 designation for compounding. As of April 2026, the Category 2 nomination has been withdrawn for 503A compounding pharmacies, restoring limited compounding eligibility. It is expected to be reviewed by the PCAC before February 2027. CJC-1295 is not FDA-approved for any indication.
Regulatory Status
Returned to Category 1 compounding eligibility under HHS February 27, 2026 reclassification. Legal for compounding pharmacies with a prescription.
Effective: February 2026
View FDA SourceWhy Researchers Study It
CJC-1295 is of particular interest because it provides sustained growth hormone elevation through a modified GHRH structure. Its DAC variant extends the half-life to approximately one week, enabling less frequent dosing in research protocols compared to native GHRH.
Proposed Mechanisms
- Binds to GHRH receptors on anterior pituitary somatotrophs
- Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) binds albumin, extending half-life to ~6–8 days
- Stimulates pulsatile GH release, preserving natural secretion patterns
- Increases IGF-1 levels downstream of GH elevation
- Does not significantly suppress endogenous GHRH production at studied doses
Evidence Snapshot
Commonly Discussed Benefits
Researching CJC-1295? Track it, set reminders, and keep notes in the free app.
Safety & Cautions
- May affect blood sugar levels
- Potential for water retention reported in studies
- Not FDA-approved for any indication
- Should be discussed with a healthcare provider
Comparisons
See how CJC-1295 compares to related peptides:
Calculator Tools
Use our research tools to explore dosing and reconstitution data:
Citations
- [1] Teichman SL. et al. — Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295. JCEM. 2006 PubMed
Keep researching in the app
- Log CJC-1295 to your private tracker
- Set a dosing reminder
- Compare it side-by-side with your stack
Related Peptides
AOD-9604
Medium EvidenceA modified fragment of human growth hormone studied for fat metabolism without growth-promoting effects.
CJC-1295 (DAC)
Medium EvidenceA long-acting GHRH analog with an extended half-life due to its Drug Affinity Complex modification.
DSIP
Low EvidenceA neuropeptide studied for its role in sleep regulation and stress modulation.
Ipamorelin
Medium EvidenceA selective growth hormone secretagogue studied for targeted GH release with fewer side effects than other GH peptides.
Sermorelin
Medium EvidenceA GHRH analog previously FDA-approved for growth hormone deficiency diagnosis and treatment.
Tesamorelin
High EvidenceA GHRH analog FDA-approved for reducing visceral fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
Lonapegsomatropin
High EvidenceLonapegsomatropin (brand name Skytrofa, developed as TransCon hGH by Ascendis Pharma) is a long-acting, once-weekly prodrug of human growth hormone (somatropin) approved to treat growth hormone deficiency (GHD). Unlike conventional recombinant growth hormone, which must be injected every day, lonapegsomatropin uses Ascendis's TransCon ("transient conjugation") technology to slowly release fully active, unmodified growth hormone from an inert carrier over the course of a week, so patients inject only once weekly. It is built from three parts - unmodified somatropin, a methoxypolyethylene glycol (mPEG) carrier that shields the hormone and extends its time in the body, and a TransCon linker that connects them and then self-cleaves at normal body pH and temperature to release native growth hormone at a controlled, predictable rate. The FDA first approved lonapegsomatropin in August 2021 for children one year and older with GHD (the pivotal Phase 3 heiGHt trial showed it was non-inferior and numerically superior to daily somatropin for annualized height velocity in treatment-naive children), and in July 2025 the FDA expanded approval to adults with GHD based on the Phase 3 foresiGHt trial, in which once-weekly TransCon hGH significantly reduced trunk fat and increased lean body mass versus placebo. It is administered subcutaneously with the SKYTROFA Auto-Injector using a single-dose, dual-chamber prefilled cartridge. Lonapegsomatropin is a regulated prescription medicine, not a supplement or research chemical, and shares the class safety profile of growth hormone therapy.