COMMON INITIAL DOSING REGIMENS

• A typical regimen is 100–300 mcg subcutaneously once or twice daily, ideally administered at night to mimic natural GH pulsatility. It is frequently combined with a growth hormone–releasing peptide (such as Ipamorelin) for synergistic effects. Due to its short half-life, daily or near-daily administration is required for sustained benefit. Common protocols follow a 5-days-on, 2-days-off weekly cycle.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

• CJC-1295 (No DAC) is a modified fragment of GHRH (1-29) designed to resist enzymatic degradation and enhance pituitary stimulation. It binds to GHRH receptors on the anterior pituitary gland, triggering pulsatile secretion of growth hormone. This indirect increase in GH leads to a subsequent rise in IGF-1 levels, which mediate many of the peptide’s downstream anabolic and metabolic effects—including improved fat metabolism, lean muscle support, skin elasticity, and cognitive function.

• Unlike CJC-1295 with DAC, the No DAC version lacks a Drug Affinity Complex, resulting in a significantly shorter half-life (approximately 30 minutes) and reduced risk of overstimulation or GH receptor desensitization. This allows for more physiologic GH rhythms and greater control over GH exposure.

COMMON SIDE EFFECTS

• Injection Site: Localized irritation, redness, or swelling.

• Endocrine: Transient fatigue, water retention, or mild hypoglycemia.

• Neurological: Rare headache, dizziness, or increased vivid dreaming.

• Cardiovascular: Peripheral edema or transient increases in blood pressure.

• Glycemic: Very low risk of hypoglycemia, typically only when combined with fasting or other GH secretagogues.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

• Absolute: Hypersensitivity to CJC-1295 or excipients.

• Relative: Patients with active or recent malignancy should avoid GH-stimulating therapies. Caution is advised in individuals with uncontrolled diabetes or insulin resistance, as IGF-1 increases may affect glucose metabolism. The safety of CJC-1295 (No DAC) has not been established in pregnancy or breastfeeding.

COMPARISON WITH OTHER HGH SUPPORT MEDICATIONS

• CJC-1295 vs. Ipamorelin: Ipamorelin is a GHRP that acts on ghrelin receptors, not GHRH receptors. When used together, they synergize to amplify GH pulses via separate pathways.

• CJC-1295 vs. Sermorelin: Both are short-acting GHRH analogs, though CJC-1295 (No DAC) is more stable and may produce greater GH release at equivalent doses. Sermorelin may be used as a lower-cost or more widely studied alternative.

• CJC-1295 vs. Tesamorelin: Tesamorelin is specifically FDA-approved for reducing visceral adipose tissue in HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Its mechanism focuses on both GH release and targeted fat metabolism, making it more specialized than CJC-1295. CJC-1295, however, has broader applications in anti-aging and general GH deficiencies.

• CJC-1295 vs. Ibutamoren: Ibutamoren is an oral ghrelin mimetic that provides continuous GH stimulation. While convenient, it may produce non-physiologic GH exposure and has been associated with increased appetite, water retention, and insulin resistance compared to the pulsatile action of CJC-1295 (No DAC).

MORE INFORMATION

• FDA Safety Data Sheet not available (experimental peptide therapy)

• Sigalos J. The Safety and Efficacy of Growth Hormone Secretagogues. Sex Med Rev. 2018 [PubMed Link] 

• Sinha DK. Beyond the androgen receptor: the role of growth hormone secretagogues in the modern management of body composition in hypogonadal males. Transl Androl Urol. 2020 [PubMed Link]

• Smith RG. Development of growth hormone secretagogues. Endocr Rev. 2005 [PubMed Link]

• Svensson J. Growth hormone secretagogues as therapeutic agents. Growth Horm IGF Res. 1999 [PubMed Link]

• Sigalos JT. Growth Hormone Secretagogue Treatment in Hypogonadal Men Raises Serum Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Levels. Am J Mens Health. 2017 [PubMed Link]

• Ferro P. Structure-activity relationship for peptídic growth hormone secretagogues. Drug Test Anal. 2017 [PubMed Link]

• Thomas A, Delahaut P, Krug O, Schänzer W, Thevis M. Metabolism of growth hormone releasing peptides. Anal Chem. 2012 [PubMed Link]

• Peschke B. The influence of conformational restriction in the C-terminus of growth hormone secretagogues on their potency. Eur J Med Chem. 2002 [PubMed Link] 

• Lall S. Growth hormone (GH)-independent stimulation of adiposity by GH secretagogues. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2001 [PubMed Link] 

• Johansen PB. Pharmacokinetic evaluation of ipamorelin and other peptidyl growth hormone secretagogues with emphasis on nasal absorption. Xenobiotica. 1998 [PubMed Link]

• Teichman S. 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 Link]

• Ionescu M. Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006 [PubMed Link]