Discontinued Growth Hormone Axis

CJC-1295

also known as: CJC-1295 DAC, CJC-1295 with DAC, DAC:GRF, Drug Affinity Complex:GRF

A long-acting GHRH analog engineered with a DAC linker that binds serum albumin, extending half-life from minutes to approximately 8 days.

A tetrasubstituted GHRH(1-29) analog (D-Ala2, Gln8, Ala15, Leu27) with a maleimidopropionyl-Lys30 DAC linker that covalently binds serum albumin, producing sustained GH elevation over roughly a week per dose.

Mechanism of action

Binds the GHRH receptor on anterior pituitary somatotrophs, stimulating pulsatile growth hormone secretion. Unlike native GHRH (half-life ~7 minutes), CJC-1295 with DAC continuously occupies albumin and maintains GHRH receptor exposure for ~1 week, producing sustained elevation of mean GH and IGF-1 levels. Community protocols typically stack it with a GHRP (ghrelin-receptor agonist such as ipamorelin) for synergistic pulse amplification.

Primary uses

Growth hormone axis research
Community use for GH/IGF-1 elevation (off-label)
Visceral fat loss research (originally developed for HIV lipodystrophy)

Typical dosing

1–2 mg once or twice weekly (subcutaneous)

Community dosing only. No established clinical dose beyond early-phase trials. Often blended with ipamorelin in vendor formulations.

Regulatory status

Not approved. Originally developed by ConjuChem; Phase 2 trials terminated after a hypotension-related death during one trial (causality contested). Research-chemical channel only since 2007.

References

[pubmed] Teichman SL, 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;91:799-805.
[pubmed] Ionescu M, Frohman LA. "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;91:4792-4797.
[review] Sackmann-Sala L, et al. "Growth hormone-releasing hormone analogs and their clinical applications." Peptides, 2015.

Related peptides

Ipamorelin

A selective ghrelin receptor agonist that stimulates GH release without the cortisol, prolactin, or ACTH spike seen with older GHRPs like GHRP-6.

Sermorelin

The N-terminal 29 amino acids of native GHRH — a former FDA-approved diagnostic and pediatric GH-deficiency therapy, now widely compounded for adult anti-aging protocols.

Tesamorelin

An FDA-approved GHRH analog for reducing excess visceral fat in HIV-associated lipodystrophy.

Mod GRF 1-29

A short-acting GHRH analog — chemically identical to CJC-1295 but without the DAC albumin-binding linker — producing discrete GH pulses rather than sustained elevation.

Disclaimer

This entry is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Dosing information reflects published regulatory or research data and is not a recommendation. Many compounds described here are not approved for human use in the United States. Consult a licensed medical professional before considering any peptide therapy.