CJC-1295 (with DAC)
Get a source-linked, educational explanation from this profile.
Complete Research Guide
Open each section for the available evidence. Gaps are stated rather than inferred.
Overview
CJC-1295 (with DAC) is listed as endocrine / ghrh analog.
- •GH pulse amplification
- •IGF-1 elevation
- •Body composition
- •Anti-aging
Regulatory status: Not FDA-approved; compounded/research use.
Structure & Properties
Compound: CJC-1295 (with DAC); also known as CJC-1295 DAC, DAC-GHRH.
Pharmacologic class: Endocrine / GHRH Analog.
Known delivery routes: Subcutaneous.
Sequence, molecular weight, salt form, and excipient details are formulation-specific and are not listed unless verified by a manufacturer or laboratory COA.
How It Works
GHRH analog with C8 fatty-acid DAC modification — extends half-life to 6–8 days; stimulates pituitary GH release; raises IGF-1 chronically.
- •Sustained GH/IGF-1 elevation
- •Convenient weekly dosing
- •Improved body composition (anecdotal)
Human Research
Evidence grade: Pre-clinical / Observational
Evidence is primarily preclinical or observational; human effectiveness and long-term safety are not established.
Laboratory Research
Phase I/II (Teichman 2006); no Phase III
Preclinical findings describe biological plausibility, not proven benefit in people. Animal and laboratory doses do not translate directly to human use.
Processing & Interactions
Timing and exposure
Once weekly, any time of day. DAC extends half-life so pulse timing is less critical, but many users dose in the evening to align with the natural nocturnal GH surge. Avoid food (especially carbs/fats) for 2–3 hrs before if pulsing GH is a goal.
Potential interactions and combinations to avoid
- •Other long-acting GHRH analogs (Tesamorelin, Sermorelin) — redundant and raises IGF-1 excessively
- •MK-677 chronically — additive IGF-1 elevation, insulin resistance risk
- •High-carb meals within 2 hrs of dosing — blunts GH pulse
Absorption, half-life, metabolism, and clearance can vary by formulation and route. Use prescribing information when an approved product exists.
Safety & Precautions
Known or reported risks
- •Loss of GH pulsatility
- •Water retention
- •Tingling/numbness
- •Elevated IGF-1 oncogenicity concern
Contraindications
- •Active malignancy
- •Pregnancy
- •Severe diabetic retinopathy
- •Active malignancy or history of hormone-sensitive tumor (GH/IGF-1 axis stimulation)
- •Active or untreated diabetic retinopathy
- •Insulin resistance, prediabetes, or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
- •Untreated hypothyroidism or uncorrected adrenal insufficiency
- •Acromegaly, pituitary adenoma, or intracranial hypertension
- •Carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral edema, or fluid-retentive heart failure
- •Critical illness after acute surgery, trauma, or respiratory failure
- •Severe obstructive sleep apnea (may worsen with soft-tissue growth)
- •Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy without physician guidance (injection-site haematoma)
- •Active skin infection, cellulitis, or lipohypertrophy at intended injection sites
- •Inability to maintain sterile technique or safe sharps disposal
- •Not FDA-approved for human therapeutic use — no verified purity, sterility, or potency standards
- •Immunocompromised or transplant patients (unverified sterility and immunogenicity risk)
- •Concurrent participation in drug-tested sport (WADA prohibited or non-cleared substance)
- •Known hypersensitivity or prior reaction to this compound or any excipient/diluent
- •Pregnancy, attempting conception, or breastfeeding unless prescribed and monitored by a physician
- •Children and adolescents with open growth plates (unless under specialist endocrine care)
- •Active or recently treated malignancy without oncology clearance
- •Use without a confirmed diagnosis, baseline labs, and licensed clinical supervision
Unknown long-term toxicity should be assumed where controlled human data are limited. Seek urgent care for a severe or unexpected reaction.
Administration & Studied Formulations
Reference range: 1–2 mg/week
Frequency: Weekly or biweekly
Cycling: 8–12 weeks on / 4 weeks off.
Subcutaneous (SubQ)
Default route for most research and therapeutic peptides — best absorption for reconstituted powder.
31G × 5/16" insulin syringe (U-100). 100 units = 1 mL. Pinch skin at abdomen (2" from navel), outer thigh, or love handle. Insert at 45–90°. Rotate sites daily to prevent lipohypertrophy. Alcohol-swab site, air-dry, inject slow, hold 5 sec.
Dosing information is educational context, not a personal recommendation. Approved products must follow their label and prescriber instructions.
Applications & Related Therapies
Potentially complementary measures
- •Ipamorelin (GHRP) — synergistic GH release via separate receptor
- •BPC-157 / TB-500 — recovery amplification during GH cycles
Clinical use should account for diagnosis, approved alternatives, nutrition, activity, sleep, rehabilitation, current medicines, and appropriate monitoring.
Cycle 8–12 weeks on / 4 weeks off. Monitor fasting glucose & IGF-1.
Cases, Considerations & Ethics
Decision framework: establish the clinical goal, confirm evidence quality and legal status, screen contraindications and interactions, compare approved alternatives, define monitoring and stopping criteria, and use shared decision-making with a licensed clinician.
Case evidence: individual reports cannot establish safety or effectiveness and should not outweigh controlled trials.
Ethics: informed consent should distinguish established care from experimental use, disclose uncertainty and cost, avoid overstated claims, and never substitute research products for medically necessary care.
What is CJC-1295 (with DAC)?
In plain words
CJC-1295 with DAC is a lab-made version of a signal that tells the body to release growth hormone. It attaches to a blood protein, keeping it active for days and increasing IGF-1, a substance involved in tissue growth. Researchers study its effects on growth hormone release and IGF-1 levels. Long-term safety is uncertain; concerns include fluid retention, tingling or numbness, and whether sustained IGF-1 increases could promote the growth of existing cancers.
Technical definition
CJC-1295 with DAC is a synthetic, 30-amino-acid growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH) analog whose drug affinity complex (DAC) enables covalent binding to circulating albumin—not a C8 fatty-acid modification—and extends its half-life to approximately 6–8 days. It activates GHRH receptors on pituitary somatotrophs, stimulating growth hormone secretion and sustained increases in insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). Early human studies demonstrate hormonal effects, but long-term clinical benefits and safety remain unestablished; it is not FDA-approved.
Function
Dosing
Recommended Time of Day
Evening, once weekly — aligns with the natural nighttime GH surge.
See “Timing & Interactions” below for full fasted/fed circumstances, what to avoid combining, and what pairs well.
Administration & Technique
Injection & Application Sites
- Abdomen — 2 in (5 cm) away from the navel, either side. Fastest, most consistent SubQ absorption.
- Flank / love handle — Lateral fat pad above the hip. Good rotation site when the abdomen is tender.
- Outer thigh — Upper outer quadrant, a hand-width below the hip. SubQ pinch at 45°.
Diagram is a general illustration, not a medical instruction. Rotate sites every injection, keep 1 in (2.5 cm) between recent sites, and avoid scars, moles, bruises and the navel area.
Cycling
8–12 weeks on / 4 weeks off.
Timing & Interactions
- ·Other long-acting GHRH analogs (Tesamorelin, Sermorelin) — redundant and raises IGF-1 excessively
- ·MK-677 chronically — additive IGF-1 elevation, insulin resistance risk
- ·High-carb meals within 2 hrs of dosing — blunts GH pulse
- ·Ipamorelin (GHRP) — synergistic GH release via separate receptor
- ·BPC-157 / TB-500 — recovery amplification during GH cycles
Storage & Reconstitution
Reconstitution Calculator
1 mL = 100 units on a standard U-100 insulin syringe. Draw to the nearest 0.5 unit and confirm dosing with a clinician before injection.
Your Notes
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Benefits
- ·Sustained GH/IGF-1 elevation
- ·Convenient weekly dosing
- ·Improved body composition (anecdotal)
Risks
- ·Loss of GH pulsatility
- ·Water retention
- ·Tingling/numbness
- ·Elevated IGF-1 oncogenicity concern
Contraindications
- ·Active malignancy
- ·Pregnancy
- ·Severe diabetic retinopathy
- ·Active malignancy or history of hormone-sensitive tumor (GH/IGF-1 axis stimulation)
- ·Active or untreated diabetic retinopathy
- ·Insulin resistance, prediabetes, or poorly controlled type 2 diabetes
- ·Untreated hypothyroidism or uncorrected adrenal insufficiency
- ·Acromegaly, pituitary adenoma, or intracranial hypertension
- ·Carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral edema, or fluid-retentive heart failure
- ·Critical illness after acute surgery, trauma, or respiratory failure
- ·Severe obstructive sleep apnea (may worsen with soft-tissue growth)
- ·Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant therapy without physician guidance (injection-site haematoma)
- ·Active skin infection, cellulitis, or lipohypertrophy at intended injection sites
- ·Inability to maintain sterile technique or safe sharps disposal
- ·Not FDA-approved for human therapeutic use — no verified purity, sterility, or potency standards
- ·Immunocompromised or transplant patients (unverified sterility and immunogenicity risk)
- ·Concurrent participation in drug-tested sport (WADA prohibited or non-cleared substance)
- ·Known hypersensitivity or prior reaction to this compound or any excipient/diluent
- ·Pregnancy, attempting conception, or breastfeeding unless prescribed and monitored by a physician
- ·Children and adolescents with open growth plates (unless under specialist endocrine care)
- ·Active or recently treated malignancy without oncology clearance
- ·Use without a confirmed diagnosis, baseline labs, and licensed clinical supervision
Regulatory
Not FDA-approved; compounded/research use
Veterinary Use (Pets)
Occasional use in performance horses and canine agility athletes for GH-axis support.