Educational reference only. Not medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any protocol.
CJC-1295 DAC
CJC-1295 with Drug Affinity Complex (DAC:GRF)
What it is
A synthetic tetrasubstituted analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) 1-29 with a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) that enables covalent binding to endogenous serum albumin after injection, dramatically extending its plasma half-life to approximately 6-8 days. Developed by ConjuChem Biotechnologies, CJC-1295 DAC incorporates amino acid substitutions at positions 2, 8, 15, and 27 plus a C-terminal Lys30 linked to a maleimidopropionyl group (the DAC moiety). This compound is distinct from CJC-1295 without DAC (also known as Modified GRF 1-29, slug: cjc-1295), which lacks the albumin-binding DAC component and has a much shorter half-life of approximately 30 minutes. CJC-1295 DAC reached Phase II clinical trials in humans for lipodystrophy and GH deficiency before being discontinued. It is not approved for therapeutic use in any jurisdiction.
Community-reported ranges
Ranges sourced from Phase I/II clinical trial data, published preclinical literature, and community forums. Not dosing guidance.
Reported dose range
1000–2000 mcg
Estimated half-life
~6-8 days
Source: Phase I/II clinical trial data (Teichman et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006; PMID 16352683)
Reported cycle length
4–12 weeks on
4-8 weeks off
Route
subcutaneous
Common vial sizes
2mg, 5mg
Reported timing
Evening or before bed; once or twice weekly
Reported frequency
1-2x weekly
Frequently discussed alongside
Based on community forum discussions. Not a recommendation to combine compounds.
CJC-1295
The non-DAC version of the same base peptide; shorter-acting, promotes pulsatile GH release
Ipamorelin
Discussed as a complementary GHRP to pair with GHRH analogs for synergistic GH release
GHRP-2
Discussed as a GHRP to combine with CJC-1295 DAC for enhanced GH output
Sermorelin
Compared as an earlier-generation GHRH analog with shorter half-life and FDA-approval history
Tesamorelin
Compared as an FDA-approved GHRH analog used for HIV-associated lipodystrophy
Published research
CJC-1295 DAC was studied in two randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind ascending-dose trials in healthy adults (Teichman et al., 2006). A single injection produced dose-dependent GH increases of 2-10 fold lasting 6+ days and IGF-1 increases of 1.5-3 fold lasting 9-11 days, with an estimated half-life of 5.8-8.1 days. A separate study by Ionescu and Frohman (2006) confirmed that pulsatile GH secretion was preserved under continuous CJC-1295 stimulation, with markedly elevated trough GH levels. Animal studies by Alba et al. (2006) demonstrated normalized growth in GHRH-knockout mice with daily CJC-1295 administration. Clinical development was halted after Phase II. Community dosing protocols are extrapolated from these clinical trials and are not validated for long-term self-administration.
Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, Gagnon C, Castaigne JP, Frohman LA. 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.
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ionescu M, Frohman LA. Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog.
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Alba M, Fintini D, Sagazio A, Lawrence B, Castaigne JP, Frohman LA, Salvatori R. Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouse.
American Journal of Physiology — Endocrinology and Metabolism
Reported side effects
From community self-reports. Not from controlled studies.
Community users have reported flushing (particularly facial), water retention, headaches, transient numbness or tingling, joint stiffness, and in some cases lethargy or disrupted sleep. Due to its long half-life, side effects may persist for days and are more difficult to titrate compared to the non-DAC version. In Phase I/II trials, no serious adverse reactions were attributed to CJC-1295 at therapeutic doses. From community self-reports and limited clinical trial data, not systematic long-term safety studies.
Regulatory status
FDA (United States)
Not approved. CJC-1295 DAC was under Phase II clinical development but was discontinued following a subject death (attributed to pre-existing coronary artery disease, considered unrelated to treatment by investigators). CJC-1295 forms (free base, acetate, DAC variants) were reviewed at PCAC meetings in late 2024 for potential 503A compounding inclusion; final determination pending as of March 2026.
Health Canada
Not authorized as a therapeutic product. No DIN assigned. Not listed in the Health Canada Drug Product Database.
WADA (Competitive Athletes)
Prohibited at all times (in- and out-of-competition) under S2.2 as a GHRH analogue on the 2026 WADA Prohibited List.