Growth Hormone Synthetic GHRH analog with albumin-binding DAC linkerNot FDA-approved · research compound

CJC-1295 with DAC

CJC-1295 DAC · CJC1295 DAC · CJC-DAC

Evidence: Studied in humans. Example dose: finalize with a provider. Not a fact-check stamp.

1-2 mg weekly – 1-2 mg SubQ Once weekly

Long-acting growth hormone secretagogueMaleimide-conjugated peptideWeekly injection peptide

CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) is a synthetic GHRH analog with a maleimide-based linker that covalently binds to serum albumin via the Cys34 thiol residue. This albumin binding extends the half-life from approximately 30 minutes (no DAC) to 6-8 days, providing sustained baseline GH elevation from a single weekly injection. The DAC maleimide group is the reason this compound must be pinned alone: maleimide reacts with thiol (sulfhydryl) groups found in cysteine residues of other peptides, potentially degrading co-administered compounds in the syringe. CJC-1295 with DAC provides continuous GHRH receptor stimulation rather than pulsatile, which is pharmacologically distinct from CJC no DAC and Tesamorelin.

Quick Start

Route

SubQ injection

Start low

1-2 mg SubQ

Frequency

Once weekly

Timing

Fasted. Evening, empty stomach. Weekly injection.

Weekly injection. Any time of day. No fasting required (long-acting, no acute GH pulse). Pin alone always.

❋

Start here. Every protocol below is ordered lowest-first. Begin at the smallest effective dose, hold about a week to assess tolerance, and step up only if needed.

Tiered Protocols · lowest first

Conservative start

1-2 mg weekly · SubQ injection · Once weekly

conservative starter

1-2 mg weekly

Once weekly

Standard

Weekly Steady-State

1-2 mg · SubQ · Weekly

human clinical trial · Teichman et al. 2006 (J Clin Endocrinol Metab)

DAC extends half-life to ~6-8 days, giving continuous GH elevation rather than natural pulses.

1-2 mg

Weekly

Reconstitution CalculatorU-100

Vial strength

BAC water

Vials in this mix

Syringe size

Target dose

050100u

Draw to

— units

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I will split this dose across more than one syringe

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How it works

CJC-1295 with DAC binds GHRH receptors identically to CJC no DAC, activating cAMP/PKA signaling for GH release. The DAC maleimide linker covalently binds albumin Cys34, creating a circulating depot that slowly releases active peptide over 6-8 days. This produces sustained GH elevation rather than acute pulses. When combined with Ipamorelin (which provides acute pulses on top of the sustained baseline), the result is elevated baseline GH with superimposed pulsatile peaks. The maleimide chemistry that enables albumin binding also makes CJC-DAC reactive with free thiol groups on other peptides, which is why it must be pinned alone.

What to expect

Early

Days 1–7

Week 1-2: GH and IGF-1 elevation begins. Sleep improvements. Steady-state reached by second injection.

Mid

Weeks 2–4

Weeks 4-8: Body composition changes. Recovery improvements. Lab should show elevated IGF-1.

Later

Weeks 4–12

Weeks 8-12: Significant body composition results when paired with Ipamorelin, diet, and training.

Evidence

HumanPresent

AnimalPresent

In-vitroPresent

Each reference below was re-fetched from its PubMed record, and the quoted sentence was confirmed to appear in that abstract and to support the claim it sits under. Follow any of them to read the source.

Injected CJC-1295 formed an albumin-associated circulating species in rats that remained detectable beyond 24 hours.

A Western blot analysis of the plasma of a rat injected with CJC-1295 showed the presence of a CJC-1295 immunoreactive species on the band corresponding to serum albumin, appearing after 15 min and remaining in circulation beyond 24 h.

Human growth hormone-releasing factor (hGRF)1-29-albumin bioconjugates activate the GRF receptor on the anterior pituitary in rats: identification of CJC-1295 as a long-lasting GRF analog. Endocrinology · 2005 · PMID 15817669

Evidence scope. Exact molecule, but rat plasma and a biochemical albumin-association observation; it does not establish the page’s specific Cys34 covalent chemistry or a 6-8 day human release duration.

Subcutaneous CJC-1295 produced sustained, dose-dependent GH and IGF-I increases in healthy adults.

Subcutaneous administration of CJC-1295 resulted in sustained, dose-dependent increases in GH and IGF-I levels in healthy adults and was safe and relatively well tolerated, particularly at doses of 30 or 60 microg/kg.

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. The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism · 2006 · PMID 16352683

Evidence scope. Healthy-adult Phase I studies; supports sustained GH/IGF-I elevation, not the page’s absolute 1-2 mg weekly regimen.

No serious adverse reactions were reported in the healthy-adult CJC-1295 studies.

No serious adverse reactions were reported.

Evidence scope. Short Phase I exposure; does not establish long-term safety or the page’s specific glucose, malignancy, edema, joint, or neuropathy warnings.

Claims we could not support

No abstract we checked supports these for this molecule at this route. That is not the same as saying they are false — it marks where the evidence is missing.

Exact quick-start dose/frequency: 1-2 mg SubQ once weekly. Human evidence uses 30 or 60 microg/kg, not an absolute 1-2 mg weekly regimen.

Primary page safety concern: altered glucose homeostasis / active-malignancy contraindication. No checked exact-molecule abstract directly supported these statements at the displayed weekly regimen.

The honest take

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Weekly convenience

Confirmed. 6-8 day half-life allows true once-weekly dosing. Major practical advantage over daily Tesamorelin or CJC no DAC.

Sustained vs pulsatile debate

Pulsatile GH release (CJC no DAC, Tesamorelin) more closely mimics natural physiology. Sustained (DAC) provides higher total GH exposure. Which is superior for body composition is debated. Combining DAC (baseline) + Ipamorelin (pulses) attempts to capture both.

Interactions & stacking

Two different questions: what is documented about running these together, and what is documented about drawing them into the same syringe. A good pharmacological partner can still have to be pinned separately.

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Pin alone. CJC-1295 with DAC must not share a syringe with anything else, whatever the pharmacology says. PIN ALONE. DAC maleimide group reacts with thiol/sulfhydryl groups in cysteine residues of other peptides. This is a chemical reactivity issue, not a pharmacological one.

Documented together

IpamorelinCJC-DAC provides sustained baseline GH elevation (6-8 day half-life) while Ipamorelin provides acute nightly pulses on top. Together: elevated floor + amplified peaks. Must pin in separate syringes.

Keep separate

TesamorelinBoth target GHRH receptors. Continuous DAC stimulation conflicts with Tesamorelin's pulsatile pattern. Accelerates receptor downregulation. Never run simultaneously.

CJC-1295 no DACDo not run both CJC variants.

AOD-9604AOD contains cysteine disulfide bridge. DAC maleimide reacts with cysteine thiol groups.

Check any specific pair in the Stack & Interaction Checker, which answers both questions separately. Absence of a documented conflict is not evidence of safety.

Side effects & safety

Commonly reported

Water retention
Joint stiffness
Injection site reaction
Numbness/tingling in hands

Less common & notes

Continuous GH elevation may carry different risk profile than pulsatile.
Monitor glucose homeostasis closely.
Potential for greater IGF-1 elevation than pulsatile protocols.
Contraindicated in active malignancy.

Pharmacokinetics

Illustrative plasma concentration · 32 d

Half-life

192h

Peak · Tmax

Elimination

960h

Bioavailability

~100%

SubQ

Duration of action

6-8 days

Sustained GHRH receptor stimulation and GH/IGF-1 elevation from albumin depot

Clearance

Slow proteolytic degradation while albumin-bound; DAC maleimide hydrolysis releases peptide for renal clearance

Storage. Maleimide DAC linker susceptible to hydrolysis in solution. Use within 21-28 days after reconstitution. Refrigerate 2-8C. Protect from light. Unreconstituted powder stable frozen for extended periods.

Regulatory status

Not FDA-approved. WADA prohibited under S2. Available through compounding and research channels.

Put it to work

Calculate, log & track

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Go deeper

The guide & community

The complete CJC-1295 with DAC walkthrough, real protocol discussion and coaching live inside the BlessUp community on Skool.

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