Peptide education
CJC-1295
Also known as: DAC:GRF · Modified GRF with Drug Affinity Complex — Long-acting growth-hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog
CJC-1295 is a modified GHRH analog engineered for a multi-day half-life via albumin binding. It produced sustained GH and IGF-1 elevations in early human studies before clinical development stopped.
Regulatory status
Not FDA-approved. Explicitly flagged by the FDA among compounding bulk substances with significant safety risks.
What the evidence shows
A published phase-I program (Teichman 2006) showed dose-dependent GH and IGF-1 increases lasting up to 14 days in healthy adults. Development was discontinued; long-term human safety was never characterized. A serious adverse event (death) occurred in one trial subject, though causality was debated.
Human evidence
Phase-I pharmacology only. No efficacy outcomes; no long-term safety data.
Animal & preclinical evidence
Standard preclinical GHRH-analog pharmacology.
Proposed mechanism
Binds GHRH receptors on pituitary somatotrophs and, through its Drug Affinity Complex, binds serum albumin — extending half-life to roughly 6–8 days and producing sustained GH/IGF-1 elevation rather than physiologic pulses.
Potential risks
- Sustained (non-pulsatile) GH elevation — physiologic consequences unknown long-term
- Fluid retention, joint pain, insulin resistance typical of GH-axis stimulation
- FDA-flagged safety concerns in compounding
- Theoretical growth signal in undiagnosed malignancy
Contraindications
- Active or historical malignancy
- Diabetes or significant insulin resistance without close supervision
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Pituitary disorders
Common research endpoints
- Serum GH AUC and pulsatility
- IGF-1 elevation duration
- Body-composition change (never established in trials)
Questions to ask a licensed clinician
- Why was clinical development of this compound discontinued?
- What are the risks of sustained versus pulsatile GH elevation for me?
- How would my IGF-1 and glucose markers be monitored?
- Are there FDA-approved alternatives for my actual goal?
References
- Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, et al. (2006). 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. SourcePhase-I RCT
- US Food and Drug Administration (2023). Certain bulk drug substances for use in compounding that may present significant safety risks. FDA Human Drug Compounding. SourceAgency notice
Related compounds
- Ipamorelin — Early clinical
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