CJC-1295 DAC vs Ipamorelin
A long-acting GHRH analog versus a selective ghrelin-receptor agonist — two different routes to growth-hormone release.
Research use only. A summary of published literature for educational reference — not medical advice and not a guide to human use.
The short version
CJC-1295 with DAC acts on the pituitary GHRH receptor and binds albumin, so one injection raised GH and IGF-1 for days in healthy adults. Ipamorelin acts on the ghrelin receptor and was described as the first GH secretagogue with little effect on ACTH or cortisol in animals. They are often paired because the pathways are complementary.
At a glance
Receptor
GHRH receptor (pituitary)
Ghrelin receptor GHS-R1a
Duration
Half-life about 6–8 days (DAC form)
Short-acting pulse
Key human data
Two randomized placebo-controlled trials in healthy adults (2006)
Mainly animal and early pharmacology studies
Approval status
Not approved
Not approved
Research vial sizes
2 mg
5 / 10 mg
01How they work
CJC-1295 is a modified GHRH(1-29) with a Drug Affinity Complex that binds circulating albumin, greatly extending its action. Ipamorelin is a pentapeptide that mimics ghrelin at the GHS-R1a receptor, triggering a GH pulse through a separate pathway.
02What studies measured
In healthy adults, a single CJC-1295 injection raised mean GH 2–10-fold for 6 days or more and IGF-1 1.5–3-fold for 9–11 days, and IGF-1 stayed above baseline for up to 28 days after repeated doses. Ipamorelin studies in rats and pigs measured GH release alongside ACTH and cortisol, finding GH selectivity similar to GHRH.
03Reported side effects
The CJC-1295 trials reported no serious adverse reactions. Ipamorelin has no large published human safety dataset.
04Approval & evidence status
Neither is FDA-approved. Both are on the World Anti-Doping Agency prohibited list as growth-hormone releasing factors.
Citations
- [1]Randomized placebo-controlled trials2006
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
Teichman SL, et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006.
Read paper ↗ - [2]Animal + in vitro study1998
Ipamorelin, the first selective growth hormone secretagogue
Raun K, et al. Eur J Endocrinol, 1998.
Read paper ↗
Research use only. A summary of published literature for educational reference — not medical advice and not a guide to human use.