CJC-1295 with DAC

CJC-1295 with DAC is a synthetic analog of growth hormone–releasing hormone (GHRH) that includes a drug affinity complex (DAC) modification intended to prolong its duration of action. It is frequently referenced in experimental and wellness circles as a long-acting GH-axis peptide.

Regulatory status and product standards for CJC-1295 with DAC vary, and many marketed uses are not part of mainstream, guideline-based endocrine practice.

Like GHRH, CJC-1295 with DAC acts at the pituitary to stimulate growth hormone secretion, which in turn influences IGF-1 and downstream metabolic pathways. The DAC modification is intended to extend the peptide’s half-life and sustain GH/IGF-1 stimulation over a longer window.

The physiologic effects depend on baseline GH-axis integrity, dose, and co-administered agents, as well as on how protocols are structured in practice.

CJC-1295 with DAC is largely discussed in experimental and wellness contexts rather than as a widely approved therapy for GH deficiency. It may appear in discussions around body composition, perceived vitality, or sleep, but such uses often sit outside formal labeling.

For individuals with suspected GH-axis disorders, clinicians typically rely on established diagnostic criteria and better-characterized therapies. Any consideration of CJC-1295 with DAC should be evaluated against local regulations and expert guidance.

CJC-1295 is classified as a prohibited substance by WADA under category S2.

Notable athlete sanctions involving CJC-1295 include:

• Ondrej Slezak (cycling/mountain bike): Sanctioned by Sport Integrity Australia for multiple violations including use and possession of CJC-1295 (alongside ipamorelin, thymosin beta-4, and other prohibited substances), with his ineligibility later extended to December 2025 for competing during his ban.

Described effects include injection-site reactions, flushing, headache, and changes in sleep or energy patterns. Because the peptide modulates the GH/IGF-1 axis, there are theoretical concerns about impacts on glucose metabolism, fluid balance, and tissue growth, especially with longer-term use.

These considerations highlight the importance of clinician oversight and a cautious approach to interpreting claims about benefits.

CJC-1295 with DAC has a half-life of 6–8 days due to its affinity for serum albumin, supporting infrequent dosing.

This information summarizes commonly discussed research practices and does not constitute medical advice.

CJC-1295 with DAC commonly appears as a lyophilized powder for reconstitution. A complication specific to this compound is that the label does not identify the substance: FDA evaluated five chemically distinct CJC-1295-related bulk substances — CJC-1295 (free base), CJC-1295 acetate, CJC-1295 DAC (free base), CJC-1295 DAC acetate and CJC-1295 DAC trifluoroacetate — and concluded that even in the published human studies "it is unclear which substance was used," with no salt form specified (FDA briefing document, PCAC December 2024). The free base and the DAC forms differ in half-life by roughly three orders of magnitude.

It is most often paired with a ghrelin-receptor agonist such as ipamorelin, marketed as a blend. The rationale is real pharmacology — a GHRH analog and a growth hormone releasing peptide act at different receptors and stimulate GH release synergistically (Bowers et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2004) — but that synergy was demonstrated with GHRH and GHRP-2, not with this combination, which has never been tested in a controlled human trial.

Research on CJC-1295 and related GHRH analogs has examined GH/IGF-1 responses, tolerability, and potential effects on body composition or metabolic markers. The evidence base is smaller and more heterogeneous than for established GH therapies.

Claims about long-term benefits should therefore be interpreted cautiously and weighed against uncertainties around safety and comparative effectiveness.

For deeper dives on this peptide, see:

• CJC-1295 with DAC benefits and areas of interest
• CJC-1295 with DAC side effects and safety context
• CJC-1295 with DAC dosing concepts (educational)
• CJC-1295 with DAC research and evidence overview

How long does CJC-1295 with DAC stay in the body? Its estimated half-life in healthy adults is 5.8 to 8.1 days. A single subcutaneous injection raised growth hormone 2- to 10-fold for six days or more and IGF-1 1.5- to 3-fold for 9–11 days; with weekly or biweekly dosing, IGF-1 stayed above baseline for as long as 28 days (Teichman et al., J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2006).

What is the DAC, actually? A maleimido-modified lysine added to the peptide. After injection it reacts with the free thiol of cysteine-34 on circulating serum albumin, forming a covalent bond in the bloodstream — so the drug travels with albumin instead of being cleared. In rats the conjugate produced a four-fold larger GH area under the curve than unmodified human GRF and was still detectable beyond 72 hours (Jetté et al., Endocrinology 2005).

Why did clinical development stop? ConjuChem withdrew CJC-1295 DAC from trials in 2006 after a participant in a phase 2 study in HIV lipodystrophy died. Two hours after an eleventh weekly dose the participant reported chest discomfort; an ECG confirmed acute myocardial infarction and he died about an hour later. The attending physician's stated most likely explanation was asymptomatic coronary artery disease with plaque rupture. The study was terminated and its data never published (FDA briefing document, PCAC December 2024; NCT00267527).

Can a compounding pharmacy legally supply it? FDA proposed against it, and in December 2024 its Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee agreed unanimously: the vote was 13–0 against placing CJC-1295 DAC on the 503A bulks list, and 13–0 or 12–1 against every other CJC-1295 form put to it (PCAC final summary minutes, 4 December 2024).

What is the difference from tesamorelin? Both are stabilized GHRH analogs, but tesamorelin completed phase 3 trials and holds an FDA approval for HIV-associated visceral fat. CJC-1295's only trial in people with a condition was terminated. FDA's 2024 review found "no studies evaluating effectiveness in humans with GHD for any of the evaluated substances."

Is it banned in sport? Yes — prohibited at all times under WADA section S2 as a growth hormone-releasing factor. A Norwegian doping control laboratory identified CJC-1295 in a seized preparation as early as 2009 and noted its S2 status then (Henninge et al., Drug Test Anal 2010).