COMPOUND

Compounds / GH secretagogues

CJC-1295 (DAC)

CJC-1295 with Drug Affinity Complex (DAC:GRF)

GH secretagogues SubQ Not FDA approved

Long-acting GHRH analog. A maleimidopropionyl-lysine modification at position 30 covalently binds the free thiol on Cys34 of serum albumin in vivo, extending plasma half-life from minutes (Mod GRF 1-29) to roughly 6-8 days. Produces sustained, non-pulsatile GH/IGF-1 elevation ('GH bleed') rather than discrete pulses, pharmacodynamically closer to exogenous rHGH than to physiologic GHRH signaling.

At a glance

Half-life
~7 days ~5.8-8.1 days (140-194h) in healthy adults via SC (Teichman 2006, PMID 16352683). Reflects albumin-bound peptide; free peptide is rapidly cleared.
Routes
SubQ
Vial sizes
2 mg · 5 mg
Evidence base
4 studies 3 human · 1 preclinical

Mechanism

Tetra-substituted GRF(1-29) (D-Ala2, Gln8, Ala15, Leu27) prevents DPP-IV degradation, plus an N-epsilon-maleimidopropionyl-lysine at position 30 ('DAC') that bioconjugates in vivo to Cys34 of serum albumin: foundational analog identified in rat studies with 4-fold GH AUC increase over 2h and detectable plasma presence beyond 72h. The albumin-bound peptide retains GHRH receptor affinity but resists renal clearance (t½ 5.8-8.1 days). Pharmacodynamically: sustained background GH elevation (2-10x baseline for 6+ days; IGF-1 1.5-3x baseline for 9-11 days; cumulative IGF-1 elevation up to 28 days with multiple weekly doses). Endogenous GH pulsatility persists despite tonic GHRH-receptor occupancy, though pulse amplitude is reduced. Phase 2 development halted 2006 following a participant death (attributed to CAD by attending physician).

Dosing

Any amounts shown here are reported from published studies only. 3 of 4 catalogued studies involved human subjects. COMPOUND does not publish its own dosing guidance.

Where a study reports an amount, it appears in that study's entry below, attributed to the source.

Published evidence

  1. Human RCT 2006

    Prolonged stimulation of GH and IGF-I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GHRH, in healthy adults

    Teichman SL, Neale A, Lawrence B, et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab

    Single SC injection produced 2-10x GH elevation for ≥6 days and 1.5-3x IGF-1 elevation for 9-11 days. Multiple-dose IGF-1 elevation persisted 28 days. Plasma t½ 5.8-8.1 days. 'Safe and relatively well tolerated' at 30-60 mcg/kg.

    PMID 16352683

  2. Human RCT 2006

    Pulsatile secretion of GH persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GHRH analog

    Ionescu M, Frohman LA J Clin Endocrinol Metab

    Despite tonic GHRH-receptor occupancy, endogenous GH pulsatility persists in part, though pulse amplitude is reduced and baseline elevated, pattern of GH release is not fully physiologic.

    PMID 17018654

  3. Human case report 2006

    Phase 2 trial halt: participant death

    ConjuChem Inc. ConjuChem press release / SEC filing

    ConjuChem CJC-1295 Phase 2 (HIV lipodystrophy + adult GHD, n=192) was halted 17 July 2006 after a participant in Argentina died a few hours after his eleventh injection. Attending physician attributed the death to coronary artery disease with plaque rupture rather than CJC-1295. Trial was terminated and clinical development never resumed.

  4. Animal in vivo 2005

    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

    Jetté L, Léger R, Thibaudeau K, et al. Endocrinology

    Identifies CJC-1295 as the lead long-acting analog. 4-fold increase in GH AUC over 2h vs native hGRF(1-29) and detectable plasma presence beyond 72h. Foundational PK paper.

    PMID 15817669

Reported side effects

Injection site reaction
Common Mild · Tenderness, redness, transient itch.
Flushing / warmth
Common Mild · Transient, especially first dose.
Water retention / edema
Common Moderate · More pronounced than with pulsatile (No-DAC) protocols because GH is elevated continuously. Fingers, ankles, periorbital. Often resolves over 2-4 weeks.
Hand/wrist numbness or tingling (carpal tunnel)
Occasional Moderate · GH-mediated fluid accumulation can compress median nerve. Tesamorelin label flags carpal tunnel as class warning for GH-elevating agents.
Reduced insulin sensitivity / elevated fasting glucose
Common Moderate · Sustained GH elevation drives hepatic gluconeogenesis and reduces peripheral glucose uptake. Tesamorelin trials showed glucose intolerance HR 3.3 (CI 1.4-9.6). Likely applies to any chronic GH-elevating protocol.
Lethargy / fatigue
Occasional Mild · Reported anecdotally with chronic use.
Headache
Occasional Mild · Typically first 1-2 weeks, self-limiting.

Interactions

  • Ipamorelin Synergy

    DAC variant occupies GHRH-R continuously while ipamorelin pulses GHSR-1a. Combined GH pulse is supra-additive but synergy benefit is smaller than with pulsatile GHRH (Mod GRF 1-29) because GHRH-R is already saturated.

  • CJC-1295 (no DAC) Redundant

    Both target GHRH-R; DAC variant provides sustained occupation, additional No-DAC adds little.

  • Insulin Caution

    Sustained GH elevation antagonizes insulin action: drives gluconeogenesis, reduces peripheral glucose uptake. Patients on insulin or insulin-sensitizers may experience destabilized glycemic control.

  • Tesamorelin Redundant

    Both are GHRH-R agonists.

Reconstitution and storage

Lyophilized 2 mg vial + 2 mL BAC water = 1 mg/mL = 100 mcg per 0.1 mL (10 units on insulin syringe). Gentle swirl, do not shake.

Lyophilized: freezer (-20°C) for long-term, refrigerator acceptable. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2-8°C, use within 30-60 days. Protect from light.

Open the reconstitution calculator for CJC-1295 (DAC)