LA LABResearch Reference Document
Compound Guide
CJC-1295 with DAC — Long-Acting GHRH Analogue
Quick Start
CJC-1295 DAC vs CJC-1295 No DAC — Critical Distinction
CJC-1295 with DAC (this guide) has a plasma half-life of 5.8–8.1 days and is dosed once weekly. CJC-1295 without DAC ("Modified GRF 1-29") has a half-life of ~30 minutes and is dosed daily, usually alongside Ipamorelin. These are different protocols and cannot be substituted. Always confirm which version you are working with.
What It Is
CJC-1295 with DAC is a 30-amino acid GHRH (Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone) analogue developed by ConjuChem. The Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) technology covalently binds the peptide to serum albumin after injection, dramatically extending its half-life from ~30 minutes to 5.8–8.1 days.
Research Dosing
500–2,000 mcg SubQ once weekly. Some protocols split into two 500 mcg–1 mg doses twice weekly. No fasting requirement (unlike Ipamorelin). Most research uses 1,000 mcg (1 mg) once weekly for 8–12 weeks.
Regulatory Status
Not FDA-approved. Phase 2 HIV lipodystrophy trial (NCT00267527) was halted in 2006 following a participant cardiovascular death. FDA Category 2 review record exists; no active trials as of 2026. WADA banned (S2). For research purposes only.
Dosing Protocol
Dosing figures are not provided for compounds we do not stock.
Supplies & Reconstitution
Reconstitution & Dosing
LA LAB does not stock this as a standalone product, so vial-specific reconstitution and dosing figures are not provided here. This page is a research reference only. For compounds we carry, see our guides.
Vial Planning Guide
| Dose | Frequency | Injections per 10 mg Vial | Vials for 8 Weeks | Vials for 12 Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mg | Once weekly | 10 | 1 vial | 1–2 vials |
| 2 mg | Once weekly | 5 | 2 vials | 3 vials |
| 500 mcg | Twice weekly | 10 (5 weeks) | 2 vials | 3 vials |
Reconstitution Steps
01
Warm the vial
Remove from freezer 10–15 min before use. Reach room temperature naturally.
02
Swab both stoppers
Alcohol swab each vial top. Allow to air-dry before inserting needle.
03
Draw BAC water
Draw the required BAC water volume (e.g. 3.0 mL for 10 mg vial).
04
Inject down the wall
Let BAC water run slowly down the inside glass wall of the peptide vial — never jet directly onto the powder.
05
Gentle swirl
Swirl slowly until the solution is clear and fully dissolved. Do not shake.
06
Refrigerate
Store at 2–8°C, upright, for up to 30 days. Protect from light. Do not freeze after reconstitution.
Mechanism of Action
GHRH Receptor Agonism
Binds pituitary GHRH receptors → cAMP/PKA signalling → GH synthesis and pulsatile release. Mimics endogenous GHRH but with dramatically extended activity due to the DAC modification.
DAC Technology
The Drug Affinity Complex is a maleimidoproprionic acid reactive group that covalently binds to serum albumin (Cys-34) after injection. This albumin binding extends half-life to 5.8–8.1 days, allowing once-weekly dosing.
GH Elevation
Phase 1 human data (Teichman 2006): 2–10× GH elevation sustained for 6+ days after a single injection. Once-weekly dosing maintains elevated baseline GH throughout the cycle.
IGF-1 Elevation
Phase 1 data: IGF-1 elevation 1.5–3× above baseline for 9–11 days after injection. Sustained IGF-1 is the downstream mediator of most studied effects (protein synthesis, body composition).
Research Status
| Study | Design | Key Finding |
|---|---|---|
| Teichman et al. 2006 | Phase 1; healthy adults; single dose | GH 2–10× elevated for 6+ days; IGF-1 1.5–3× for 9–11 days; well tolerated |
| NCT00267527 (Phase 2) | HIV lipodystrophy; randomised | Halted 2006 after one participant cardiovascular death; causality not established |
Phase 2 Trial Safety Note
The Phase 2 HIV lipodystrophy trial NCT00267527 was halted in 2006 following a participant cardiovascular death. The investigators noted causality was not established, but development was discontinued. No further Phase 2 or Phase 3 trials have been registered for CJC-1295 with DAC.
Storage
| State | Temperature | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lyophilised (powder) | −20°C (freezer) | Up to 24 months | Protect from light and moisture |
| Reconstituted (liquid) | 2–8°C (refrigerator) | Up to 30 days | Do not freeze after reconstitution |
| Short-term (travel) | <25°C | Up to 72 hours | Avoid heat and direct sunlight |
Disclaimer
This document is an educational research reference only. It is not medical advice, not a treatment plan, and not a recommendation to use CJC-1295 with DAC outside of a qualified research context. The Phase 2 trial for this compound was halted following a safety event. WADA banned. By purchasing from LA LAB you confirm you are 18+ and that products are for research purposes only.
Side Effects & What People Report
CJC-1295 with DAC has published human trial data — unusually for this list — showing dose-dependent rises in GH and IGF-1 lasting days after a single dose.
| Reported | Detail |
|---|---|
| Injection-site reactions | Redness and itching were reported in the published trial. |
| Flushing | Common shortly after injection. |
| Water retention, joint aches, tingling hands | Classic signs of too much GH. The usual reason to reduce the dose. |
| Headache, tiredness | Reported by some users. |
Why the DAC version behaves differently
The drug affinity complex binds CJC-1295 to albumin, stretching its half-life to roughly 6–8 days. That means a steady elevation in GH rather than pulses. It is also why a dose that is too high cannot simply be slept off — it is with you for a week.
Who Should Avoid CJC-1295 (DAC)
| Situation | Why |
|---|---|
| Active cancer, or a recent history | Avoid. Growth hormone and IGF-1 promote cell growth. This is the central safety concern for anything that raises them. |
| Pregnancy or breastfeeding | Avoid. No safety data. |
| Under 18 | Avoid. The GH axis is still developing; interfering with it is not something to guess at. |
| Diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance | Raising GH can worsen insulin resistance. Needs prescriber supervision and glucose monitoring. |
| Active diabetic retinopathy | A contraindication on licensed GH products. |
| Competing athletes | GH secretagogues are on the WADA prohibited list. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does DAC actually change?
Without DAC the half-life is around 30 minutes and you get a pulse. With DAC it is 6–8 days and you get a sustained elevation. Different compounds in practice, despite the shared name.
Without DAC the half-life is around 30 minutes and you get a pulse. With DAC it is 6–8 days and you get a sustained elevation. Different compounds in practice, despite the shared name.
Is a constant elevation better than pulses?
Not necessarily, and this is the main argument against DAC. The body normally releases GH in pulses, and some researchers think the pulse pattern matters. Nobody has settled it.
Not necessarily, and this is the main argument against DAC. The body normally releases GH in pulses, and some researchers think the pulse pattern matters. Nobody has settled it.
Why combine it with ipamorelin?
Two different routes — GHRH analogue plus ghrelin receptor. The combination is standard in community protocols and has no human trial behind it.
Two different routes — GHRH analogue plus ghrelin receptor. The combination is standard in community protocols and has no human trial behind it.
How often do I inject?
Because of the long half-life, once or twice weekly rather than daily.
Because of the long half-life, once or twice weekly rather than daily.
Will it show on a drug test?
Yes. WADA prohibited list.
Yes. WADA prohibited list.
Why was development stopped?
CJC-1295 was not taken forward to approval. It is sold as a research chemical, not as a shelved-but-proven medicine.
CJC-1295 was not taken forward to approval. It is sold as a research chemical, not as a shelved-but-proven medicine.
Sources & Research
Teichman SL et al. Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2006;91:799–805.
Ionescu M, Frohman LA. Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2006;91:4792–7.
Regulatory status — not approved by SAHPRA or the FDA. On the WADA prohibited list.
Educational reference only
This document is a research reference, not medical advice and not a treatment plan. CJC-1295 was never taken through to approval and is not approved by SAHPRA. Dose decisions belong to you and your prescriber. Independent certificates of analysis for every LA LAB batch are published under Research → Lab Results, with the Janoshik task number and verification key so you can check them yourself.