What it is
CJC-1295 with DAC is a growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, a synthetic compound that acts on the same receptor as the body's own GHRH. DAC stands for Drug Affinity Complex, a modification that lets the molecule bind albumin, a protein that circulates in blood. Unlike the "No DAC" version, it produces a sustained elevation of growth hormone (GH) and IGF-1 over several days rather than a short pulse.
The human data come mainly from early-phase pharmacology studies in healthy adults rather than long-term trials. In the PeptidesAI encyclopedia it is categorized under growth hormone.
How it's thought to work
CJC-1295 with DAC is a GHRH receptor agonist with a DAC linker that binds albumin in the bloodstream, which extends its half-life: in one human study the estimated half-life was 5.8 to 8.1 days. The PeptidesAI encyclopedia describes the result as a continuous elevation of GH and IGF-1 rather than the pulsatile pattern of shorter-acting GHRH analogs. A separate human study found that GH pulses persisted after a single injection, with the frequency and size of pulses unchanged but baseline (trough) GH levels raised about 7.5-fold, so the pattern is better described as a raised baseline under preserved pulses.
What the research says
In two randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind ascending-dose trials in healthy adults aged 21 to 61, a single injection of CJC-1295 produced dose-dependent increases in mean plasma GH of 2- to 10-fold for six days or more and in mean IGF-1 of 1.5- to 3-fold for 9 to 11 days. After multiple doses, mean IGF-1 stayed above baseline for up to 28 days, and no serious adverse reactions were reported. In 20- to 40-year-old men, mean GH rose 46% and IGF-1 rose 45% one week after a single injection.
These are early-phase pharmacology studies in healthy volunteers. There are no long-term human outcome trials, and CJC-1295 with DAC is not FDA-approved.
Reported side effects
The PeptidesAI encyclopedia lists water retention, tingling or numbness in the hands, joint aches, headache and injection site reactions. In the ascending-dose trials the authors reported no serious adverse reactions. The encyclopedia identifies sustained IGF-1 elevation as the main consideration, and long-term human safety data are absent.
Reconstitution
CJC-1295 with DAC is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder and is typically reconstituted with bacteriostatic (BAC) water before use. It commonly comes in 2 mg and 5 mg vials. The amount of peptide in the vial is fixed; the water added only changes how concentrated the solution is.
Worked example. A 5 mg vial is 5,000 mcg. Reconstituted with 2 mL of BAC water, that works out to 5,000 mcg ÷ 2 mL = 2,500 mcg/mL. On a U-100 insulin syringe, where each unit is 0.01 mL, each unit holds 2,500 × 0.01 = 25 mcg. Use the peptide reconstitution calculator to work out the concentration and units for any vial size and water volume.
Important notes
CJC-1295 with DAC is not FDA-approved. Sustained GH elevation differs from the pulsatile pattern of shorter-acting analogs, and there are no long-term human data on that difference. It is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Sources
- 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. Human trial
- Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog. Ionescu M et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2006. Human trial
Frequently asked questions
These questions cover the same ground as the sections above, in a shorter format.
What is CJC-1295 with DAC?
A long-acting GHRH analog modified with a Drug Affinity Complex that binds albumin, studied for sustained GH and IGF-1 elevation.
How is CJC-1295 with DAC thought to work?
It activates the GHRH receptor, and the DAC linker binds albumin, extending its half-life to several days and raising baseline GH and IGF-1 levels.
What does the research on CJC-1295 with DAC say?
Early-phase trials in healthy adults showed dose-dependent, sustained increases in GH and IGF-1 and no serious adverse reactions. There are no long-term outcome trials, and it is not FDA-approved.
What are the reported side effects of CJC-1295 with DAC?
Water retention, tingling or numbness, joint aches, headache and injection site reactions; long-term human safety data are absent.
How much is one unit from a 5 mg CJC-1295 with DAC vial?
With 2 mL of BAC water, a 5 mg vial is 2,500 mcg/mL, so one unit on a U-100 syringe (0.01 mL) holds 25 mcg.
The full entry, plus the calculator
The PeptidesAI app has the complete encyclopedia entry for CJC-1295 with DAC — one of 70 compounds covered — plus the reconstitution calculator, a dose log and reminders. Free to download on iPhone.
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