Combination evidence
Retatrutide + CJC-1295 (no DAC) + Ipamorelin
Also called Advanced Recomp stack, recomp stack
This three-compound combination, marketed for body recomposition, pairs investigational retatrutide with two unapproved GH-axis peptides. No study of the combination or of retatrutide with any GH secretagogue was found. The pairing is discussed in connection with lean-mass loss during incretin-based weight loss 2, but whether GH-axis peptides change that has not been tested.
Not studied together in humans
Components
What has been studied
- No human or animal study of retatrutide with CJC-1295, ipamorelin, or any GH secretagogue was found. Searched: PubMed (retatrutide AND (growth hormone OR ipamorelin OR CJC): 0 results) and ClinicalTrials.gov, October 2026.
Why the pairing is discussed
Mechanistic reasoning drawn from studies of each component. Theoretical unless a study above tested the pair.
- Theoretical: weight loss with incretin-based drugs includes lean mass; in a SURMOUNT-1 DXA substudy about 25% of weight lost with tirzepatide (a related agent) was lean mass 1, and a 2026 review notes lean-mass reduction with GLP-1, dual and emerging multi-agonists while stating that available evidence does not show obvious functional harm 2.
- Theoretical: the long-acting DAC form of CJC-1295 raised GH and IGF-1 in healthy adults 3, and ipamorelin produced short GH pulses in healthy men 4; the idea that GH-axis stimulation could offset lean-mass loss during retatrutide-driven weight loss is untested.
- Theoretical: retatrutide's glucagon-receptor activity is linked to increased energy expenditure in obese mice 5.
Concerns and unknowns
- Opposing metabolic effects: GH-axis stimulation can cause glucose intolerance (label warning for the approved GHRH analog tesamorelin) 6, and FDA notes blood-glucose concerns with GH-releasing peptides 7, while retatrutide is studied for glucose lowering; the net effect is unknown.
- Heart rate: retatrutide produced dose-dependent heart-rate increases in phase 2 8, and FDA reports serious adverse events with CJC-1295 including increased heart rate 7; additive effects are possible but unmeasured.
- No interaction, pharmacokinetic or safety data exist for any pairing within this combination; a 2026 review notes uncertainty around product composition and stacking practices with GH-axis peptides 9.
- None of the three components is FDA-approved; a 2026 review lists retatrutide among investigational agents obtained through unregulated channels 10.
- WADA's 2026 list names CJC-1295 and ipamorelin in section S2.2.4; retatrutide is not named but falls under section S0 as a drug under clinical development; all are prohibited at all times 11.
Status of each component
| Compound | Regulatory status | Evidence | Half-life |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retatrutide | Investigational | A | Approximately 6 days (phase 1b multiple-ascending- |
| CJC-1295 (no DAC) | Not approved — research use only | C | No half-life data specific to the no-DAC form were |
| Ipamorelin | Not approved — research use only | B | Terminal half-life of about 2 hours in healthy mal |
Frequently asked questions
What is in the 'Advanced Recomp' combination?
As marketed: retatrutide, CJC-1295 without DAC and ipamorelin. Amiravo cites no marketing material as evidence.
Has it been studied?
No study of the combination, or of retatrutide with any GH secretagogue, was found.
Does it preserve muscle during weight loss?
Are there conflicting effects?
GH-axis stimulation can impair glucose tolerance 6, which runs against retatrutide's glucose-lowering effect; how the two balance has not been studied.
Is it allowed in sport?
References
- Body composition changes during weight reduction with tirzepatide in the SURMOUNT-1 study of adults with obesity or overweight Diabetes Obes Metab. 2025
- Beyond Fat Loss: Addressing the Sarcopenia Challenge of Incretin-Based Therapies Diabetes Metab J. 2026
- 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 J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006
- Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic modeling of ipamorelin, a growth hormone releasing peptide, in human volunteers Pharm Res. 1999
- LY3437943, a novel triple glucagon, GIP, and GLP-1 receptor agonist for glycemic control and weight loss: From discovery to clinical proof of concept Cell Metab. 2022
- EGRIFTA WR (tesamorelin) for injection, prescribing information (revised 03/2025) FDA label (DailyMed). 2025
- Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks (content current as of 04/22/2026) FDA. 2026
- Triple-Hormone-Receptor Agonist Retatrutide for Obesity: A Phase 2 Trial N Engl J Med. 2023
- The emerging landscape of performance-enhancing peptides modulating GH-IGF1 axis: bridging the gap between clinical evidence and patient self-administration Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2026
- Dangers of Injectable Peptides and Other Unregulated "Biohacking" Drugs Mo Med. 2026
- International Standard: Prohibited List 2026 World Anti-Doping Agency. 2026