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For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Not a drug, food, or dietary supplement.
AMIRAVOResearch Library

CJC-1295 with DAC vs CJC-1295 without DAC

CJC-1295 with DAC and CJC-1295 without DAC share a substituted GHRH(1-29) sequence but differ in one feature: the DAC form carries a maleimidopropionamide-lysine group that binds serum albumin 1,5. That group is what gives the DAC form a half-life of several days in human studies, and all published human studies concern the DAC form 2,5. FDA has noted that the shared common name makes it hard to know which structure a source refers to 5.

Unbranded reference vial illustrating CJC-1295 (with DAC); not an actual product
CJC-1295 (with DAC)
Not approved — research use only
Unbranded reference vial illustrating CJC-1295 (no DAC); not an actual product
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Not approved — research use only

Side by side

FieldCJC-1295 (with DAC)CJC-1295 (no DAC)
ClassLong-acting GHRH analog; albumin bioconjugate 1GHRH analog 5
Origin and structureTetrasubstituted hGRF(1-29) with a C-terminal maleimidopropionamide-lysine (DAC) 1The same peptide backbone without the DAC group 5
Proposed mechanismActivates the GRF receptor on the anterior pituitary; binds albumin in circulation 1Expected GHRH-receptor action, but FDA found no nonclinical studies establishing activity 5
Half-lifeEstimated 5.8-8.1 days in healthy adults 2No data identified 5
Highest human trial phasePhase 2 in HIV-associated visceral obesity (terminated; no posted results) 6No human studies identified 5
FDA statusNot approved; FDA proposed in 2024 that it not be added to the 503A bulks list; CJC-1295 is on FDA's significant-safety-risk compounding page (nomination withdrawn) 5,7,9Not approved; same 2024 FDA proposal 5,9
Published human outcomesIn healthy adults, GH rose 2- to 10-fold for 6 days or more and IGF-I 1.5- to 3-fold for 9-11 days after a single injection 2None identified 5
Safety signalsFlushing, headache, transient hypotension and dose-dependent heart-rate increase reported in studies of healthy adults, as summarized by FDA 5FDA states there are no data to assess safety 5
WADA statusCJC-1295 named under S2.2.4 as a GHRH analog; prohibited at all times 8CJC-1295 named under S2.2.4; the List does not distinguish DAC forms 8
Evidence levelRat and mouse studies plus short human studies in healthy adults 1,2,3,4No direct evidence 5

CJC-1295 (with DAC): what the data says

CJC-1295 with DAC was identified by its developer as the best of three maleimido derivatives of hGRF(1-29); it gave a 4-fold larger GH area under the curve over 2 hours than hGRF(1-29) in rats and was present in plasma beyond 72 hours 1. In two randomized, placebo-controlled studies in healthy adults, a single injection raised mean GH 2- to 10-fold for 6 days or more and IGF-I 1.5- to 3-fold for 9-11 days, and the estimated half-life was 5.8-8.1 days 2.

In healthy men, GH pulse frequency and magnitude were unchanged after CJC-1295, while trough GH rose 7.5-fold, mean GH 46% and IGF-I 45% 3. In GHRH knockout mice, the most frequent administration schedule normalized body weight and length (animal data) 4. A phase 2 trial in HIV-associated visceral obesity is listed as terminated, and FDA's 2024 presentation described an anecdotal report that it stopped after a participant died, with data not published 5,6.

CJC-1295 (no DAC): what the data says

CJC-1295 without DAC lacks the albumin-binding group 5. FDA reported that this form was first referenced in the literature in 2010, when it was identified in an unknown preparation seized by Norwegian police and customs 5.

FDA's December 2024 evaluation stated that there are no nonclinical or clinical data to assess the safety and effectiveness of CJC-1295 free base or acetate, and that its safety and effectiveness discussion relied on DAC-related substances 5. FDA also stated that it is not possible to know which structure is intended when only the common name is used, which creates risks for patients and for chemical analysis 5.

Key research differences

  • Albumin binding: only the DAC form carries the maleimidopropionamide-lysine group that binds albumin 1,5.
  • Duration: the DAC form had an estimated half-life of 5.8-8.1 days in humans, while no data exist for the non-DAC form 2,5.
  • GH pattern: the DAC form raised trough GH while preserving pulsatility in healthy men; no comparable data exist for the non-DAC form 3,5.
  • Evidence: all published human studies of CJC-1295 concern the DAC form, according to FDA 5.
  • Naming: the same common name is used for both, and FDA flags this as a source of error 5.

Where the evidence is limited

No study comparing the two forms directly in the same experiment was identified. Human data exist only for the DAC form and come from short studies in healthy adults; its phase 2 trial was terminated without published results 2,3,6. For the non-DAC form, FDA found no nonclinical or clinical data, so its activity, duration and safety are not established 5. Because both forms share a name, product and literature labels may be ambiguous 5.

Frequently asked questions

What does DAC mean?
Drug affinity complex: a maleimidopropionamide-lysine group at the C-terminus that binds covalently to serum albumin 1,5.
How long does each form last?
The DAC form had an estimated half-life of 5.8-8.1 days in healthy adults; no data were found for the non-DAC form 2,5.
Which form was studied in humans?
FDA states that the published human studies concern the DAC form 5.
Is either FDA-approved?
No. FDA proposed in 2024 that none of the CJC-1295-related substances be added to the 503A bulks list, and no DailyMed label was found 5,9.
Are they prohibited in sport?
CJC-1295 is named as a GHRH analog under S2.2.4 of WADA's 2026 List 8.

References

  1. Human growth hormone-releasing factor (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 Endocrinology. 2005
  2. 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 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2006
  3. Pulsatile secretion of growth hormone (GH) persists during continuous stimulation by CJC-1295, a long-acting GH-releasing hormone analog Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2006
  4. Once-daily administration of CJC-1295, a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog, normalizes growth in the GHRH knockout mouse American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2006
  5. Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee Meeting, December 4, 2024: FDA presentations (including CJC-1295-related and AOD-9604-related bulk drug substances) FDA. 2024
  6. A Study to Evaluate CJC 1295 in HIV Patients With Visceral Obesity (NCT00267527) ClinicalTrials.gov. 2006
  7. Certain Bulk Drug Substances for Use in Compounding that May Present Significant Safety Risks (content current as of 04/22/2026) FDA (Human Drug Compounding). 2026
  8. International Standard: Prohibited List 2026 WADA. 2026
  9. DailyMed drug label search for CJC-1295 (zero labels returned on 22 October 2026) DailyMed (NLM). 2026

For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Not a drug, food, or dietary supplement. This page compares published research and is not medical advice or a recommendation.