CJC-1295

CJC-1295 is a synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that stimulates prolonged pituitary secretion of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), investigated for treating growth hormone deficiency and related conditions.

Brief glance

The primary outcome is Performance, but it's also used for Anti-Aging, Metabolic. This compound is considered a Peptide. It is not currently indicated as compoundable in 503A pharmacies. It is not listed under a DEA schedule.

Overview

CJC-1295 is a synthetic long-acting analog of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) that stimulates prolonged pituitary secretion of growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). Administered subcutaneously, it produces dose-dependent 2- to 10-fold increases in GH levels lasting 6 days or more and 1.5- to 3-fold elevations in IGF-I for 9-11 days, with a half-life of 5.8-8.1 days. It shows potential for treating growth hormone deficiency, muscle wasting, and age-related decline, with a favorable safety profile in clinical trials.

CJC-1295 is a synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), functioning as a growth hormone secretagogue that stimulates pituitary gland release of endogenous growth hormone (GH) and subsequently insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). It features modifications to the GHRH(1-29) sequence, with variants including a drug affinity complex (DAC) that binds albumin to extend its half-life to 5.8-8.1 days, enabling prolonged 2- to 10-fold elevations in GH levels for up to 6 days or more after a single subcutaneous dose. A non-DAC form, often termed modified GRF(1-29), has a shorter half-life of about 30 minutes and requires more frequent administration. Clinical studies in healthy adults demonstrate dose-dependent, sustained increases in GH and IGF-1 with good tolerability at doses of 30-60 microg/kg, though it lacks FDA approval for therapeutic use. Its pharmacological profile supports investigation for GH optimization, but it remains a research compound without established prescription indications.

Benefits

CJC-1295 is a long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog administered via subcutaneous injection that produces sustained, dose-dependent increases in circulating growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels.¹ In clinical studies, a single injection of CJC-1295 resulted in 2- to 10-fold increases in mean plasma growth hormone concentrations for 6 or more days, with mean IGF-I concentrations elevated 1.5- to 3-fold for 9–11 days, and the estimated half-life ranged from 5.8–8.1 days.¹ The primary therapeutic application is treatment of growth hormone deficiency, a condition affecting approximately 1 in 10,000 adults that can cause depression, insulin resistance, and increased body fat.² Multiple human trials demonstrated that even small weekly doses (30–90 micrograms per kilogram) of CJC-1295 resulted in sustained, dose-dependent increases in growth hormone secretion and pulsatility in healthy adults, with no serious adverse reactions reported and good tolerability particularly at doses of 30 or 60 micrograms per kilogram.¹ Evidence supports CJC-1295 as a therapeutic option for patients requiring growth hormone supplementation, functioning as an alternative to direct human growth hormone replacement therapy.

Side effects

Common side effects of CJC-1295 include injection site reactions such as redness, pain, or swelling, flushing, headaches, nausea, dizziness or vertigo, fatigue, water retention, tingling or numbness, increased body temperature, mood swings, anxiety, and flu-like symptoms.³,⁴,⁵,⁶,⁷ These effects are generally mild and may resolve with dose adjustment or as the body adapts, though the longer-acting form with DAC can elevate risks like insulin resistance, joint stiffness, or prolonged growth hormone exposure.⁴,⁶ Rare but serious considerations involve increased heart rate, hypotension, significant swelling, chest pain, allergic reactions (rash, hives, breathing difficulty), blood sugar changes, or potential long-term hormonal imbalances, necessitating immediate medical attention.²,⁴,⁷,⁸ Professional consultation is essential prior to use due to limited long-term data and regulatory concerns, including FDA warnings on cardiovascular effects.²,⁵,⁶ Contraindicated in cancer patients owing to risks of cellular proliferation.²

Mechanisms of action

CJC-1295, a synthetic analogue of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), binds to GHRH receptors on pituitary somatotroph cells, inducing conformational changes that activate stimulatory G-proteins (Gs).⁹,¹⁰,¹¹ This activation stimulates adenylyl cyclase to convert ATP into cyclic AMP (cAMP), elevating intracellular cAMP levels as a key second messenger that promotes growth hormone (GH) synthesis and pulsatile secretion.⁹,¹¹ The peptide's extended half-life, achieved through Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) technology enabling reversible binding to serum albumin, creates a circulating reservoir that sustains receptor stimulation and cAMP elevation for days, leading to prolonged dose-dependent increases in GH and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels.¹,⁹,¹⁰ This mechanism balances the GHRH-somatostatin axis, optimizing pituitary responsiveness without disrupting natural feedback regulation.⁹