CJC-1295 (DAC)
★ 80CJC-1295 with Drug Affinity Complex
Long-acting GHRH analog with weekly dosing
Muscle GrowthAbout
A modified 30-amino-acid growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) analog with a Drug Affinity Complex (DAC) that covalently binds to circulating albumin, extending half-life to roughly 6-8 days. This is the long-acting variant of CJC-1295, distinct from the No-DAC version in this database (which has a half-life of about 30 minutes and is dosed daily). Stimulates sustained pulsatile GH release for 6+ days from a single injection. Not FDA-approved; a 2006 Phase II trial was halted after a participant death.
Mechanism
Binds GHRH receptors on pituitary somatotrophs, triggering cAMP signaling and pulsatile GH release. The DAC (a maleimidopropionic acid linker) attaches the peptide to serum albumin's cysteine-34, shielding it from enzymatic degradation. Resulting elevated GH drives hepatic IGF-1 production.
Dosage
beginner
- Amount
- 500-1,000 mcg
- Frequency
- Once weekly
- Route
- Subcutaneous
- Duration
- Weeks 1-2 (titration)
standard
- Amount
- 1,000 mcg (1 mg)
- Frequency
- Once weekly
- Route
- Subcutaneous
- Duration
- Weeks 3-8
advanced
- Amount
- 2,000 mcg weekly OR 1,000 mcg twice weekly
- Frequency
- 1-2x weekly
- Route
- Subcutaneous
- Duration
- Weeks 3-12
Same day each week, evening preferred to align elevated GH with natural sleep-phase secretion. Steady state develops over 3-4 weeks. Site rotation (abdomen, thigh, deltoid) reduces local reactions.
Standard: 8-12 weeks on, 4-6 weeks off. Extended: 12-16 weeks on, 6-8 weeks off. Side effects can persist for days rather than minutes due to extended half-life — adverse reactions cannot be quickly reversed by stopping. Often stacked with a GHRP/ghrelin mimetic (ipamorelin) for synergistic GH pulses.
Reconstitution & Storage
A 1 mg dose = 30 units on a U-100 insulin syringe. Inject water slowly down vial wall, swirl gently — do not shake. Smaller 2 mg or 5 mg vials are also common; recalculate concentration accordingly.
Dosing reference — units to draw
Concentration = peptide mass ÷ bacteriostatic water; units to draw = dose volume (mL) × 100 on a U-100 insulin syringe. Each vial size below is shown at 1 mL, with the units to draw for a typical 2–4 mg dose.
| Vial | BAC water | Concentration | Units to draw |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 mg | 1 mL | 10 mg/mL | 20–40 units |
Lyophilized: refrigerate 2-8°C; freezer -20°C for long-term. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2-8°C and use within 4-6 weeks given weekly dosing. Protect from light.
Benefits
- • Sustained 6-day GH elevation from a single weekly injection
- • 1.5-3x baseline IGF-1 elevation lasting 9-11 days
- • Improved body composition (muscle gain, fat loss)
- • Enhanced recovery and sleep quality
- • Convenient weekly dosing schedule
Side effects
- • Water retention and mild edema
- • Flushing and warmth after injection
- • Headache, lethargy, brain fog
- • Injection-site reactions
- • Numbness or tingling (carpal tunnel-like)
- • Effects persist for days due to long half-life
Contraindications
- • Active malignancy (sustained IGF-1 elevation concern)
- • Cardiovascular disease
- • Type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance (worsens insulin sensitivity)
- • Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- • Known peptide hypersensitivity
- • Adolescents with open growth plates
Gender notes
Men
May notice more pronounced strength and recovery effects. Monitor for gynecomastia signs with extended cycles.
Women
Sensitivity to water retention often higher; start at 500 mcg weekly. Avoid in pregnancy or while attempting conception.
Research
- Prolonged stimulation of growth hormone and IGF-I secretion by CJC-1295, a long-acting analog of GH-releasing hormone, in healthy adults ↗
Landmark Teichman et al. Phase I trial — single SubQ injection produced 2-10x GH elevation for 6+ days and 1.5-3x IGF-1 elevation for 9-11 days; estimated half-life 5.8-8.1 days.
Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism · 2006
- Sustained release of human growth hormone from a novel GHRH analog conjugated to albumin ↗
Mechanism paper describing DAC-albumin conjugation chemistry and resulting pharmacokinetic extension.
Endocrinology · 2005
- Effects of long-acting growth hormone-releasing hormone agonist (CJC-1295) on growth hormone secretion and IGF-1 levels ↗
Follow-up pharmacodynamic study in adults with abdominal obesity confirming sustained GH/IGF-1 axis stimulation.
Growth Hormone & IGF Research · 2008
Stacks well with
CJC-1295 (DAC) FAQ
How do you reconstitute CJC-1295 (DAC)?
Add 1 mL of bacteriostatic water to a 10 mg vial of CJC-1295 (DAC), which gives a concentration of 10 mg/mL. Inject the water slowly down the vial wall and swirl gently — never shake.
What is a typical CJC-1295 (DAC) dose?
A typical research dose of CJC-1295 (DAC) is 2–4 mg, once weekly. This is educational information, not medical advice.
How many units of CJC-1295 (DAC) do I draw?
From a 10 mg vial reconstituted with 1 mL of bacteriostatic water, draw 20–40 units on a U-100 insulin syringe for a 2–4 mg dose.
Track CJC-1295 (DAC) doses in the app
Built-in reconstitution calculator, dose log, and reminders. Free on Android.
Get on Google PlayEducational use only. Not medical advice. Many peptides shown are not FDA-approved and remain research compounds. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.