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CJC-1295 (DAC)30 residuesYDADIFTQSYRKVLAQLSARKLLQDILSRKEach bubble = one amino acid. Size = residue mass. Color = chemical class.Also known as: CJC-1295 DAC, DAC:GRF, Tetrasubstituted GRF(1-29)-Ala15-Leu27-NH2-DAC
A single subcutaneous injection raised IGF-1 levels for 9 to 11 days straight in a 65-person Phase I trial. CJC-1295 with DAC (Drug Affinity Complex) is a GHRH analog that locks onto circulating albumin, stretching the half-life from minutes to roughly eight days. The convenience is real: one or two injections per week instead of daily. The catch is equally real. ConjuChem's Phase II trial was discontinued in 2006 after one patient death, and no Phase III has followed. Community adoption runs well ahead of the clinical evidence, with 300 to 600 Reddit threads tracking real-world results.
Nine to 11 days of IGF-1 elevation from a single shot. That was the headline finding from Teichman and colleagues' Phase I trial [1] of CJC-1295 with DAC in 65 healthy adults across nine dose groups. The compound, also known by its Drug Affinity Complex designation (CAS 863288-34-0), is a modified GHRH(1-29) analog carrying a maleimido linker that covalently bonds to Cys34 on serum albumin after injection. That albumin hitchhike is the entire pharmacological story: it turns a peptide with a minutes-long half-life into one that persists for roughly eight days. The practical appeal is obvious. Where Mod GRF 1-29 (the no-DAC version) demands one to three daily fasted injections, the DAC form requires only one or two weekly shots. Community protocols settled on 1,000 to 2,000 mcg per week, doses well below the 30 to 120 mcg/kg single-dose range used in Phase I. Across 300 to 600 dedicated Reddit threads, users consistently report improved sleep within the first two weeks, body composition changes by months two and three, and water retention that ranks as the most common complaint. The science-to-practice gap here is larger than for most peptides. ConjuChem's Phase II trial for HIV-associated lipodystrophy stopped in 2006 following one participant death attributed to pre-existing coronary artery disease. No Phase III was attempted. The FDA's PCAC recommended against including CJC-1295 on the 503A bulk drug substance list in December 2024, closing the compliant US compounding route. What remains is a compound with solid single-dose PK data, strong community traction, and a clinical development program that never crossed the finish line.
CJC-1295 with DAC binds the GHRH receptor on pituitary somatotroph cells the same way native GHRH does. The difference is what happens after injection. A maleimido group built into the Drug Affinity Complex reacts with Cys34 on circulating serum albumin, forming a covalent bond within minutes of subcutaneous administration. That bioconjugation accomplishes two things: it shields the peptide from DPP-IV enzymatic cleavage (the reaction that destroys native GHRH in under 7 minutes) and it slows renal clearance because albumin is too large for glomerular filtration. The result is an elimination half-life of approximately 5.8 to 8.1 days (Teichman 2006)[1]. GH area-under-curve increased 2 to 10 fold across dose groups in Phase I. Ionescu and Frohman tracked what this meant for pulsatile secretion [2] and confirmed that GH pulses persist during DAC administration. The pattern isn't identical to physiology, though; tonic between-pulse GH levels rise alongside pulse amplitude, creating what the community calls "GH bleed." Sackmann-Sala's group later mapped the downstream serum protein changes from this sustained GH/IGF-1 axis activation [3]. Whether that tonic elevation carries long-term consequences remains an open question with no clinical data to settle it.
Phase I (Teichman 2006, n=65) confirmed dose-dependent GH/IGF-1 elevation (2–3× baseline) sustained 9–11 days after a single SC injection. Phase II (HIV lipodystrophy) discontinued 2006 after one patient death (attributed to pre-existing CAD). No Phase III completed; no approved therapeutic indication.
Teichman et al. 2006 (PMID 16352683): Phase I, n=65, 9 dose groups (30–120 mcg/kg); mean GH AUC increase 2–10×; IGF-1 elevation persisted 9–11 days
No completed Phase III RCT; Phase II discontinued; no chronic weekly dosing PK data; antibody formation in subset of Phase II participants; no direct comparison to exogenous GH for body composition outcomes
Effective for once-weekly GH/IGF-1 elevation and body recomposition; favored for dosing convenience over no-DAC. Polarizing: water retention and "GH bleed" (tonic vs. pulsatile debate) are top complaints. Vendor mislabeling a significant quality concern.
Science confirms GH/IGF-1 elevation mechanism and 8-day half-life pharmacokinetics. Community weekly dosing protocols (1–2 mg/week) are extrapolated empirically: they were not tested in Phase I (which used single doses of 2,250–9,000 mcg). No clinical data exists for the community dose range specifically. Phase II discontinuation and FDA 503A/503B rejection create a larger science-to-practice gap than most GH secretagogues.
| Level | Dose / Injection | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 1mg | Weekly |
| Moderate | 2mg | Weekly |
| Aggressive | 2mg | 2x/week |
Reconstitution math for common vial sizes. A 5 mg vial with 2 mL bacteriostatic water gives you 2,500 mcg per mL. For a 1,000 mcg dose, pull 40 units on a standard U-100 insulin syringe. For 2,000 mcg, pull 80 units. A 2 mg vial with 1 mL BAC water gives 2,000 mcg per mL; a 1,000 mcg dose is 50 units. Timing matters less with DAC than with the no-DAC form. You don't need to fast before injection. Evening dosing before bed is preferred because it complements natural nocturnal GH secretion, but the sustained release means missing that window by a few hours changes nothing meaningful. The thing most beginners miss is vendor verification. DAC synthesis requires maleimido-group bioconjugation chemistry that is far more complex than standard peptide production. Community mass spec testing has documented cases of no-DAC product sold as DAC. Request LC-MS/MS certificates of analysis; DAC molecular weight runs roughly 5.9 kDa versus 3.4 kDa for no-DAC. If your weekly injection doesn't hold IGF-1 raised for seven to nine days (testable with a mid-week blood draw), you may have the wrong compound.
Cycle to maintain pituitary sensitivity. The long half-life means steady-state is reached after 2-3 injections.
Anti-CJC-1295 antibody formation was documented in a subset of ConjuChem Phase II trial participants (2006). While antibodies did not produce immediate adverse effects in the trial, chronic weekly exposure carries an unknown long-term immunogenic risk. Sustained tonic GHRH receptor stimulation may shift GHRH receptor sensitivity over time (the "GH bleed" community concern), though Ionescu & Frohman 2007 (PMID 17018654) confirmed pulsatile GH secretion persists. Four weeks off after 12 weeks on is the established community protocol, with no clinical validation of the specific timing.
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Expected: Modest sustained IGF-1 elevation; improved sleep quality within 1–2 weeks; gradual improvement in recovery and skin quality over 3–4 months
Monitor: Baseline IGF-1 + IGFBP-3; fasting glucose. Recheck at week 4 and week 12.
Reconstitute the lyophilized vial by adding bacteriostatic water slowly along the glass wall. For a 5 mg vial, add 2 mL BAC water (2,500 mcg/mL). For a 2 mg vial, add 1 mL (2,000 mcg/mL). Swirl gently; never shake. Allow 5 minutes for complete dissolution.
Draw your dose with a 29 or 30 gauge insulin syringe (U-100 scale). Beginner: 1,000 mcg = 40 units from a 5 mg/2 mL vial, or 50 units from a 2 mg/1 mL vial. Moderate: 2,000 mcg = 80 units from a 5 mg/2 mL vial.
Choose a subcutaneous injection site: lower abdomen (2 inches from the navel), outer thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites each injection to prevent lipodystrophy.
Pinch the skin, insert the needle at a 45 degree angle, inject slowly, hold for 5 seconds before withdrawing.
For the advanced split protocol, inject Monday and Thursday evenings. Evening dosing before bed is preferred.
Fasting is not required before injection (unlike the no-DAC form). However, avoiding a large meal within 30 minutes is reasonable.
Store the reconstituted vial in the refrigerator at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. Use within 4 weeks. Keep away from light and temperature fluctuation.
Same dose; potentially faster Tmax vs. SC but pharmacological difference negligible given 8-day half-life
Not studied for CJC-1295 DAC specifically. Given the long half-life dominates PK, the route difference is clinically minor. SC remains standard in all clinical and community protocols.
GHRH (CJC-1295 DAC) + GHRP (Ipamorelin) combination produces synergistic GH release. Ipamorelin adds ghrelin-receptor pulse without cortisol or prolactin elevation. Most common community stack.
CJC-1295 DAC 2,000 mcg SC weekly + Ipamorelin 200–300 mcg SC 1–2× daily
Recovery and tissue repair focus. GH elevation from CJC-1295 DAC complements BPC-157 connective tissue repair signaling. Common in injury recovery protocols.
Systemic healing and injury recovery focus. GH axis activation from CJC-1295 DAC + TB-500 actin-modulation reported for musculoskeletal repair.
Older community GHRH + GHRP protocol. GHRP-2 is more potent than Ipamorelin for GH release but adds cortisol and prolactin. Used in aggressive GH protocols.
Combining two GHRH analogs provides no additive benefit and risks GHRH receptor saturation. The short-acting form (no-DAC) is redundant while DAC is active; the two should not be used simultaneously.
Do not combineRedundant GHRH mechanism. Combining with CJC-1295 DAC risks GHRH receptor desensitization from cumulative tonic stimulation. Choose one GHRH analog per cycle.
Do not combineRedundant GHRH mechanism; Tesamorelin is FDA-approved for HIV lipodystrophy: the same indication CJC-1295 DAC was trialed for. Combining is pharmacologically irrational.
Do not combineCombining a GH secretagogue with exogenous HGH creates additive IGF-1 elevation significantly amplifying cancer risk, fluid retention, and metabolic side effects. Requires full medical supervision and IGF-1/IGFBP-3 monitoring if combined.
Pricing updated 2026-04-09
Water retention is the defining side effect of CJC-1295 DAC, and it is more persistent than with any short-acting GHRH analog. The eight-day half-life means that once edema sets in, it takes three to four weeks (three to four half-lives) to fully clear after the last injection. Reducing dose from 2,000 to 1,000 mcg per week is the standard first response. If puffiness, swollen fingers, or tight shoes persist at the lower dose, stopping the compound entirely and waiting out the washout period is the right call. Joint pain and carpal tunnel symptoms represent the next tier of concern. These reflect raised synovial fluid from sustained GH activity. Community reports place carpal tunnel symptoms in a subset of users by months two to three, particularly at the aggressive 2,000 mcg twice-weekly protocol. Paresthesia (tingling or numbness in the extremities) appears related and tends to track with higher IGF-1 levels. If numbness progresses or becomes bilateral, that warrants stopping and medical evaluation, not dose adjustment. Blood glucose disruption deserves direct attention. Growth hormone antagonizes insulin action. Sustained GH elevation from CJC-1295 DAC can impair glucose metabolism in anyone with pre-existing insulin resistance or pre-diabetes. Fasting glucose and HbA1c monitoring at baseline, mid-cycle, and end-of-cycle is not optional for this compound. The Phase II trial discontinuation requires honest framing. One participant died following the 11th injection in ConjuChem's HIV lipodystrophy study in 2006. The attending physician attributed the death to pre-existing asymptomatic coronary artery disease, and no regulatory finding of causality was published. The company stopped development for commercial reasons. That single event does not constitute proof of cardiac toxicity, but the absence of follow-up trials means no one has systematically evaluated cardiac safety during chronic weekly dosing. Injection site reactions are generally mild: transient redness, slight induration, occasional warmth. Facial flushing is less common with the DAC form than with Mod GRF 1-29. Antibody formation was documented in a subset of Phase II participants. The clinical significance is unclear, but diminishing IGF-1 response over successive weeks, loss of early-cycle sleep benefits, or injection site hives may signal immune sensitization. The standard community response is cycling 12 weeks on, 4 weeks off. Pregnancy and breastfeeding are absolute contraindications. Active cancer or any history of malignancy rules out use because sustained GH/IGF-1 elevation promotes cell proliferation. Diabetes, active pituitary tumors, acute critical illness, and hypersensitivity to GHRH analogs are all contraindications that should not be worked around.
Verify CJC-1295 (DAC) dosing and safety with a second opinion
DAC synthesis requires maleimido-group bioconjugation chemistry significantly more complex than standard peptide synthesis: substitution with cheaper no-DAC (Mod GRF 1-29) is documented by community mass spec testing. FDA 503A/503B prohibition removes compliant compounding pharmacy oversight for US users. No FDA-approved reference product exists for comparison. Market is predominantly underground research vendors with variable quality control.
| Test | When | Target |
|---|---|---|
| IGF-1 | Baseline (before first injection); week 4; week 12 (end of cycle); 4 weeks into off-cycle | Upper-normal for age/sex (avoid exceeding 97th percentile for age); standard reference ranges vary by lab |
| IGFBP-3 | Same timing as IGF-1: always test together | IGF-1/IGFBP-3 molar ratio should remain within normal physiological range; flagging indicated if IGF-1 elevated but IGFBP-3 below mid-normal |
| Fasting glucose and HbA1c | Baseline; week 6; end of cycle | Fasting glucose <100 mg/dL; HbA1c <5.7% |
| Thyroid panel (TSH, fT4, fT3) | Baseline; end of cycle (week 12) | — |
Primary pharmacodynamic marker for GH axis activation; confirms compound authenticity and dose adequacy
IGFBP-3 binds and buffers free IGF-1; low IGFBP-3 + elevated IGF-1 = disproportionately elevated free IGF-1 with increased cancer signaling risk; IGF-1 alone is insufficient assessment
GH antagonizes insulin action; sustained GH elevation can impair glucose metabolism, particularly in individuals with pre-diabetes or insulin resistance
GH accelerates peripheral T4-to-T3 conversion; can unmask subclinical hypothyroidism or alter thyroid hormone ratios in users on thyroid medication
Improved sleep quality and mild water retention as GH and IGF-1 levels rise. Sustained GH elevation begins within hours of first injection.
Recovery between training sessions improves. Skin hydration and quality begin to improve. Energy and mood stabilize.
Visible body composition changes: reduced abdominal fat, improved muscle fullness. Joint and connective tissue recovery accelerates.
Peak anti-aging and body composition benefits. Sustained fat loss with preserved lean mass. Hair and nail growth may accelerate.
Benefits plateau. Cycle off for 4 weeks to restore pituitary sensitivity before restarting.
Week 1 to 2: GH levels start climbing within hours of the first injection. IGF-1 follows by day three or four, peaking around day seven to nine. Most users notice deeper sleep and vivid dreams first. Mild puffiness and water retention show up by day four or five; occasional headache is possible but less common than with the no-DAC form. Weeks 3 to 4: Steady-state IGF-1 approaches after two to three weekly injections. Recovery between training sessions picks up noticeably. Skin hydration and texture improve. Water retention either stabilizes or needs dose management. Some users report tingling in fingers and toes at this stage. Months 2 to 3: Body composition changes become visible. Abdominal fat decreases, muscle fullness improves, and connective tissue recovery accelerates. Sackmann-Sala's group [3] documented serum protein profile shifts consistent with sustained GH/IGF-1 axis activation during this window. Hair and nail growth speed up. Carpal tunnel symptoms appear in a subset of users; blood glucose may shift if not monitored. Months 3 to 4: Anti-aging and body composition benefits hit their peak. Fat loss continues with preserved lean mass. Joint and connective tissue recovery remains strong. GH-related side effects (edema, paresthesia) tend to be most pronounced here. Insulin sensitivity may decrease, making glucose monitoring more important. Month 5 and beyond: Benefits plateau. The standard move is cycling off for four weeks to restore GHRH receptor sensitivity. Most side effects resolve within three to four weeks of stopping. Users commonly report significant water loss in the first seven to ten days off-cycle. No clinical data confirms or refutes the specific 12-on/4-off timing, but antibody formation documented in Phase II participants supports periodic breaks.
GH AUC increases within hours of first injection (Teichman 2006); IGF-1 begins rising by day 3–4. Peak IGF-1 at approximately day 7–9 post-injection.
Improved sleep depth and vivid dreams. Mild puffiness/water retention beginning by day 4–5. Some users report mild headache or joint fluid increase.
Steady-state IGF-1 levels approaching after 2–3 weekly injections. GH axis running at elevated tonic + preserved pulsatile pattern.
Faster recovery between training sessions. Improved skin hydration and texture noted. Some users report improved mood and energy. Water retention may stabilize or require dose management.
Sustained IGF-1 elevation drives GH-mediated lipolysis and protein anabolic signaling. Serum protein profile changes documented in Sackmann-Sala 2009 (PMID 19386527).
Reduced abdominal fat, improved muscle fullness, connective tissue improvement. Hair and nail growth acceleration commonly noted.
No clinical data at 3–4 months from sustained weekly protocols; extrapolated from GH/IGF-1 axis physiology.
Full anti-aging and body composition benefits established. Sustained fat loss with preserved lean mass. Joint and connective tissue recovery continues.
No clinical data on benefit plateau timeline. Antibody formation documented in Phase II participants: clinical relevance for weekly chronic dosing unknown.
Benefits plateau at this stage. Cycle off 4 weeks to restore GHRH receptor sensitivity. Most side effects resolve within 3–4 weeks of stopping. Many users report significant water loss in first 7–10 days off-cycle.
Source: Estimated t½ 5.8-8.1 days via albumin bioconjugation (Teichman et al. 2006 PMID 16352683)
Loading the interactive decay curve.
CJC-1295 with DAC holds no FDA approval for any indication. It is classified as a research chemical in the United States. The FDA's Pharmacy Compounding Advisory Committee recommended against including CJC-1295 on the 503A bulk drug substance list in December 2024 (docket FDA-2024-N-4777), and the compound is absent from the 503B outsourcing facility list. Most compliant US compounding pharmacies have stopped producing it. Possession for personal research use occupies a legal gray area that varies by state. CJC-1295 DAC is not scheduled under the Controlled Substances Act. For competitive athletes, growth hormone secretagogues are prohibited by WADA under section S2 (peptide hormones and growth factors). Any athlete subject to drug testing should assume this compound triggers a violation. This content is for educational and research reference only. It does not constitute medical advice, and nothing here should be interpreted as a recommendation to use, purchase, or administer this compound. Consult a licensed healthcare provider before using any peptide.
Peptide Schedule Research TeamReviewed Apr 20265 Citations
