Side-by-side · Research reference
ARA 290vsCJC-1295 (no DAC)
Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.
APhase 2HUMAN-REVIEWED17/59 cited
BPhase 1HUMAN-REVIEWED15/51 cited
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Short-acting GHRH · No DAC variant
SQ · Pre-sleep · 1–2×/day
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
ARA 290
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Primary target
Innate repair receptor (EPO receptor / CD131 heterodimer)
Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006
Pathway
EPO/CD131 → JAK2 activation → PI3K/AKT, MAPK signaling → anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic cascades
GHRH-R → Gαs → cAMP → PKA → GH vesicle exocytosisTeichman 2006
Downstream effect
Tissue protection, nerve fiber regeneration, suppression of inflammatory macrophage activation, altered T-cell differentiation (↑Treg, ↑Th2, ↓Th1)Liu 2014Culver 2017
Pulsatile GH release matching physiological pattern; subsequent IGF-1 elevationIonescu 2006
Feedback intact?
N/A — does not interact with hematopoietic EPO receptorLiu 2014
Yes — short pulse preserves somatostatin negative feedbackIonescu 2006
Origin
11-amino-acid sequence from EPO helix B, engineered to eliminate hematopoietic activity while retaining tissue-protective properties
Modified human GRF 1-29 with four substitutions (D-Ala²/Gln⁸/Ala¹⁵/Leu²⁷) for protease resistanceTeichman 2006
Antibody development
Not reported in clinical trials
Not reported in short-term studies
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
ARA 290
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Standard dose (Phase 2)
4 mg / dayBrines 2015Culver 2017
Sarcoidosis SFN and diabetic neuropathy trials.
—
Frequency
Once daily
Self-administered subcutaneously.
1–2× daily (pre-sleep ± morning)
Duration
28 days (Phase 2)Culver 2017
Corneal nerve improvements observed by day 28.
8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)
Evidence basis
Phase 2 RCTsCulver 2017Brines 2015
64-subject sarcoidosis trial, type 2 diabetes trial.
Phase 1 (CJC-1295 with DAC); analog dataTeichman 2006Ionescu 2006
No-DAC variant is less studied directly; PK extrapolated from native GHRH.
Timing
Any time of day
No circadian dependence reported.
Pre-sleep + fasted preferred
Lower / starter dose
—
50 mcg per dose
Reconstitution
—
Bacteriostatic water
Half-life
—
~30 minIonescu 2006
Short pulse vs CJC-1295-DAC (~8 days). Choose no-DAC for pulsatile, DAC for sustained.
03Metabolic / Fat Loss Evidence
Parameter
ARA 290
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Primary effect
Improved metabolic control (HbA1c, fasting glucose)Brines 2015
Secondary to neuropathy treatment; direct lipolytic effects not established.
—
HbA1c
Significant reduction vs placebo
Observed in type 2 diabetes + neuropathy trial.
—
Fasting glucose
Improved in ARA 290 group
—
Body composition
Not directly quantified
Fat loss not a primary endpoint; metabolic improvements may reflect insulin sensitivity.
—
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
ARA 290
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Injection site reaction
Mild, transient
Erythema, mild pruritus
Hematopoiesis
None — non-erythropoietic
Distinguishes ARA 290 from native EPO.
—
Cardiovascular
No thrombotic events or hypertension reported
—
Immunogenicity
No antibody formation reported
—
Flushing / headache
—
Common transient effect
Cortisol elevation
—
Minimal at standard doses
Prolactin elevation
—
Minimal
Glucose intolerance
—
Possible at high cumulative doses
IGF-1 elevation
—
Dose-dependent; monitor with chronic use
Cancer risk
—
Contraindicated in active malignancy (GH/IGF-1 axis)
Pregnancy / OB
—
Avoid
Absolute Contraindications
ARA 290
- ·Hypersensitivity to ARA 290
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- ·Active malignancy or cancer history
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
Relative Contraindications
ARA 290
- ·Active malignancy (theoretical EPO-axis concern; not observed in trials)
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- ·Untreated diabetes
- ·Severe insulin resistance
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
ARA 290
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
1. Preparation
Reconstitute lyophilised powder per manufacturer instructions. Use sterile technique.
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 2 mg vial → 1 mg/mL = 100 mcg per 0.1 mL. Roll gently.
2. Injection site
Subcutaneous — abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites to avoid lipohypertrophy.
Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
3. Timing
Once daily, any time of day. Self-administered in Phase 2 trials.Brines 2015
Pre-sleep preferred. Often combined with ipamorelin in the same syringe.
4. Dosing
4 mg daily for 28 days (Phase 2 protocol). Duration for chronic use not established.Culver 2017
Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.
5. Storage
Lyophilised: store at controlled room temperature. Reconstituted: refrigerate, use within specified timeframe.
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
06Stack Synergy
ARA 290
+ BPC-157
ModerateARA 290 targets the innate repair receptor (EPO/CD131) for nerve regeneration and anti-inflammatory signaling, while BPC-157 promotes angiogenesis and tissue repair through distinct mechanisms (likely involving VEGF, growth hormone receptor pathways). Combined, they may address both neuroinflammation and structural tissue repair in neuropathy or injury models. No direct clinical data; mechanistic overlap in tissue protection.
- ARA 290
- 4 mg SQ · daily
- BPC-157
- 250–500 mcg SQ · daily
- Frequency
- Once daily, same or separate injections
- Primary benefit
- Nerve regeneration, pain reduction, tissue healing
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
+ Ipamorelin
StrongCJC-1295 (no DAC) and ipamorelin are the canonical "GHRH + GHRP" dual-axis stack at physiological timing. Both peak within 30 min and clear within 2 hours, producing a sharp, high-amplitude GH pulse closely resembling natural physiology. Preferred over the CJC-1295-DAC + ipamorelin stack when pulsatility (vs sustained elevation) is the goal.
- CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- 100 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
- Ipamorelin
- 200–300 mcg SQ · same injection
- Primary benefit
- Pulsatile GH stimulation, recovery, body composition