Side-by-side · Research reference

CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsKPV

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

APhase 1Reviewed15/51 cited

BAnimal-StrongDraft13/39 cited

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Short-acting GHRH · No DAC variant

100 mcgPer doseTeichman 2006

~30 minHalf-lifeIonescu 2006

Phase 1Evidence levelTeichman 2006 Sigalos 2018

SQ · Pre-sleep · 1–2×/day

KPV

α-MSH C-terminal · Anti-inflammatory

200–500 mcgDaily doseDalle-Pang 2024

AnimalEvidence levelDalle-Pang 2024

HoursHalf-life (est)

SQ / oral / topical · Local · Daily or 2-3×/week

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

KPV

Primary target

Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006

Intracellular targets bypassing melanocortin receptors (proposed)Dalle-Pang 2024

Pathway

GHRH-R → Gαs → cAMP → PKA → GH vesicle exocytosisTeichman 2006

NF-κB inhibition + cytokine modulation (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) → reduced inflammationDalle-Pang 2024

Downstream effect

Pulsatile GH release matching physiological pattern; subsequent IGF-1 elevationIonescu 2006

Anti-inflammatory action without α-MSH pigmentation effects; gut barrier protectionDalle-Pang 2024

Feedback intact?

Yes — short pulse preserves somatostatin negative feedbackIonescu 2006

No melanocortin receptor binding

Origin

Modified human GRF 1-29 with four substitutions (D-Ala²/Gln⁸/Ala¹⁵/Leu²⁷) for protease resistanceTeichman 2006

Synthetic tripeptide; the C-terminal Lys-Pro-Val residues of α-MSH (residues 11-13)Dalle-Pang 2024

Antibody development

Not reported in short-term studies

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

KPV

Standard dose

100 mcg per injectionTeichman 2006

Often paired with ipamorelin in same syringe.

200–500 mcg / day SQ or oralDalle-Pang 2024

Frequency

1–2× daily (pre-sleep ± morning)

Daily or 2–3× per week

Lower / starter dose

50 mcg per dose

100 mcg / day

Evidence basis

Phase 1 (CJC-1295 with DAC); analog dataTeichman 2006 Ionescu 2006

No-DAC variant is less studied directly; PK extrapolated from native GHRH.

Animal-strong + emerging clinical data in IBDDalle-Pang 2024

Duration

8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)

4–8 weeks per cycle

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

Bacteriostatic water (SQ form)

Timing

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

No specific time; often taken with / before meals (oral)

Half-life

~30 minIonescu 2006

Short pulse vs CJC-1295-DAC (~8 days). Choose no-DAC for pulsatile, DAC for sustained.

Hours (estimated; rapid tissue uptake)

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

KPV

Injection site reaction

Erythema, mild pruritus

Mild irritation

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

Avoid — insufficient data

GI symptoms

—

Rare nausea (oral form)

Pigmentation

—

None (unlike full α-MSH)Dalle-Pang 2024

Long-term safety

—

Limited human data

Absolute Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

·Active malignancy or cancer history
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis

KPV

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Relative Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance

KPV

·Active autoimmune disease (theoretical)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

KPV

1. Reconstitution

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 2 mg vial → 1 mg/mL = 100 mcg per 0.1 mL. Roll gently.

Add 1 mL bacteriostatic water to vial per labelling.

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

SQ injection (acute), oral capsule (chronic / gut), topical for skin indications.

3. Timing

Pre-sleep preferred. Often combined with ipamorelin in the same syringe.

Morning preferred; oral form taken with / before meals.

4. Storage

Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.

Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

29–31G insulin syringe (SQ form).

06Stack Synergy

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

+ Ipamorelin

Strong

View Ipamorelin →

CJC-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

Teichman 2006 Raun 1998

KPV

+ BPC-157

Strong

View BPC-157 →

KPV (NF-κB inhibition, cytokine reduction) + BPC-157 (VEGF-driven angiogenesis, tissue regeneration) form the classic gut-healing stack. KPV reduces inflammatory drive; BPC-157 promotes mucosal repair. Anecdotally favoured for IBD, ulcerative colitis, and post-surgical gut recovery.

KPV: 200–500 mcg oral · daily
BPC-157: 250–500 mcg oral or SQ · daily
Primary benefit: Combined anti-inflammation + mucosal repair for gut conditions

Dalle-Pang 2024 Sikiric 2018