Side-by-side · Research reference

CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsLiraglutide

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

APhase 1Reviewed15/51 cited

BFDA-ApprovedVerified14/45 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

Liraglutide

Daily GLP-1 RA · FDA-Approved

0.6–3.0 mgDaily doseSAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014

5–10%Body-weight ↓SAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014

~13 hrHalf-lifeSAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014

SQ · Abdomen / thigh / arm · Once daily

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Liraglutide

Primary target

Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006

GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R)SAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014

Pathway

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

GLP-1R agonism → ↑glucose-dependent insulin, ↓glucagon, ↓gastric emptying, ↓appetiteSAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014 Marso 2016

Downstream effect

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

Glycemic improvement, modest body-weight reduction, cardiovascular event reduction in high-risk T2DMarso 2016

Feedback intact?

Yes — short pulse preserves somatostatin negative feedbackIonescu 2006

Glucose-dependent insulin release preserves physiological feedback

Origin

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

Modified GLP-1(7-37) with Lys26 substitution (Arg34) and C-16 palmitoyl-glutamate acylation for albumin bindingSAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014

Antibody development

Not reported in short-term studies

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Liraglutide

Standard dose

100 mcg per injectionTeichman 2006

Often paired with ipamorelin in same syringe.

—

Frequency

1–2× daily (pre-sleep ± morning)

Once daily, same time each day

Lower / starter dose

50 mcg per dose

—

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.

FDA-approved · Phase 3 RCTs (LEADER, SCALE)Marso 2016 SAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014

Duration

8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)

Indefinite for chronic indication

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

Pre-filled commercial pen (no reconstitution)

Timing

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

Any time of day; consistent

Half-life

~30 minIonescu 2006

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

~13 hrSAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014

Standard dose (T2D, Victoza)

—

1.2–1.8 mg / daySAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014

Standard dose (weight, Saxenda)

—

3.0 mg / day (after 5-week titration)SAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014

Titration schedule

—

0.6 → 1.2 → 1.8 → 2.4 → 3.0 mg over 5 weeks

Mitigates GI side effects.

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Liraglutide

Injection site reaction

Erythema, mild pruritus

—

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

Contraindicated

GI symptoms

—

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (very common during titration)SAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014

Pancreatitis risk

—

Rare; discontinue if suspected

Thyroid C-cell tumours

—

Boxed warning — contraindicated in MEN2 / MTC historySAXENDA (liraglutide) injectio 2014

Hypoglycemia

—

Low risk as monotherapy; elevated with sulfonylureas / insulin

Heart rate

—

Modest ↑ resting HR (~2-3 bpm)

Cardiovascular benefit

—

↓ MACE in high-risk T2D (LEADER trial)Marso 2016

Absolute Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

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

Liraglutide

·MTC personal or family history; MEN2
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Hypersensitivity to liraglutide

Relative Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance

Liraglutide

·Severe gastroparesis
·History of pancreatitis
·Severe gastrointestinal disease

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Liraglutide

1. Reconstitution

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

Commercial pre-filled pen, no reconstitution required.

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

SQ — abdomen, thigh, or upper arm. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

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

Once daily, same time each day. Take with or without food.

4. Storage

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

Refrigerate 2–8 °C unopened; room temp ≤30 °C up to 30 days after first use.

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

Pen-supplied 32G needle.

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

Liraglutide

— no documented stacks