Side-by-side · Research reference

CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsLivagen

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

APhase 1HUMAN-REVIEWED15/51 cited

BAnimal-StrongHUMAN-REVIEWED20/32 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

Livagen

Khavinson Bioregulator · Hepatoprotective Tetrapeptide

50%Dipeptidase inhibitionTimofeeva 2005

Oral / SQRoutes tested

LiverTarget tissueKhavinson 2001

Oral or SQ · Tissue-specific to liver

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Livagen

Primary target

Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006

Hepatocyte protein synthesis machineryBrodskiĭ 2001

Pathway

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

Tissue-specific bioregulator → Hepatocyte stimulation → Protein synthesis normalizationBrodskiĭ 2001 Khavinson 2001

Downstream effect

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

Age-dependent enzyme normalization, hepatoprotection in fibrosis/hepatitis models, elevated protein synthesis in senescent hepatocytes

Feedback intact?

Yes — short pulse preserves somatostatin negative feedbackIonescu 2006

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Origin

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

Directed chemical synthesis from amino acid analysis of liver polypeptide preparations (Ventvil)

Antibody development

Not reported in short-term studies

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02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Livagen

Standard dose

100 mcg per injectionTeichman 2006

Often paired with ipamorelin in same syringe.

—

Frequency

1–2× daily (pre-sleep ± morning)

—

Lower / starter dose

50 mcg per dose

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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 models (rats, 1–24 months age); in vitro hepatocyte cultureTimofeeva 2005 Brodskiĭ 2001 Khavinson 2002

Duration

8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)

—

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

—

Timing

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

—

Half-life

~30 minIonescu 2006

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

—

Animal dose (oral)

—

Not specified in abstracts; 2-week administration protocolTimofeeva 2005

Per os administration in rats.

Duration (experimental)

—

2 weeks (enzyme study); up to 24 months (cell culture)Timofeeva 2005 Brodskiĭ 2001

Route

—

Oral or subcutaneous

Resists peptidase hydrolysis, enabling oral bioavailability.Timofeeva 2005

Human data

—

None in provided literature

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Livagen

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

—

Reported adverse effects

—

None documented in animal studies

Human safety data

—

No human trials in provided literature

Peptide hydrolysis

—

Weakly hydrolyzed; minimal breakdown by intestinal enzymesTimofeeva 2005

Absolute Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

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

Livagen

—

Relative Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance

Livagen

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05Administration Protocol

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Livagen

1. Reconstitution

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

Oral administration supported by peptidase resistance. Subcutaneous route used in organotypic culture experiments.Timofeeva 2005 Khavinson 2001

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

No specific timing documented. Two-week protocols used in animal models with daily administration.Timofeeva 2005

3. Timing

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

Elderly individuals may exhibit different enzyme normalization patterns than younger cohorts, based on rat age-stratified findings.Timofeeva 2005

4. Storage

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

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5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

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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

Livagen

— no documented stacks