Side-by-side · Research reference

CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsMelanotan-II

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

APhase 1Reviewed15/51 cited

BPhase 1Reviewed9/43 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

Melanotan-II

MC1R + MC4R agonist · Tanning + sexual response

0.25–1.0 mgPer doseDorr 1996

Phase 1Evidence levelDorr 1996

~1 hrHalf-life

SQ · Abdomen · Loading 5–7 days, then maintenance

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Melanotan-II

Primary target

Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006

MC1R (skin) + MC3R + MC4R (CNS sexual / appetite)Dorr 1996

Pathway

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

MC1R agonism → melanocyte tyrosinase → eumelanin synthesis. MC4R → autonomic sexual arousal centresDorr 1996 Simerly 2023

Downstream effect

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

Skin darkening, photo-protection, increased sexual desire / spontaneous erectionDorr 1996

Feedback intact?

Yes — short pulse preserves somatostatin negative feedbackIonescu 2006

—

Origin

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

Cyclic 7-AA modified α-MSH analog; designed at University of ArizonaDorr 1996

Antibody development

Not reported in short-term studies

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Melanotan-II

Standard dose

100 mcg per injectionTeichman 2006

Often paired with ipamorelin in same syringe.

—

Frequency

1–2× daily (pre-sleep ± morning)

Daily during loading; 1–2× per week maintenance

Lower / starter dose

50 mcg per dose

0.1 mg / day

Conservative starter — assess tolerability for nausea.

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.

Phase 1 + anecdotalDorr 1996

Duration

8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)

8–12 weeks per cycle

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

Bacteriostatic water; protect from light

Timing

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

Evening preferred (24h tan-development cycle)

Half-life

~30 minIonescu 2006

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

~1 hour plasma; effects on melanocytes persist days

Loading phase

—

0.25–0.5 mg/day SQ × 5–7 daysDorr 1996

Builds up to visible tan.

Maintenance

—

0.5–1.0 mg 1–2×/week

After visible tan develops; supports with UV exposure.

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Melanotan-II

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

Nausea

—

Common, especially loading phase

Flushing

—

Common transient

Spontaneous erection

—

Common in men — MC4R cross-effectDorr 1996

Increased mole / freckle pigmentation

—

Existing moles darken; new lesions possible

Melanoma risk

—

Theoretical concern — increased melanocyte activity; CAUTION in melanoma history

Appetite suppression

—

MC4R-mediated; mild

Absolute Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

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

Melanotan-II

·History of melanoma or atypical mole syndrome
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Active uncontrolled hypertension

Relative Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance

Melanotan-II

·Significant freckling / dysplastic nevus
·Personal or family melanoma history

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Melanotan-II

1. Reconstitution

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

Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 10 mg vial → 5 mg/mL = 500 mcg per 0.1 mL. Light-protected.

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

SQ — abdomen. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

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

Evening preferred. UV exposure (sunlight or tanning bed) helps develop tan.

4. Storage

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

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

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

29–31G insulin syringe.

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

Melanotan-II

— no documented stacks