Side-by-side · Research reference
CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsPT-141
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-ApprovedReviewed13/41 cited
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Short-acting GHRH · No DAC variant
SQ · Pre-sleep · 1–2×/day
PT-141
MC4R Agonist · FDA-Approved (HSDD)
SQ · Abdomen / thigh · ≥45 min before sex
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
PT-141
Primary target
Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006
Melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) in hypothalamusSimerly 2023VYLEESI (bremelanotide injecti 2019
Pathway
GHRH-R → Gαs → cAMP → PKA → GH vesicle exocytosisTeichman 2006
MC4R agonism in paraventricular nucleus → autonomic + neuroendocrine sexual arousal pathwaysSimerly 2023
Downstream effect
Pulsatile GH release matching physiological pattern; subsequent IGF-1 elevationIonescu 2006
Increased sexual desire and arousal; central rather than peripheral mechanismClayton 2015
Origin
Modified human GRF 1-29 with four substitutions (D-Ala²/Gln⁸/Ala¹⁵/Leu²⁷) for protease resistanceTeichman 2006
Cyclic 7-AA peptide derived from α-MSH (agonist Ac-Nle-Asp-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-Lys-OH cyclic)VYLEESI (bremelanotide injecti 2019
Antibody development
Not reported in short-term studies
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02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
PT-141
Standard dose
100 mcg per injectionTeichman 2006
Often paired with ipamorelin in same syringe.
1.75 mg SQVYLEESI (bremelanotide injecti 2019
Single dose ≥45 min before anticipated sexual activity. Max 1 dose / 24 hr.
Frequency
1–2× daily (pre-sleep ± morning)
PRN, max 8 doses / month
Lower / starter dose
50 mcg per dose
1 mg (off-label)
Evidence basis
Phase 1 (CJC-1295 with DAC); analog dataTeichman 2006Ionescu 2006
No-DAC variant is less studied directly; PK extrapolated from native GHRH.
FDA-approved (HSDD pre-menopausal women)VYLEESI (bremelanotide injecti 2019Clayton 2015
Duration
8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)
PRN; reassess if no benefit after 8 doses
Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water
Pre-filled commercial pen (Vyleesi). Research vial: bacteriostatic water.
Timing
Pre-sleep + fasted preferred
≥45 min before sexual activity
Half-life
~30 minIonescu 2006
Short pulse vs CJC-1295-DAC (~8 days). Choose no-DAC for pulsatile, DAC for sustained.
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
PT-141
Injection site reaction
Erythema, mild pruritus
Erythema, mild pain
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
Flushing
—
Common, transient
Headache
—
Common
Hyperpigmentation (focal)
—
Rare focal skin darkening; reversible after discontinuationVYLEESI (bremelanotide injecti 2019
Hypertension (transient)
—
Mean ↑6 mmHg systolic peaking ~4 h post-dose; resolves within 12 hVYLEESI (bremelanotide injecti 2019
Cardiovascular disease
—
Use caution; transient BP rise
Absolute Contraindications
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- ·Active malignancy or cancer history
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
PT-141
- ·Uncontrolled hypertension
- ·Known cardiovascular disease (caution)
- ·Pregnancy
Relative Contraindications
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- ·Untreated diabetes
- ·Severe insulin resistance
PT-141
- ·Pre-existing hyperpigmentation disorders
- ·MC4R-pathway-dependent psychiatric conditions
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
PT-141
1. Reconstitution
Add 2 mL bacteriostatic water to 2 mg vial → 1 mg/mL = 100 mcg per 0.1 mL. Roll gently.
Vyleesi: pre-filled auto-injector. Research vial: 2 mL bacteriostatic water per 10 mg → 5 mg/mL.
2. Injection site
Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
SQ — abdomen or thigh.
3. Timing
Pre-sleep preferred. Often combined with ipamorelin in the same syringe.
≥45 min before sexual activity for peak effect. Effect persists ~6–8 h.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.
Vyleesi: room temp ≤30 °C. Research vial: refrigerate after reconstitution.
5. Needle
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
Auto-injector (Vyleesi) or 29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
06Stack Synergy
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
PT-141
— no documented stacks