Side-by-side · Research reference

CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsRetatrutide

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 2Reviewed10/41 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

Retatrutide

Triple-receptor agonist · Phase 3

1–12 mgWeekly doseJastreboff 2023

24.2%Body-weight ↓Jastreboff 2023

~6 daysHalf-life (est)

SQ · Abdomen · Once weekly

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Retatrutide

Primary target

Pituitary GHRH receptorTeichman 2006

GLP-1R + GIPR + Glucagon receptor (triple agonism)Jastreboff 2023

Pathway

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

Triple-receptor activation → ↑insulin (GLP-1+GIP), ↓gastric emptying, ↑lipid handling, ↑energy expenditure (glucagon component)Jastreboff 2023

Downstream effect

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

Maximal weight loss across class. Glucagon component drives lipolysis and energy expenditure beyond GLP-1+GIP aloneJastreboff 2023

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

Synthetic peptide engineered for balanced affinity at three incretin / glucagon receptorsJastreboff 2023

Antibody development

Not reported in short-term studies

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Retatrutide

Standard dose

100 mcg per injectionTeichman 2006

Often paired with ipamorelin in same syringe.

12 mg / week (max efficacy)Jastreboff 2023

Phase 2 trial dose. Phase 3 dosing TBD.

Frequency

1–2× daily (pre-sleep ± morning)

Once weekly

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.

Phase 2 trial; Phase 3 ongoingJastreboff 2023

Duration

8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)

Indefinite for chronic indication (presumed)

Reconstitution

Bacteriostatic water

Investigational; not commercially available

Timing

Pre-sleep + fasted preferred

Any time of day

Half-life

~30 minIonescu 2006

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

~6 days (estimated from class)

Titration schedule

—

2 mg → 4 mg → 8 mg → 12 mg over 16 weeks

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Retatrutide

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

Avoid (insufficient data)

GI symptoms

—

Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (very common, dose-dependent)Jastreboff 2023

Heart rate

—

↑ resting HR (3–7 bpm at 12 mg)Jastreboff 2023

Glucose handling

—

Glycemic improvement; rare hyperglycemia from glucagon component

Pancreatitis risk

—

Class warning

Thyroid C-cell tumours

—

Class warning (presumed)

Absolute Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

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

Retatrutide

·MTC personal or family history (presumed class effect)
·Pregnancy / breastfeeding

Relative Contraindications

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

·Untreated diabetes
·Severe insulin resistance

Retatrutide

·Severe gastroparesis
·History of pancreatitis
·Severe cardiovascular disease (HR signal)

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

CJC-1295 (no DAC)

Retatrutide

1. Reconstitution

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

Investigational peptide. Research vials reconstituted with bacteriostatic water per label.

2. Injection site

Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

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

3. Timing

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

Once weekly, same day.

4. Storage

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

Refrigerate 2–8 °C. Light-protected.

5. Needle

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.

27–31G, 4–8 mm 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

Retatrutide

— no documented stacks