Side-by-side · Research reference
CJC-1295 (no DAC)vsSermorelin
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 3Reviewed14/43 cited
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Short-acting GHRH · No DAC variant
SQ · Pre-sleep · 1–2×/day
Sermorelin
GHRH 1-29 fragment · Short-acting
SQ · Pre-sleep · 1×/day
01Mechanism of Action
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Sermorelin
Pathway
GHRH-R → Gαs → cAMP → PKA → GH vesicle exocytosisTeichman 2006
GHRH-R → Gαs → cAMP → PKA → GH vesicle exocytosisWalker 1994
Downstream effect
Pulsatile GH release matching physiological pattern; subsequent IGF-1 elevationIonescu 2006
Pulsatile GH release; subsequent IGF-1 elevationMolteno 2013
Feedback intact?
Yes — short pulse preserves somatostatin negative feedbackIonescu 2006
Yes — short pulse preserves feedback
Origin
Modified human GRF 1-29 with four substitutions (D-Ala²/Gln⁸/Ala¹⁵/Leu²⁷) for protease resistanceTeichman 2006
Unmodified active 29-AA fragment of human GHRH (1-44)Walker 1994
Antibody development
Not reported in short-term studies
—
02Dosage Protocols
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Sermorelin
Standard dose
100 mcg per injectionTeichman 2006
Often paired with ipamorelin in same syringe.
100–500 mcg per injectionMolteno 2013
Frequency
1–2× daily (pre-sleep ± morning)
Once daily, pre-sleep
Lower / starter dose
50 mcg per dose
100 mcg per dose
Evidence basis
Phase 1 (CJC-1295 with DAC); analog dataTeichman 2006Ionescu 2006
No-DAC variant is less studied directly; PK extrapolated from native GHRH.
Phase 3 (Geref pediatric); clinical practiceWalker 1994Molteno 2013
Duration
8–12 weeks on / 4 off (anecdotal)
8–12 weeks per cycle
Reconstitution
Bacteriostatic water
Bacteriostatic water
Timing
Pre-sleep + fasted preferred
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.
~12 min (plasma)Molteno 2013
Shorter than tesamorelin (~26 min) — simpler GHRH analogue.
04Side Effects & Safety
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Sermorelin
Injection site reaction
Erythema, mild pruritus
Mild erythema, transient pain
Flushing / headache
Common transient effect
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
Modest at standard doses
Cancer risk
Contraindicated in active malignancy (GH/IGF-1 axis)
Contraindicated in active malignancy (GH/IGF-1 axis)
Pregnancy / OB
Avoid
Avoid
Glucose handling
—
Generally neutral
Absolute Contraindications
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- ·Active malignancy or cancer history
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
Sermorelin
- ·Active malignancy
- ·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
- ·Disrupted hypothalamic-pituitary axis
Relative Contraindications
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
- ·Untreated diabetes
- ·Severe insulin resistance
Sermorelin
- ·Untreated diabetes
05Administration Protocol
Parameter
CJC-1295 (no DAC)
Sermorelin
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 5 mg vial → 2.5 mg/mL = 250 mcg per 0.1 mL.
2. Injection site
Subcutaneous, abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
SQ — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.
3. Timing
Pre-sleep preferred. Often combined with ipamorelin in the same syringe.
Pre-sleep, fasted.
4. Storage
Lyophilised: room temp, protected from light. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within 30 days.
Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.
5. Needle
29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.
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
Sermorelin
+ Ipamorelin
StrongSermorelin (GHRH analogue) and ipamorelin (selective GHRP) form the prototypical GHRH+GHRP dual-axis stack at the lowest cost. Both peak within 30 min and produce a sharp physiological GH pulse without cortisol/prolactin elevation.
- Sermorelin
- 200–300 mcg SQ · pre-sleep
- Ipamorelin
- 200–300 mcg SQ · same injection
- Primary benefit
- Pulsatile GH stimulation, recovery, body composition